Alfa Romeo 4C Carbon Free But Still Light On Its Feet

Alfa Romeo revealed its 4C Concept in Geneva this year; a half-sized 8C Supercar look-a-like, minus the price tag... and the completely perfect styling.

What the 4C Concept lacked in size and cubic inches, it made up for with a light-weight carbon-fibre construction (850kg kerb weight), that promised a power to weight ratio worth making a fuss over.

A Top Gear report now suggests that Alfa has moved to using SMC (Sheet Molding Composite) as the base material for the production 4C’s body shell, which is not at all surprising, given the 4C’s expected circa 45,000 GBP pricing.

SMC is a glass-fibre reinforced polyethylene sheet material that, much like carbon-fibre, is light-weight and rigid.

Buyers should still get the benefit of a decidedly sporty power-to-weight ratio without the price tag that comes with a carbon-fibre construction.

With a 1.8 litre four-cylinder producing a rumoured 235kW expected to power the 4C, it is still expected to be an irresistible treat for the enthusiast looking to get back to basics with a light-weight, rear-wheel drive Alfa sports car.

The 4C is expected to enter production in 2012.