2012 Alfa Romeo 4C Cherry Red

With the clock ticking for the launch of the production version of Alfa Romeo's 4C sports car, the Italians showed the prototype model in a new cherry red metallic hue at the famous the Concorso d'Elegance Villa d'Este in Italy this past weekend.


The mid-engined Alfa Romeo sports coupe won the eyes and votes of the visitors at the show and took honors as the most beautiful machine in the Concept and Prototype class.

2012 Alfa Romeo 4C Cherry Red

The two-seater model is powered by a 1.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which produces up to 232hp in other Alfa Romeo cars like the Giulietta (Alfa hasn't said how much it will deliver in the 4C), driving the rear wheels through a dry-clutch transmission.

Alfa Romeo claims that the 4C will weigh less than 900kg (1,984 lbs) and promises a zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of under five seconds and a top speed in excess of 250km/h (+155mph).

Production of the 4C will reportedly begin at Maserati's Modena plant in Italy from May of 2013. The four-meter sports car will be the first Alfa Romeo to arrive in the States before the end of next year.

European pricing is rumored to start from around €50,000 (about US$63,000 at today's exchange rates).