Alfa Romeo 4C arrives stateside in New York

Not long after the last transport departed New York Harbor with a cargo of unsold 164s, an Alfa Romeo executive was probably quoted as saying, "we will return next year!" We have been eagerly anticipating the return of Alfa Romeo for the last 19 years, long enough for the last Milano to rust whence it came, every year the brand just another year away!

Well, this year -- yes, this year, finally, no really -- the Alfa Romeo 4C heralds the brand's reintroduction to America -- just as it did last year, remember -- as early as this summer. You'll have to forgive us for such skepticism -- we've been burned by our desire to invoke Italian driving passion and all that, but it's also hurting the Fiat dealers who scrape by on a lack of product. The 4C returns amidst rumors of Alfa reneging on its Mazda Miata partnership, announcing an all rear-drive strategy, and struggling sales in Europe (that aren't a rumor).

When people are pushed to the wall, they attempt something bold to bounce back. In that vein, the 4C proves to be the prettiest Italian to arrive Stateside since Lee Iacocca's mother.

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The 4C's 1.8-liter engine makes 237hp and 258 ft-lb of torque, mounted somewhere behind the driver's right ear.

We get 500 Launch Edition 4C models first, available with individually numbered badging. You can have any color you like, as long as it's two shades of red or white -- accented by carbon fiber mirrors and spoiler. A race exhaust promises to battle the Jaguar F-Type for factory-level cop-baiting shenanigans. Sports suspension underpins the carbon fiber construction -- under 2,000 pounds, in European trim -- with tuned shocks and sway bars front and rear.

The Americans, of course, won't see such lightness added. We have different crash test requirements, airbag requirements, taste and comfort requirements. For us, air conditioning and a stereo are standard. Alfa Romeo still believes the car will be under 2,300 pounds.

> Check out our review of the Alfa Romeo 4C here.

Fortunately, we get the more attractive one-piece headlights that debuted on the Spider at Geneva earlier this year -- we should be getting the convertible, as well. When it comes.

The Launch Edition will ring in at around $70,000. Regular cars will start at $54,000. Given the extreme lightweight construction, it reminds us of the Lotus Elise when it was still sold here -- those came in at around the same price.

Deliveries of the 4C begin this summer -- June, to be specific. To Chrysler Fiat Automobiles, we'll be holding you to this.

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Expect to pay $70,000 for the 4C Launch Edition when it arrives in June. Or so they say. This time.

By Blake Z. Rong