Geneva Motor Show 2013: Alfa Romeo

The 4C is unveiled in the flesh - at last. But we're still in the dark about some of the facts...

There’s been so much talk about the 4C on PH over the last few months – and so much conflicting information – that it’s become hard to know what to think of Alfa’s newest sports car.

In some ways the wait is over – although in others, it isn’t. Because what Alfa’s actually unveiled today is the 4C ‘Launch Edition’ – a special run of 1,000 units that’ll celebrate the launch of the new car. So we’ve been given the spec for this, but as yet we don’t know how it’ll differ from the standard car.

Looks nice from the rear...

For example, the price: the Launch Edition will sell for 60,000 Euro (around £51,600) in Europe. What that doesn’t tell us a) how much it’ll sell for over in the UK (though we’ve asked the question, and will let you know when we do), or b) how much the standard, non-Launch-Edition car will go for.

What is a pretty safe bet is that the standard car will get the same mid-mounted 1.75-litre direct-injection turbo, and in the same 240hp state of tune as the Launch Edition, too. It’ll feature a carbon-fibre monocoque that, assuming Alfa’s previous statement that the 4C would weigh 4kg/hp is correct, will keep weight down to 960kg. The result? 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, and a top speed of “over 155mph”. We’ll also get Alfa’s TCT dual-clutch gearbox, and a new ‘Race’ mode for the Alfa DNA system.

We’ve got dimensions for the 4C for the first time, too: 3.9 metres long, two metres wide, and 1.2 metres high, with a wheelbase of 2.4m. In other words, it’ll be shorter than a Cayman, oft-touted as the chief rival for the 4C, but wider, and around the same height. Notably, though, its wheelbase will be similar, suggesting it’ll have shorter overhangs and more of a ‘wheel in each corner’ stance.

Interior shows off carbon fibre monocoque

The standard car, however, won’t get the ‘Bianco Carrara’ paintwork, which will be unique to the Launch Edition, though the special will also be available in ‘Alfa Red’, which should make it to the standard 4C. However, a smattering of carbon-fibre body parts, namely the headlights, spoiler and wing mirrors will all be unique to the Launch Edition. It’ll also get an aluminium rear diffuser, Bi-LED projector headlights and dark alloy wheels – 18” up front and 19” at the back. Launch Edition buyers will also be offered the chance to take part in an advanced driving session with professional instructors over in Italy, to ‘learn how to make the most of the potential of Alfa Romeo 4C safely’.

While the 4C is the big news from Alfa’s stand this year, it will be joined by the Gloria, officially only a concept at present, but a car which, Alfa says, is intended to help it raise its profile in Asian and American markets. It’s been designed in conjunction with the European Design Institute in Turin in order, Alfa says, to get a "completely independent interpretation of a new Alfa Romeo saloon".

In other words, while production of something that looks like this is a long way off, don’t be surprised if you see a larger-than-Giulia saloon coming soon to Alfa’s range, with the express purpose of taking the brand into more lucrative international markets.

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BBS-LM

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