Sergio Marchionne’s ambitious plan for the resurrection of Alfa Romeo calls for no less than six new models for launch in the U.S. market until the end of 2016. The thing is that, four of them are earmarked for 2015 and one for 2016, leaving just one model for this year: the 4C mid-engine sports coupe.
Thanks to a CarScoop reader who happens to be a Swiss dealer and who attended an Alfa Romeo meeting earlier this month, we are in a position to share several new details about the production 4C that will likely be presented at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
Contrary to initial reports that its 1.7-liter turbocharged inline-four could put out as much as 300-horses, Alfa Romeo officials told dealers that its output will be 240PS or 237hp for the base model, the same as in the Giulietta QV from which it is borrowed.
If a four-cylinder sounds inappropriate for an Italian supercar, the carbon fiber chassis will keep the weight low, though, we assume it will be more than the 850 kg (1,874 pounds) that were announced for the concept model and which theoretically give the 4C an impressively lower power-to-weight ratio of 3.5 kg/PS.
Nevertheless, it should be able to keep up with other mid-engine sports cars like the new 275PS (271hp) Porsche Cayman and perhaps even the Cayman S which, despite boasting 325PS (321hp), is much heavier at 1,320 kg (2,910 pounds) and has a power to weight ratio of 3,78 kg/PS.
Moreover, our source said that Alfa is targeting a price between €56,000 and €64,000 (equal to US$76,400-$87,300 at today's rates), depending on the trim level, in Switzerland.
This means that the 4C will be priced closer to the base 275PS Cayman, which costs €57,500 (US$79,000) in Switzerland rather than the 325PS Cayman S, which at €71,230 (US$97,300) is far more expensive. To get an idea of what it may cost in the States, the base Cayman has an MSRP of $52,600, and Cayman S, $63,800.
Even if signore Marchionne doesn't change his mind on the 4C pricing policy, he probably won’t have a problem shifting all the cars Alfa will make.
That’s because, according to our insider, North American and European production will be limited to just 2,000 units, equally split between the coupe (1,000 units) and the roadster model (1,000 units) that was also confirmed during the Alfa Romeo dealer meeting.
This number also includes the track-only “Racing” version as well as the road-legal Stradale, both of which will be introduced in 2014 featuring a more potent engine delivering 270PS (266hp).
Last, but certainly not least, having recently snapped a lightly camouflaged test car, we know that the production 4C will remain faithful to the gorgeous concept in terms of design and will also retain its compact dimensions, with only subtle changes such as the shape of the rear diffuser and the exterior mirrors. |
