No heavyweight 4C for Oz
Extra weight limited to US market model but local introduction delayed to OctoberAlfa Romeo's featherweight 4C sports car will remain light on its feet when it arrives Down Under. That's the good news...
Not so positive: the fact the local debut of the car has again been delayed.
News began circulating last week that the carbon-fibre tubbed mid-engined two seater would gain weight in its US market version. This was confirmed on the weekend when pricing and specification was announced for the US market, where 4C will spearhead Alfa Romeo's return via 86 newly appointed dealers.
US market specifications list the dry weight of the 4C at 1050kg – 155kg heavier than the Euro car.
While that might sound too bad, given the European model 4C's featherweight 895kg mass, the extra heft translates to a 17.5 per cent increase – around the same in comparative terms as carting around four footy players in your Commodore SS.
It's understood the difference is the result of a combination of extra cabin equipment (including power windows) and additional structure linked to US market crash testing requirements. Like most, we're waiting for exact details on where the weight has been added.
We also note from US market images released last week, that as photographed the Yankee 4C also features the better looking, but heavier conventional headlamps from the 4C Spider.
But local 4C fans won't be subjected to the 'supersized' US market version. Fiat Chrysler and Alfa Romeo Australia spokesperson Karla Leach told motoring.com.au that Aussie-spec 4Cs will echo their European counterparts.
"The 4Cs that will be sold in Australia will be based on the European spec vehicles, with some changes to deliver increased standard equipment on the vehicles," Leach confirmed.
Alas Leach also confirmed the 4C's local launch had again slipped.
Although initially earmarked for an early 2014 release
, European demand for the hand-built sports car has seen local delivery dates rescheduled to the final quarter of 2014.
"Worldwide customer demand for the 4C has outstripped production – and as a result our delivery has been delayed to later this year," she said.
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