Alfa Romeo’s 4C (concept pictured above) will spearhead the brand’s reintroduction to the U.S. market and about a year after it goes on sale here, a convertible version will debut.
The car was originally rumored to debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, but now it is said to be ahead of schedule, and should be seen in production spec sometime in 2013.
The 4C will be powered by Alfa Romeo’s 230-hp turbo inline four-cylinder, and thanks to an estimated weight of under 2,000 lbs., should make the sprint to 62 mph in just 4.5 seconds. This weight saving comes from the use of an aluminum engine block, carbon fiber tub, aluminum sub-frame, and exterior panels made from sheet-molded composites.
Fiat’s engineering chief, Mauro Pierallini, said that the 4C is targeting a €45,000 (approx. $55,000) price tag, which slots it to compete directly with the Lotus Elise S, which will still make less horsepower at 217 hp with a supercharged four cylinder and roughly the same weight between both cars.
[Source: Autocar]