Alfa Romeo Adds to North American Stable With 4C Spider

Fiat Chrysler at the Detroit auto show takes the wraps off the ’15 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, the second vehicle from the sports-car maker to be introduced in North America, following the 4C coupe.

Handcrafted in Modena, Italy, the 4C Spider features a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and an all-aluminum 1.7L turbocharged inline 4-cyl. engine producing 237 hp and 258 lb.-ft. (349 Nm) of torque. Other mechanical highlights include direct injection, dual intercoolers and variable-valve timing.

Alfa Romeo says the 4C Spider can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.1 seconds and has a top speed of 160 mph (257 km/h).

Four driving selections are available, including all-weather, natural, dynamic and race modes.

The Spider borrows design cues from its coupe sibling, but adds a carbon-fiber windshield frame that provides attachment points for the removable stowable cloth roof. A carbon-fiber hardtop will be available shortly after launch later this year, but the hardtop will not be stowable, the automaker says.

Due to the carbon-fiber structure, the 4C Spider boasts the same structural rigidity as the coupe without weight-adding reinforcements.

Seven exterior colors will be available, including Rosso Alfa, black, white, Basalt Grey Metallic, Rosso Competizione tri-coat, Madreperla white tri-coat and yellow.

Complementing the exterior colors are six available interior combinations and a number of seat material choices, including black leather with red-accent stitching, red leather with red-accents and black leather racing seats with microfiber inserts.

Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but Alfa Romeo officials say to expect a premium over the 4C coupe’s $55,195 starting price.

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