Due in Australia early next year, Alfa Romeo UK has announced preliminary details on the 4C two-seat sports car.
Alfa displayed the 4C at the Frankfurt Motor Show and the international media launch is scheduled for next week.
Production will take place at the Maserati plant and the Alfa Romeo 4C – a ‘thoroughbred’ which Alfa says marks its return to lightweight sports cars – features a Formula 1-derived carbon-fibre monocoque which weight just 65kgs.
SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound) which is lighter than both steel and aluminium is used for the bodywork and even the glass has been thinned-down by 15 per-cent to reduce weight.
The Alfa Romeo 4C is less than 4.0-metres in length and runs a 2380mm wheelbase. Alfa says the weight distribution is 40:60 front-to-rear.
A mid-engined two-seater, the 4C is powered by a new all-aluminium 1750 turbocharged petrol engine driving the rear wheels via the latest generation Alfa TCT dry twin clutch transmission and the AlfaDNA driving mode selector now with ‘Race’ mode. There’s no power steering and an electronic differential.
The new engine is 22kgs lighter than the similar engine which powers the Alfa Romeo Giulietta QV and delivers 180kW at 6000rpm and 350Nm from 2100rpm-4000rpm. Zero to 100km/h is achieved in 4.5 seconds.
Intriguingly, the front suspension is a double-wishbone design while the rear is a MacPherson strut. Standard wheels are 17-inch front and 18-inch rear with 18/19-inch Alfa Romeo ‘signature’ five-hole designs on the options list.
Inside, the carbon-fibre tub is unpainted for an authentic sports car look, there’s digital instruments in lace of conventional gauges and a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle-shifters for the transmission. Lightweight seats are made from composite materials and alloy pedals complete the sporty appearance.
British buyers will commence delivery next month and Alfa Romeo Australia will announce local details shortly.
