Alfa Romeo release new interior view of the 4C and confirm its 237bhp power output

One week before its launch in Geneva, Alfa Romeo has released several new images of its new mid-engined sports car, including the first of its interior.

Just like McLaren’s new P1, the 4C is designed to focus entirely on the driver’s needs and like the P1 you’ll notice plenty of exposed carbon fibre, used to create the 4C’s central cell. It’s left in full view to enhance the sense of minimal weight, while emphasising the 4C’s unique method of construction in its class.

The dashboard and door panels receive an “asphalt ” treatment, while the seats are made of a composite material with an upright sports car posture, designed to enhance the driver’s feel of the road without compromising the comfort required for everyday use.

The simple dashboard is devoid of any fripperies, while the digital instruments and gear shift controls are located on the appropriately shaped steering wheel. The pedal unit and foot boards for driver and passenger are all made of aluminium and embellish the lower part under the dashboard.

Alfa describe the 4C’s cockpit design as inspired by the world of motorcycle racing and race cars, bringing together all the information necessary to drive and control the car – without any superfluous details.

It’s a formula that worked well for the Lotus Elise, which remains the 4C’s clearest competitor and only time will tell whether Alfa are able to justify its price premium over Norfolk’s class-leading sports cars.

Built in the Maserati plant in Modena, the 4C is powered by a 237bhp 1750 Turbo Petrol engine, based on the unit already used in the Quadrifoglio Verde version of the Giulietta. Alfa has finally confirmed the power output (after merely hinting of it previously), by doing so they have also confirmed the 4C’s weight of 960kg.

The engine features direct fuel injection with dual continuous variable valve timing, while a revolutionary scavenging control system is claimed to remove any turbo lag.

Power is applied to the rear wheels and controlled via Alfa’s sophisticated “TCT” twin dry clutch transmission, which is claimed to set new standards in the segment due to its light weight and extremely quick shift action. The gears can be changed in sequential mode using the “shift paddles” located behind the steering wheel.