Alfa Romeo 4C Concept: Video and Live Shots from the Geneva Motor Show

I know some of our readers will disagree, hell, even some of the folks here at Carscoop will beg to differ, nevertheless, I'm going to say it: I'm utterly disappointed with the styling of Alfa Romeo's 4C Concept, which is slated to enter production in 2012. Alfa had a unique chance to redefine its design language with its first mainstream rear-wheel drive model in decades but instead chose to add the Mickey Mouse - bug face treatment to a body that looks awfully similar to the Lotus Elise.

The specific styling cues may work for the 8C Competizione but if you ask me, the 4C looks just as silly as the MiTo does. Granted; the true essence of the 4C Concept lays under the skin and in particular the mid-engine / rear-wheel drive architecture, but would it be much to ask for some of that styling magic Alfa Romeo has served us over the years?

As always, feel free to agree or disagree in our comments section below.

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept: Video and Live Shots from the Geneva Motor Show

I know some of our readers will disagree, hell, even some of the folks here at Carscoop will beg to differ, nevertheless, I'm going to say it: I'm utterly disappointed with the styling of Alfa Romeo's 4C Concept, which is slated to enter production in 2012. Alfa had a unique chance to redefine its design language with its first mainstream rear-wheel drive model in decades but instead chose to add the Mickey Mouse - bug face treatment to a body that looks awfully similar to the Lotus Elise.

The specific styling cues may work for the 8C Competizione but if you ask me, the 4C looks just as silly as the MiTo does. Granted; the true essence of the 4C Concept lays under the skin and in particular the mid-engine / rear-wheel drive architecture, but would it be much to ask for some of that styling magic Alfa Romeo has served us over the years?

As always, feel free to agree or disagree in our comments section below.

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Geneva Show: Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe Concept with Mid-Mounted 1.75-Liter Turbo Engine and RWD

Alfa Romeo has unveiled a concept study for a compact and affordable "supercar” called 4C Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The car is a two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupe with a mid-mounted engine that could find its way into production as early as 2012. According to the Italian car maker, the 4C represents “the true essence of a sports car, according to the brand values: performance, Italian style and technical excellence aimed at maximum driving pleasure in total safety.”

As the name suggests, the car is supposed to be a smaller version of the 8C Competizione, which is also true in the case of the design, as the 4C looks very similar to Alfa's supercar. The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept has a length of approximately 4 meters and a wheelbase of less than 2.4 meters. These dimensions emphasize the compact size of the car and also accentuate its agility, Alfa says.

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Alfa Romeo Rumored [Again] to be Planning a KTM X-Bow-based Sports Car

At this year’s Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo may take the audience by surprise with a lightweight, mid-engine and rear-wheel drive coupe concept that will eventually become the Italian maker’s next affordable halo car, reportedly named 4C GTA.

According to an Automotive News Europe [ANE] report, a Fiat spokesman has confirmed that development is underway, however the Geneva debut is uncertain due to “delays in the concept model construction”.

The brand’s last affordable rear-wheel drive model was the “Classic Spider”, which was discontinued in 1994, leaving a gap that was never filled by Alfa Romeo. True, the limited run 8C Competizione, built between 2007 and 2008, was an impressive car, but with a price tag of over €200,000 (US $276,160) it was simply too expensive for the average Alfa buyer.

The new model is said to go on sale in Europe by late 2012 with a base price of €40,000 (or about US $55,244). According to inside sources, Alfa plans to build up to 25,000 units by the end of 2017. If true, the 4C GTA could also make it to the States, but nothing’s final yet.

The role of the 4C GTA is clear: it’s expected to attract customers to the firm's showrooms, where the upcoming 159 replacement and the brand’s first SUV model should convince them to sign on the dotted line.

Sources stated it will be styled by Alfa’s own design center in Turin and that the “rakish, very compact and extremely low two-seat coupe” will make use of modified version of the KTM X-Bow platform, originally engineered by Italy’s Dallara Automobili for the Austrian motorcycle maker. Power is said to come from the Giulietta’s 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, expected to deliver over 250HP.

Let’s that just hope that if the 4C GTA rumors turn out to be real, the sports car will be instantly recognizable as a true Alfa Romeo and not a rebadged X-Bow.

Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA 240HP Live Shots and Video from Geneva

Revealed as a concept in Geneva, Alfa Romeo's high-performance MiTo GTA show car is said to preview a production model that could follow as early as 2010. In line with the famous GTA (Gran Turismo Alleggerito) signature, Alfa's MINI Cooper JCW rival prioritizes weight reduction while power comes from a new 1.8-liter turbocharged engine producing 240HP. Hit the jump for live photos as well a video of the car that was shot during Alfa's press conference at the Geneva Motor Show.

Alfa MiTo GTA Concept Photo Real - Plus, We've Got Official Details and new Scoop Pics!

