The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept was one of the stars of this year's Geneva Motor Show, coming as a complete surprise and with a startling specification.
If it matches its promise, the 4C could catapult Alfa Romeo back to its glory days. The company says it will have a carbon fibre and aluminium body, resulting in a weight of less than 850kg - not much more than a Lotus Elise. It will also hit 62mph in less than five seconds.
Its waifish frame means it doesn't need massive power for supercar-like performance, so it will make do with the 200bhp four-cylinder 1750 TBi engine currently found elsewhere in Alfa's range.
The powerplant will be mounted in the centre of the car for better weight distribution, like a Porsche Cayman. Fuel economy will be excellent too, especially as it will have an efficient twin-clutch automatic transmission.
Alfa has yet to officially confirm production, but it's thought that's only a matter of time. And with a price tag rumoured to be around £45,000, the 4C really will be a junior supercar in every respect.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed will begin on July 1 this year, with a number of classic and supercars already confirmed. Alfa Romeo's stand will include an Alfa 6C 3000CM, raced by legendary driver Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1951 F1 World Championship, which he won.
An Alfa 750 Competizione and a 33 TT 12 will also feature (both pictured), as well as today's Alfa showroom line-up.
