Wow! Words can't describe how good this thing looks and with a X-Bow chassis underneath it will be an amazing drive.
Alfa’s 4C Concept makes an entrance
Meet Alfa’s new halo car! The 4C Concept has made its debut at the Geneva show, and previews a new range-topping coupe that’s set to go on sale at the end of 2012.
The 4C is a spiritual successor to the Duetto Spider – a stylish, affordable two-seater which went out of production in 1994. The new car will cost around £38,000 when it hits showrooms at a similar time to Alfa’s new Giulia, which replaces the 159.
The design of the 4C draws heavily on Alfa’s previous 8C supercar and the limited edition 33 Stradale of the late 1960s. Built entirely from carbon fibre, the car’s body has been designed with lines that are supposed to be “graceful and clean.”
Under the skin, the 4C uses an evolution of the composite chassis and tub that was created by Italian firm Dallara for KTM’s X-Bow. In the Alfa, the composite cockpit remains, but has been redesigned to incorporate a pair of doors, while the front and rear subframes are made from aluminium. This keeps weight down below 850kg.
The rear-engined layout of the X-Bow remains, but power comes from a 250bhp version of the 1.75-litre turbo petrol engine found in the Giulietta. The engine drives the rear wheels through Alfa’s TCT twin-clutch gearbox.
Alfa claims that the 4C should sprint from 0-62mph in under five seconds, and hit a top speed of over 155mph. The car also uses an evolution of the motorsport-inspired suspension set up of the X-Bow, and features a 40-60 front to rear weight distribution, which should ensure lively handling.
At present, Alfa plans to built around 20,000 versions of the 4C over a five-year production run. It is yet to decide whether the car will be sold in the US, but the firm has confirmed that there will also be a more stripped-out version it will brand as an Abarth model.
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