GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Alfa 4C in short supply

If you want an Alfa Romeo 4C then either get your deposit in now, move to the USA or Europe, or be prepared for a very long wait.

Just 3500 of the sexy mid-engined coupes are going to be built per annum and Australia will grab only a handful from an initial allocation of 100 headed to the Asia-Pacific region in early 2014.

By contrast, 1500 have been allocated to Europe and 1200 to the USA, where the 4C will spearhead the Italian marque’s return late this year.

The first few 4Cs that do make it all the way from the car’s manufacturing site within Maserati’s Modena plant to Australia will be priced above $80,000, because they are part of a run of 400 special Launch Edition models.

While the regular versions that will follow will be priced under $80,000 here, the 4C launch Edition was displayed at this week’s Geneva motor show and will be slightly more expensive due to extra features like carbon-fibre interior trim.

However, Alfa Romeo CEO Harald Wester isn’t that concerned about the plight of potential buyers of the 4C, which measures just 3999mm long yet has the performance of a supercar.

“We will try and satisfy everyone, but it is really difficult to say what is going to happen,” he told motoring.com.au, moments after launching the car at the Geneva motor show overnight.

“I would love to manage a problem in terms of not knowing how to satisfy all the request (for 4Cs).”

Mr Wester said he had no idea how many 4Cs would eventually be allotted to Australia: “Wait and see”, he advised.

Mr Wester described the 4C as a “re-set button, going back to what the brand stood for in the past and starting from there” and as “a turning point for one of the best known and best loved car brands in the world.”

The 4C signals the start of Alfa Romeo’s latest resurgence plan, which pitches it as a global player in the premium market, achieving around 300,000 sales per year.

A rush of new models between now and 2016 are planned to make that happen, including the BMW 3 Series-sized Giulia in 2014; a new 5 series rival, a new-generation Spider based on Mazda’s next MX-5 and two SUVs in 2015; and an all-new MiTo and Giulietta in 2016.

More 4C variants are planned as part of the model onslaught, including a Roadster and hard-core Stradale version.

But for now we get a car that looks very similar to the concept that starred at the Geneva motor show two years ago and still fills the same brief; two-door, two-seat, light-weight, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive coupe.

Inspired by the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, the 4C is powered by a 179kW/350Nm 1750cc turbo-petrol engine developed from the unit previously seen in the Giullietta QV hot hatch. It is mated only to a dry/dual-clutch TCT gearbox with shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel and launch control as a standard feature.

Supercar-like 4.5 seconds 0-100km/h acceleration times are achieved because of the exceptional power-to-weight ratio, made by possible by the car’s low 895kg kerb weight. The top speed is beyond 250km/h.

A light but strong carbon-fibre monocoque chassis weighs only 65kg, while the front and rear crash structures and roof support are made of aluminium. The bodywork is made of low-density high-strength carbon-fibre and the two seats are made of carbon-fibre and other composites. The engine contributes by swapping its cast-iron block for aluminium.

The 4C’s front suspension is by double wishbone and by MacPherson struts at the rear, while the rear wheels are larger than fronts. Discs are perforated and ventilated and fixed Brembo aluminium calipers are employed up front.

Alfa’s DNA (Dry, Normal, All-Weather) drive mode adjuster has a race mode added, which disconnects the electronic stability control. The mode selected also determines what information is displayed in a TFT screen.

For more mechanical detail click here, here and here

For our full coverage head to motoring.com.au for the latest Geneva motor show news

Photo gallery of 2013 Geneva motor show at motoring.com.au

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