Alfa Romeo 4C concept (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

Alfa Romeo has unveiled this gorgeous, mid-engined 4C concept car at the 2011 Geneva motor show, previewing a production vehicle due in 2012.

No, it's not a production version of Pininfarina's 2uettottanta. Instead, it's a two-seat baby supercar, with 8C-inpspired styling. At around four metres long and with a wheelbase of under 2.4 metres, the 4C is a little big bigger than a Lotus Elise. And it's absolutely gorgeous. We'll leave you to drool for a minute.

It's pretty special. The 4C concept is mid-engined and rear-wheel drive, with a turbocharged and direct injected 1742cc '1750TBi pinched from the Brera and Giulietta. Alfa will only say the power output is 'over 200hp' but in the Giulietta Cloverleaf the engine produces 232bhp; it's mated to Alfa's twin-clutch TCT gearbox. The weight distribution is 40:60 rear-biased and there's Alfa's DNA system to tweak the steering, throttle and transmission settings.

It's been rumoured for a while that the Fiat Group has been plotting to use the KTM X-Bow's carbon tub, but Alfa sources we spoke to claim the chassis of 4C isn't related to the Austrian trackday toy. It is carbonfibre though, with aluminium crash boxes and suspension mounts, all of which helps keeps the 4C's kerbweight under 850kg. Mix the lot and you get 0-62mph in under five seconds and a top speed of over 155mph.

The best bit? In Alfa's own words: 'This car is not simply an exercise in style created for the Motor Show; it will be on sale in 2012.'

By Mark Hamilton