Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe future looking shaky
The hardtop will be succeeded by its Spider cousin.
Alfa Romeo could axe the 4C coupe after its 2018 model year runs out, leaving the 4C Spider to carry the brand's two-seat torch.
After reports from the USA said the 4C Coupe will be killed in North America next year, Autocar has quoted Sergio Marchionne calling the model's future into question.
"The 4C has some technical limitations in terms of type approval outside the US and Europe, so it has a limited future, as it will no longer be possible to register it and have it approved," Marchionne said. "For structural reasons, because of the monocoque".
Launched in 2014, the 4C was designed to reignite passion for the Alfa Romeo brand among enthusiasts. It's powered by a 1.75-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 177kW and 350Nm, put to the rear wheels through a (contentious) six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
No manual is offered, much to the chagrin of the ever-vocal enthusiast mob.
The 100km/h sprint takes a claimed 4.5 seconds and it keeps running on to 258km/h, thanks partly to the quick-shifting transmission, and partly to the skimpy 1025kg kerb weight.
If that sounds like your cup of tea, there are still a few options. You could rush down to the dealership and buy one now, or you could keep saving for a Spider. Where the coupe might not see the start of 2019, the drop-top 4C (above) will definitely live on, priced from $99,000 before on-road costs.
A facelifted, revised model will likely be launched later this year with a tweaked chassis and steering setup. Look out, Alpine A110.
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