The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept has been unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and the big news is that the Alfa 4C could see production by 2012. According to Harald Wester the model is already in development and an ambitious market launch date by end 2012 is being aimed at.

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept you see live in these pics from Geneva isn’t just a showroom dream, and Wester has said: “This is the Alfa we want for the future.” Could it finally give Alfa fans what they’ve been waiting for in a modern sporty Alfa model that will put the brand back in its rightful place as one of Italy’s great traditional sports car manufacturers? It’s just one model but there are many fingers crossed that it will be the revolution long awaited.

The new Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is a rear-wheel drive, two-seater coupé with a centrally positioned engine. It measures about four metres long and has a wheelbase just short of 2.4 metres. It has been designed to be compact and agile and many elements have been borrowed from the Alfa 8C Competizione. There is copious use of carbon fibre and aluminium and production 4C model should get Alfa’s 1750 turbo, direct-injection engine. It will also have TCT dual clutch transmission and Alfa DNA.

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept live at 2011 Geneva Motor Show

The model is just another example of all the slimming down that’s been happening across the Geneva show hall. While Alfa hasn’t released the exact kerb weight of the 4C Concept, the weight-power ratio is said to be 4 kg/hp. The chassis, passenger and crash box all use aluminium components. Weight (we imagine referring to these latter components but it’s not specified) is down around 850 kg and power is said to be over the 200 hp mark.

The Alfa 4C Concept has a top speed over 250 km/hr and makes it to 100 km/hr in five seconds. The suspension system uses two different set-ups for front and rear and the weight ratio is 40:60. The press release reinforces the fact that this isn’t just an exercise in style for the motor show. Does this mean that the company has listened to the masses and realised that the Alfa MiTo and Giulietta weren’t enough? They have plans that this model will contribute to Alfa’s global expansion so hopefully we’ll be seeing an excessible Alfa sports coupé at a competitive price.

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