Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Spotted Testing

Our trusty Teamspeed spies have spotted car-maker Alfa Romeo road-testing the new 4C Spider. At first glance the 4C Spider has seemingly the same design as the coupe, but features a canvas soft top and carbon fiber rollover bars. Reports tell us the same lightweight material was used for the windscreen frame and spoilers, adding only 60 kg. in weight over the 4C Coupe.

The show car in Geneva had a centrally-positioned dual exhaust system with titanium and carbon tailpipes provided by Akrapovic with an electrically-operated valve system, improving not only the car's performances, but also its soundtrack.

Another novelty was represented by the more attractive carbon fiber clamshell headlights, together with restyled alloys wrapped around in Pirelli tires. Both will make it into the production model.

Power for the Spider will come from the same 1.75-litre four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine sending 240 hp and 350 Nm to the rear wheels through a dual-clutch 6-speed TCT gearbox enabling the concept to hit 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds before topping out at 250 km/h.

We could only dream about a more powerful engine mated to a manual gearbox (which would make the perfect roadster in my opinion), but for now this will have to do. Alfa Romeo has announced the 4C Spider is slated to enter production phase early next year.