Alfa Romeo Mulls Next Generation 4C Sports Car

Sam McEachern
by Sam McEachern
alfa romeo mulls next generation 4c sports car

Alfa Romeo is remaining committed to the Alfa Romeo 4C, telling AutoExpress it’s considering a next-generation version of the sports car.

Alfa Romeo technical chief Roberto Fedeli said the automaker needs a C-segment car to be competitive in Europe, referencing a next-generation Giulietta hatchback. He also said the brand needs something sporty in its portfolio for it to be considered a serious purveyor of performance product, hinting toward a next-generation version of the 4C, or another car similar to the four-cylinder Porsche Cayman fighter.

SEE ALSO: Alfa Romeo Working on Full Size SUV With 400 HP Hybrid Powertrain

“In order to complete the Alfa range of products we need another couple of pillars – something in the C-Segment and then obviously a sporty product, a very sporty product,” Fedeli said.

“Being in the market with that kind of car is not a choice, we have to do it. We have to have a pure sporty car,” he added.

2016 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
2016 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

According to Fedeli, Alfa has a number of options on the table for a future sports model, such as moving the 4C to an all-new platform or putting a different engine in it. It’s expected to apply a number of updates to the current car for the 2019 model year before rolling out a next-gen version or replacing it, so it still has some time to figure out where to take its most performance-focused offering.

“We make some small modifications but then we have to decide if we want to install a different engine, or switch the architecture,” he said. “As you can imagine we have some options, we are working on more than one option.”

Alfa Romeo just dropped a considerable amount of money to sponsor the Sauber Formula 1 team, so it’s hardly surprising to hear the automaker intends on keeping a sporty model in its showroom. The 4C was a good start for a modern-day Alfa performance car, but after sampling the Giulia Quadrofoglio, we’re confident it can deliver an even better product the second time around.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Sam McEachern
Sam McEachern

Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.

More by Sam McEachern

Comments
Join the conversation
 5 comments
  • Jeff Safire Jeff Safire on Jan 02, 2018

    I think the 4C is a beautiful little sports car. I have not yet driven one. Is it really under-powered or is it just not quite competitive with the Cayman?

    • See 2 previous
    • K03sport K03sport on Jan 02, 2018

      The Cayman has two trunks; the 4C has one. I don't think it is a matter of power as it is of practicality. The 4C is an amazing little car, but in a lot of ways, a motorcycle with two saddle bags is more practical. If Alfa can improve on the practicality and daily usability aspect of the 4C and keep the price in check (at or below $60k), I think they will have a great car that people will make room for in their garage(s). Even the MX-5/Miata makes a better argument for daily use just on price and dealer network alone, despite the hit in power.

  • Mike Bike Mike Bike on Jan 02, 2018

    porsche failed when they purposefully underpowered the cayman to appease the old fogey 911 faction... driving the 4C with vigor will easily smoke a cayman in the canyons... no one buys a 4C for practicality and the price is not a factor... it is a toy for big boys and girls...

Next