Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is a sports car concept that heralds the return to rear-wheel drive. It was one of the few vehicles unveiled at the Geneva auto Show.

According to Alfa Romeo official, the 4c GTA is “a compact “supercar” which represents the true essence of a sports car, according to the brand’s values: performance, Italian style and technical excellence aimed at maximum driving pleasure in total safety.”  It might look a little like an Elise with an Alfa Romeo nose, but the 4C is a statement of serious sporting intent from Alfa Romeo – and one that it plans to put into production by the end of 2012.

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is a compact car, with a wheelbase of 2.4 metres and an overall length of just four metres, and it has an ambitiously small kerb weight to match – less than 850kg. This will be achieved through extensive use of carbon fibre in the chassis, though exactly how that will manifest itself – and how the price will be kept low(ish) – Alfa isn’t yet saying.

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is powered by a “4 cylinder” 1750 Turbo Petrol engine,  will produce ‘in excess of 200bhp’. That will be enough, says Alfa, to push the 4C from 0-62mph in less than 5.0seconds. The power will be sent to the rear wheels via Alfa Romeo’s brand-new, six-speed dry twin-clutch transmission, which is now also available in front-wheel drive applications in the form of various Mitos and Giuliettas. The engine will sprint the concept from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds, while top speed goes up to 155 mph.

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept also promises to handle well too, with high quadrilateral suspension at the front and a MacPherson set-up at the rear for maximum agility and road holding.