Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Alfa Romeo has today unveiled its stunning 4C Concept car, here at the Geneva motor show.

The car maker describes it as a 'compact supercar', that represents the 'true essence' of a sports car according to its own brand values of performance, Italian style and maximum driving pleasure.

The 4C Concept is a mid-engined, two-seat, rear-wheel-drive coupe that's around four metres long and less than 2.5 metres wide. Alfa says the car's compact dimensions accentuate the car's agility, while its sharp, clean lines give it a distinguished and graceful appearance.

Materials and technology from Alfa's 8C Competizione supercar also find a home in the 4C Concept, with carbon, aluminium and its rear-wheel-drive system all included. The 200bhp 1.7-litre turbocharged petrol engine, its twin-clutch transmission and 'DNA' dynamic control set-up are also donated from other Alfa models, such as the hot Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde.

Alfa 4C Concept video
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The use of carbon and aluminium has helped to significantly cut the car's weight to less than 850kg. This helps the 4C Concept to blast from 0-62mph in less than five seconds.

Alfa says the 4C Concept's sporty suspension and mid-engined configuration which distributes 40% of the car's weight on the front axle and 60% on the rear make it as sporty to drive as its looks suggest.

The 4C Concept isn't just another exercise in motor show design, either Alfa says it will be on sale in 2012.