Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition video

The 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C sports car has finally made its public debut in production trim, but the 4C shown in Geneva isn’t a regular model but a special ‘Launch Edition’ that will be built in a limited run of just 1000 cars.

The 4C Launch Edition will sell in Europe for 60,000 euros (approximately $75,980 AUD), however there's now word on what pricing might be for Australia if it made it here -- and Alfa Romeo has already indicated we could wait years before seeing the 4C in any form.

The Alfa Romeo 4C is a mid-engine, two-seat sports car built around a carbon fibre monocoque structure. Power comes from a turbocharged and direct-injected 1.75-litre four-cylinder engine, which is rated at 176 kilowatts and 350 Newton metre of torque, and paired to it is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Those numbers might not seem all that impressive at first, but remember that the 4C weighs about 952kg. With a curb weight this light, it’s no surprise that the car will cover the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds or less and easily reach a governed top speed of 250 km/h.

Alfa Romeo says owners can also expect the car to support up to 1.1 g of side acceleration on corners and 1.25 g of braking force. The brakes, by the way, are from Brembo and feature four-piston aluminium callipers on the front axle.

The 4C Launch Edition is identical to the regular 4C that will eventually be offered, except that it comes in the choice of two available colours: Carrara White or Alfa Red. It also comes with special badging, a dark finish on the rear diffuser, full LED headlights with blacked-out surrounds and special alloy wheels measuring 457mm up front and 483mm in the rear. The interior also gets some special touches, including Alcantara trim, a numbered plaque and contrast stitching.

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