Automotive

Alfa Romeo takes the covers off production 4C Spider in Detroit

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The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider just made its debut at the 2015 Detroit Motor Show (Photo: Loz Blain/Gizmag)
The 4C Spider was revealed alongside the 4C Coupe, as well as some of its older relatives (Photo: Loz Blain/Gizmag)
Both 4C's are powered by the same four-cylinder engine (Photo: Loz Blain/Gizmag)
The Spider's windshield surround is made of carbon fiber (Photo: Loz Blain/Gizmag)
Carbon fiber is used extensively in the 4C Spider's construction
A soft top is standard, with the option for a removable carbon fiber roof panel
The Spider's headlamp cluster is far neater than that on the original coupe
Quad exhaust pipes are standard, with an optional Akrapovic system available
Alfa's signature grille is prominent on the 4C
The 4C's gearbox is a dual clutch unit
The heavily turbocharged engine provides plenty of low-down torque
The 4C's good looks have not been damaged in the transition from Coupe to Spider
0-60 mph takes just 4.1 seconds
Inside, contrast stitching is standard on the leather seats
Alfa is hoping to revive its racing heritage in the USA with the 4C Spider
Unassisted steering is part of the 4C package
The 4C Spider was previewed in Geneva
The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
Alfa claims the 4C can reach 1.25 g under brakes
Cleaner headlamp clusters are part of the Spider package
The 4C's squat proportions help its handling and styling
The 4C Spider
The 4C Spider and Coupe
Inside, carbon provides a hint to the 4C's exotic construction
The Spider's wheels are different to those standard on the Coupe
Carbon fiber highlights add to the 4C's supercar-like appeal
The drop-top allows plenty of fresh air into the cabin
The 4C's swoopy styling translates well from Coupe to Spider
The 4C's engine
The 4C Coupe in Detroit (Photo: Loz Blain/Gizmag)
The 4C Coupe in Detroit (Photo: Loz Blain/Gizmag)
The 4C Coupe in Detroit (Photo: Loz Blain/Gizmag)
The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider just made its debut at the 2015 Detroit Motor Show (Photo: Loz Blain/Gizmag)
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Alfa Romeo has used the North American International Motor Show (NAIAS) to launch the convertible version of its 4C sportscar. The 4C Spider retains the coupe's lightweight carbon fiber construction while allowing drivers to get closer to nature or, if you'd prefer, to the car's heavily turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Powering the Spider is the same 1.75-liter, 4-cylinder motor that hides under the coupe's hood. Producing 237 hp (177 kW), the 4C's engine is turbocharged for prodigious low down torque: the engine's full 350 Nm (258 lb.ft) of torque is available between 2,200 and 4,250 rpm. The dual-clutch gearbox from the 4C Coupe also carries over.

According to Alfa Romeo's Head of North America, Reid Bigland, the 4C Spider's removable top allows drivers to experience the car from "an entirely new perspective" – be it through the standard removable soft top, or the optional carbon fiber lid.

The drop-top allows plenty of fresh air into the cabin

Differentiating the 4C Spider from its Coupe brethren (besides the missing roof, of course) is a carbon fiber windshield surround and a set of new alloy wheels, as well as an Akrapovic exhaust system that swaps the standard car's quad tailpipes for a set of center-mounted units that should give the engine a more distinctive sound.

Very few tweaks have been made from the 4C Spider Concept released last year: cleaner headlamp units (which replace the carbon surrounded, bug-eyed units on the launch Coupe) have carried over from the car shown at Geneva, as have the aluminum wheels featured on the Geneva design preview.

Cleaner headlamp clusters are part of the Spider package

The Spider's interior is brightened up by standard contrast stitching, which is available in a number of different color combinations depending on whether owners decide to tick the "track pack" on the options list.

If you like the look of the 4C without its top, you don't have to wait long. Alfa Romeo says the car should arrive in North American dealerships this summer, although there is no mention of pricing.

Source: Alfa Romeo

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