[AlfaMartini]

Good News !!...

The Alfa 4C has been confirmed for production, virtually unchanged from the concept model displayed at the Genever & Franfurt Shows ...

Alfa Romeo at Frankfurt: Subtle changes, big news - Classic Driver - MAGAZINE - news

 

[Pud237]

Great news

 

[FoxtrotOscar]

Good news indeed... if it's true. I seem to remember reading an interview with the cars' designer which said that there would be changes to the mirrors, doors, and rearlights for the production car (not to mention a completely different interior). However, I see no evidence of any of these things in those publicity pictures, just a different colour paint. I also notice they are now reluctant to mention production numbers and eventual price. I wonder how many deposits have been taken so far?

 

[Ubizzle]

Good news indeed... if it's true. I seem to remember reading an interview with the cars' designer which said that there would be changes to the mirrors, doors, and rearlights for the production car (not to mention a completely different interior). However, I see no evidence of any of these things in those publicity pictures, just a different colour paint. I also notice they are now reluctant to mention production numbers and eventual price. I wonder how many deposits have been taken so far?

Those changes will all be made before the final production version is shown. This is just to keep people interested before they bring out the final production version model. Possibly in Geneva, probably sometime later next year (maybe Frankfurt again)

 

[Guest]

Excellent news, just a pity it's gone backwards. I hope it doesn't lose some of the potential momentum by taking so long to get to production. Target price is 45,000 Euros, which isn't bad either, hopefully around 40K when it hits here, which I think is a good price level.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[davidjwbailey]

I hope the roof is too low for Clerkson to drive it ...

 

[Alexzver]

Any news on the production yet?

 

[AlfaMartini]

As far as I am aware production remains scheduled to commence in 2013 with a limited run of 20,000 cars over a 5 year production period (but that may have changed by now).

Sales staff at the UAE Alfa agency in Dubai are making "off-the-top" statements to the effect that they are expecting 4C availability in 2012... however they do have a track record of exagerated expectations when talking to potential customers.

 

[Alexzver]

So nothing brand new.

 

[davidjwbailey]

" limited run of 20,000 cars "

that filled me with dread at first.
I thought "are they are going to be LHD and US export first, if so which will mean:"
1 - very limited availability in UK (sub 500 ?)
2 - long delivery time (RHD will be an after thought and late run)
3 - prices will climb north of £50k basic

Then I saw how very very few 2 seater sports cars are sold in the USA

Sporty Car Year To Date YTD
% Change
Dodge Challenger 84,701 -17.40%
Chevrolet Camaro 81,495 7.70%
Ford Mustang 65,381 -4.20%
Scion tC 20,846 53.20%
Volkswagen GTI 15,535 22.50%
Audi A5 14,112 -5.40%
Chevrolet Corvette 12,126 4.10%
Honda CR-Z 10,766 146%
Mitsubishi Eclipse 7381 82.50%
Volkswagen Eos 7114 12.40%
Hyundai Veloster 7096 -----
Nissan 370Z 6879 -27.50%
Mazda MX-5 Miata 5335 -11.30%
Volvo C70 4659 12.50%
BMW Z4 3180 -11.80%
Mercedes-Benz SLK 2954 58.30%
Audi TT 2020 37.70%
Porche Boxster 1735 -15.00%
Porsche Cayman 1310 8.30%
Mazda RX-8 733 -29.50%

 

[piquet]

Exclusive: the Alfa Romeo 4C draws nearer - BBC Top Gear

 

[doctac60]

So is it coming earlier?? (middle of 2012?)

 

[David P]

No, according to the BBC article the production model will be available in 2013. Road testing of the prototype in 2012

Its engineers are confident of getting the first prototype on the road for the middle of 2012, with the final car on sale a year after that

 

[Guest]

Sounds very promising - good to hear that the team are still on target for a 900 kg weight. Found this on the Top Gear website, more of the same news really but containing a little bit more of the development plan:

Exclusive: the Alfa Romeo 4C draws nearer - BBC Top Gear

 

[davidjwbailey]

hang on - that suggests two engines: a 230bhp and a later 300bhp version? Am i reading that correctly?

 

[Pud237]

hang on - that suggests two engines: a 230bhp and a later 300bhp version? Am i reading that correctly?

The engines will be largely the same - they are now not using the G 1750 engine but they have another 1.8 engine with an ally block, very similar MA head, and of course turbochargers. The 230 & upto 300 versions will probably use everything the same except the turbos.

 

[doctac60]

I hope they prefer o small lcd like the one in the concept model other than navigation

 

[davidjwbailey]

suspect there will be a £5k gap between the 230bhp and 300bhp models. I may go for the smaller one given a choice - plenty of poke in a car that light, and £5k buys a lot of options

 

[stuartmunn]

great news and one in the eye for all the naysayers ! I hope it comes fitted with an anti-clarkson security system so the knobheid doesnt get to review it first ... he is past his sell by date ...

 

[AlfaMartini]

suspect there will be a £5k gap between the 230bhp and 300bhp models. I may go for the smaller one given a choice - plenty of poke in a car that light, and £5k buys a lot of options

Good plan!...

As for me I don't envisage parting with my GTA, which already has most if not all popular options fitted as standard, and it will continue to be my daily drive... But if I am able to justify and afford the cost of a 4C as a second car once it becomes available, I will go for the basic no-frills 300bhp model purely for recreational transport + the pleasure of ownership