Alfa Romeo plans to start selling the production version of the gorgeous 4C by mid-2013 with a target price below £45,000, Top Gear reports. According to Fiat’s engineering boss, Mauro Pierallini, Alfa is currently on track to have a prototype ready for testing in around 6–7 months.
Even though the stunning concept car was a “if you build it, they will come” fantasy creation at first, it’s not expected any dramatic styling changes will have to be made for the production model. Even the carbon fibre tub of the show car should remain, although cheaper construction methods will be used for the front and rear frame, as well as the body panels.
Interestingly, the car’s target weight is now being reported as “around 900kg” which means the previously stated 850kg looks unlikely. At initial launch the 4C’s engine is expected to have around 230hp. Roughly speaking, we’re talking a power to weight ratio in line with a Porsche 911 Carrera.
Alfa hopes to sell 18,000 models over the 4C’s lifetime, which means that 300hp (224kW) engine we’ve already been excited about will likely follow later in the model’s life cycle as the range expands. Hairdressers chasing street cred, as well as style, will be pleased to know a 4C convertible is also on the drawing board.
That just leaves the price. It’s difficult to tell what £45,000 (or less) would translate to in the Australian market. However, as a reference, other cars priced in that ballpark in the UK include the BMW 1M, Porsche Boxster S and Audi TT RS Coupé. In other words, don’t expect the 4C to be a true performance bargain. Of course, that doesn’t mean it won’t be value for money!
[Source: Top Gear]
4 replies on “Alfa Romeo 4C scheduled to launch in 2013”
So we could be looking at $130K or more. Damn.
Did I tell myself I wanted a BRZ a few days ago? Sorry, make that a 4C. These guys can design like NOBODY else can. 900kgs and 300hp are irrelevant bonuses. If I had to pedal it Flinstone-stylee I would still consider getting one. The 8C, though pornographically gorgeous, was priced at a point that made it compete with no-brainers. This one is much more like it!
Prof, what if it isn’t built like the German cars we are used to? But then again the French toy held up so how bad can this be?
[…] curvaceous Alfa Romeo 4C continues on its path towards a mid-2013 launch, Autocar reports. That’s not really a surprise, despite being described as a realease earlier […]