The future of the Alfa Romeo 4C coupé has been called into question, although the convertible will live on into 2019.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles confirmed to Autocar that the car's future is in question, with CEO Sergio Marchionne saying: "The 4C has some technical limitations in terms of type approval outside the US and Europe, so it has a limited future, as it will no longer be possible to register it and have it approved. For structural reasons, because of the monocoque".
If the 4C coupé were to be axed, it would leave Alfa Romeo without a coupé offering until the GTV returns before 2022.
The 4C, as a convertible, will be facelifted after five years on sale, with a reveal expected to take place before the end of the year and sales commencing early next year.
Alfa and Maserati engineering boss Roberto Fedeli confirmed to Autocar last year that revised suspension and steering would lead upgrades to improve the 4C’s on-road manners, while a new engine is also possible.
The 4C coupé's business case is ever harder for the model; the sports car market in Europe is unstable and the ageing 4C is not the class leader in terms of sales. Even the market-leading Audi TT shifted only 5520 units between January and May.
Elsewhere, Alfa is strengthening its sports car efforts. The new GTV will get a Quadrifoglio variant and expected cooking versions, while the 8C will return as a 700bhp-plus hybrid four-wheel-drive supercar capable of a 0-62mph sprint of less than three seconds.
Given the already low volume, however, if the car is unlikely to continue in right-hand drive if discontinued in left-hand drive.
Read more:
Fiat-Chrysler group: the next five years
Alfa Romeo brings back 8C and GTV, and adds two more SUVs
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I'm Confused
Spider
How many times do we have to tell Alfa to build a relatively affordable Spider. They're going to the GTV and new 8C at the top end so something a bit more 'mid-tier' would be great.
CUK
Interesting choice of registration plate. :D