Following our article on the Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA Concept where we questioned the legitimacy of a photograph of the car that has been circulating around the net, we were contacted by one of our most trusted inside sources. To cut the chase, our man proved to us beyond any doubt that this photograph is indeed official. Furthermore, he gave us all the initial details on Alfa's scorching hit minicar that's destined to debut at next month's Geneva Show... And even though we couldn't obtain any more photos, coincidentally, one of our readers from Valencia, Spain, managed to capture the MiTo GTA on the road right after a nearby photo shoot-out.

Unfortunately, the photos were shot from a very long distance, so very few details of the car are clearly visible. What we could manage to see is the blacked out rooftop, the side air-vents, the dark alloy wheels and the large openings on the front bumper.

But if you just can't wait until the beginning of next week to see the official image gallery, here's what we learned from our source. The new MiTo GTA will feature a working bodykit that improves the car's CX drag coefficient. In details, the front end is characterized by the wide air intakes, the new styling of the classic Alfa grille, the badge that has been positioned on the bonnet and the new bumper. As for what we saw as a hood scoop, turns out it's a windscreen wiper deflector...

From the side, the GTA will be distinguished by the dark-finished 19-inch forged aluminum rims, the 8C Competizione-inspired air-vents and the aerodynamic miniskirts. As for the car's rear end, the restyled bumper has an air extractor to increase aerodynamic downforce while at the center it incorporates a large diameter twin exhaust pipe. Furthermore, the tailgate has been completely redesigned, using carbon fiber technology and incorporating an integral spoiler with a wing which is wider in the upper and side sections.

Inside, we were told that the GTA will get a blacked out trim while a red stitching runs all the way round the car. Unique features will include new air vents, specially designed for the MiTo GTA Concept and embellished with aluminum inserts, an ergonomically designed sports steering wheel and instruments with new graphics (the speedometer has an end of scale of 300 Km/h).

And what about under the hood? The MiTo GTA Concept sport's a new 1.75-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine producing an output of 240-horsepower. Developed by the engineers of FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies, the four-pot unit uses various technical solutions, including direct gasoline injection, dual VVT, the turbocharger and, according to Alfa, a "revolutionary management system".

Even though no acceleration figures have been released, Alfa claims that the MiTo GTA's 1.75L Turbo will offer performances comparable with those of an engine of 3.0-liters, while consumption is maintained at levels typical of a 4-cylinder engine of average capacity.

Though we do know that the MiTo GTA Concept will retain the front-wheel drive layout of the standard versions, we weren't able to find out with what type of transmission it will be equipped.

To enhance the MiTo's handling qualities, Alfa Romeo's engineers performed various upgrades on the chassis. Among other things, they completely revised the operating parameters of the suspension, lowering it by about 20 mm and upgraded the steering system for a more direct and precise feeling. Alfa Romeo also developed a new "active suspension system" with Magneti Marelli and a high-performance braking system with Brembo.

Gracias 'R' for the photos!

Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA 240HP Concept - Official Photos

Don't be fooled by Alfa's "concept" moniker; the MiTo GTA that we'll be seeing at next week's Geneva Motor Show is the real thing and it will find its way into production. Set to rival Europe's hottest small cars like the 211HP MINI Cooper S JCW and the 197HP Renault Clio RS, the MiTo GTA is powered by Fiat's all-new, direct-injection, 1.75-liter turbocharged four-pot that produces a hefty 240-horsepower.

Justifying its GTA logo (Gran Turismo Alleggerito - light grand tourer ), Alfa's engineers have reduced the MiTo's weight by using carbon fiber on the tailgate spoiler, the roof and the mirror fairings and aluminum for the braking system, suspension and some parts of the chassis.

To enhance the MiTo's dynamic qualities, Alfa completely revised the operating parameters of the suspension, lowering it by about 20 mm and added a new "active suspension system" that stiffens the rear end by means of shock absorber control. The GTA also features a revised steering wheel system for a more direct and precise feeling as well as a new, lightweight braking system from Brembo.

The MiTo's looks have been beefed up with a functional bodykit that is said to improve the car's CX drag coefficient and increase downforce. Up front, the GTA gets a new bumper with two wide air intakes, a redesigned grille and a windscreen wiper deflector. From the side, the GTA stands out thanks to the 19-inch alloy wheels, blacked out side skirts and engine cooling air vents which bring to mind the 8C Competizione.

The sexiest part of the GTA in our opinion is its rear end that features a massive diffuser incorporating two large diameter exhaust pipes in the middle and a redesigned tailgate made from carbon fiber that incorporates an integral spoiler with a wing which is wider in the upper and side sections.

Inside, Alfa said that the MiTo GTA Concept gets a set of four sport seats with the 4-point seatbelts attached to the rear roll, dark leather trim and a new sport steering wheel.