Alfa Romeo teases 4C, confirms 2013 arrival

Any time you open up your promotion for a new vehicle with the claim of a "car to end all cars," you better have the goods to back it up. If any automaker has said goods, it is Alfa Romeo. The brand behind the stunning 8C has promised a new car to debut in 2013. We all know that vehicle will be the 4C (a name which has been trademarked in America), which has been running ahead of schedule in development. With this teaser shot, it seems that a production version should be imminent. The report from Motor Authority, suspects that could be as early as the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

We've been enamored with the 4C ever since we saw the first concept for it at Geneva in 2011. Since then, we've heard word of convertible variants and various facts and figures, such as a sub-2000-pound curb weight, and a 1.8-liter mill. The low weight, combined with the claimed 200 horsepower could put the 4C's zero to 60 times below four seconds.

As promising as this teaser is, our hopes of Alfa's tearing up American roads have been repeatedly dashed by reports from the Italian brand. Time and again, Alfa's supposed entry into the US has been delayed. Let us hope that this new teaser serves as warning that Alfa Romeo's invasion is imminent.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/a...-2013-arrival/

 

Awesome!!! Love this little car since the day I saw the concept!

 

I'm genuinely excited at the prospect of Alfa Romeo returning to our shores. I just hope they're getting more serious about it now.

 

One must remember, though, that is was increasing government regulations (along with low sales) which drove Alfa out of the U.S. market in the mid-1990s. Now they are set to come back just as we are (once again) entering a period of more-stingent government dictates on the industry. I hope history doesn't repeat itself, and they are once again forced to leave. If that happens, they (may) never be back.

 

Fiat and Chrysler now have an arsenal of new tech and powertrains that can meet those stringent regulations. I personally think it'll be getting the word out. Many people not into cars will say "Alfa who?"

 

Alfa is already here, to some extent, with the new Dodge Dart, which uses Fiat Multiair engines and a Dodge-designed interior on a slightly shortened version of the Alfa Giulietta platform. The Dart, though borderline underpowered in some versions and with a quirky baseball-sized shift-handle for the 6MT, is otherwise a very nice compact sedan....far better than the junk Cavalier, Neon, Shadow, and Omni that preceded it.

 

Mechanically sure, but we all know consumers go by the badge. Again they'll say "Alfa who". Fiat and Alfa need to bring over some sedans and hatches that are distinctly Italian in design just like the 159. Something that won't be mistaken for another bland sedan of watered down for this market.

 

You do realize they have been sold in Europe the entire time they were not sold here. I would like to see some affordable Italian style here.

 

Yes, of course. But the Europeans not only have different regs than we do here, but also buy Alfas (and other Italian-sourced vehicles) in much greater numbers than here. If my memory is right, Alfa sold less than 1000 vehicles per year here in the mid-1990s before they pulled out. The last American-spec vehicle they sold here (and I still remember it from the 1995 (?) D.C. Auto Show) was the 164 sedan.


We already have the Italians here (under their own nameplate) in the subcompact Fiat 500 class and the high-priced/exotic Maserati/Ferrari/Lamborghini class. So I assume you're refering to mid-line/mid-priced sedans, coupes, roadsters, etc.....from Alfa and Lancia.

Rumor has it, BTW, that the next MX-5 Miata will be a joint Mazda/Italian project.

 

^Alfa of the 1980s is clearly much different than today, like every car maker.

 

kinda OT but have you guys seen this?

http://m.jalopnik.com/5970217/whats-...hback/gallery/

 

Hmm yes please!!

 

whats with the chrysler grill?!?!

but yes, please come back Alpha, we missed you!