The Alfa Romeo 4C was undoubtedly one of the best looking cars at this week’s 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and unlike the Lamborghinis and Ferraris on show, the 4C is one model us mere mortals would be able to afford.

The good news is that the car is destined for production and is slated for release late next year. This puts its release in parallel with the Italian brand’s relaunch in the U.S. market, and according to Alfa Romeo CEO Harald Wester, the 4C is definitely U.S. bound.

The halo car "will bring us back into markets such as the United States, where we are not present today," Wester confirmed to AutoWeek during a recent interview.

Production of the 4C will be limited, with only around 15,000 to 20,000 units planned over five years for worldwide sale. A further 5,000 to 10,000 roadster versions, likely labeled the 4C Spyder, will also be built by Abarth, the official motorsports and tuning division of Fiat.

Prices are expected to hover around the $60,000 mark, which means the car won’t be cheap. However, the Alfa Romeo 4C is more akin to cars like the Porsche Cayman and Lotus Elise and Exige duo rather than the Nissan 370Z and Ford Mustang.

Taking inspiration from the legendary 33 Stradale from 1967, the new 4C follows the route of limited weight, made possible by extensive use of carbon, which also plays a structural role and guarantees exceptional agility with a weight/power ratio which is lower than 9 pounds per horsepower. The low-slung sports car tips the scales at just 1,784 pounds and develops more than 200 horsepower from its direct injected and turbocharged 1.75-liter four-cylinder engine.  

For more details on the Alfa Romeo 4C, check out our previous post by clicking here.

[AutoWeek]