There's been so much guesswork and conjecture surrounding Alfa Romeo's plans to develop a compact spin-off of its stunning 8C supercar. So now we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief as the Italian carmaker unveils the 4C Concept at this year's Geneva Show and, yes, it's a stunner…
This two-seater, rear-wheel drive sports coupé sits on a wheelbase measuring just 2,4 metres long and has an overall length of about 4 metres – similar dimensions to the likes of the Lotus Elise. Another Elise-esque aspect of the car is the mid-rear mounted engine configuration, which lends the car a 40/60 front/rear weight distribution.
As the 4C nomenclature suggests, Alfa has chosen to slot a powerful 4-cylinder petrol unit into the Concept’s engine bay. The unit in question is the 1,8-litre Turbo Multi-Air lifted from the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde. Mated with the twin dry clutch TCT transmission lifted from the Mito, this unit develops 173 kW. Factor in a body construction inspired by the 8C (read carbon fibre body and lightweight aluminium chassis) that results in a kerb weight of just 850 kg, and Alfa’s claimed 0-100 km/h time of under 5 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h are entirely believable.
In addition to a sophisticated suspension set-up comprising a high quadrilateral configuration at the front and MacPherson struts at the rear the 4RC also features Alfa’s DNA system, which allows the driver to select three preset driving modes that determine throttle response, steering weight, overboost from the engine and the degree of assistance from the traction control system.
Alfa Romeo will take the 4C to production soon, although whether such expensive features as the carbon fibre bodywork will make it past the finance department remains to be seen. Sales of the 4C are expected to commence in 2012.
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