Alfa Romeo 4C Spider arrives

Alfa Romeo's new 4C Spider is now available in Australia, priced from $99,000, which compares favourably with the Lotus Exige Roadster ($132,990) and Porsche Boxster (104,700).

Powered by a 1.75-litre turbocharged petrol engine pumping out 177kW, the striking Italian sports car accelerates to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds – the same as the coupe.

It also has the same top speed as the 4C coupe, 257km/h, and weighs just 10kg more at just 1035kg – an imp in the world of modern automobilia.

Unlike some exotic convertible cars, however, the 4C misses out on a push-button electrically operated roof, instead featuring a manually removable fabric roof, not unlike the Lotus Exige.

Although it demands a $10,000 premium over the coupe model, Alfa Romeo reckons the drop-top version of the 4C will have strong marketplace appeal, combining "race-inspired performance, advanced technology and stunning design".

Both the 4C coupe and Spider are based around an exotic carbon-fibre monocoque chassis to reduce weight and increase rigidity, and with a mid-mounted 1.7-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that resides behind the driver, the 177kW/350Nm machine is no slouch.

Fuel economy is 6.9L/100km -- about the same as some small hatchbacks and just 0.1L/100km more than the coupe.

Hand-crafted in Modena, the 4C Spider is fitted with 17-inch front and 18-inch rear alloy wheels, which can be optioned up to 18- and 19-inch rims respectively for an extra $2000.

"A stunningly designed, blisteringly fast and utterly thrilling convertible supercar, the 4C Spider delivers open-air excitement like no other," insists Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia President and CEO Pat Dougherty.

"Arriving just in time for the Australian summer, the 4C Spider is the modern embodiment of Alfa Romeo's proud heritage," he said.

The wheels connect to the car body via double wishbone front and independent rear suspension, while the engine transfers power to the rear axle via twin-clutch transmission, or TCT. Essentially a super-fast automatic transmission, it has several different modes, from placid to extreme to suit everything from cruising to track work. The TCT also features a rev-matching mode and paddle shift input.

Prospective buyers can look forward to a number of standard features including an ultrasonic anti-theft alarm system, automatic transmission, cruise control, xenon headlights, LED brake lights, black leather sports seats, a four-speaker stereo with Bluetooth functionality, rear parking sensors, a digital instrument display and fabric manually removable roof panel.

There are seven exterior colour choices: Rosso Alfa, Black, White, Basalt Grey Metallic, Rosso Competizione Tri-coat, Madreperla White Tri-coat and Giallo (yellow). Apart from red and white, the other colours are cost options at between $1000 and $3000.

Three interior colour options include black (standard), red ($3000) and brown ($2000), and even the brake callipers can be had in black, yellow or red for another $1000.

If you want a more exotic look 4C Spider can be optioned with the Carbon and Leather pack ($4000), comprising carbon-fibre wing mirrors, transmission tunnel and instrument cluster with stitched leather dashboard layer.

Last but not least is the Racing pack ($10,000), which adds everything needed for punishing driving, including stiffer suspension, a sports exhaust system, track-biased Pirelli tyres and larger diameter wheels.

We tested the Italian drop-top in Italy back in July. Check out the full Alfa Romeo 4C Spider review if you're interested.