The U.S. relaunch of Italian automaker Alfa Romeo will be spearheaded by the mid-engine 4C sports car.

The production version of the 4C will make its debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, which is also when the official relaunch of the brand will take place.

The 4C will be the first of several American models for the Italian automaker that is being rejuvenated stateside by parent company, Fiat. They hope to bring the five-door Mito, new Spider, Giulia sedan and wagon, a new compact SUV, and the new flagship 6C to America by 2016.

Once Alfa Romeo establishes itself back on American soil, it will turn attention to the Chinese market. After displaying a booth at the Guangzhou Motor Show last year, the company was pleased with the results and the response its models received.

Autocar is also reporting that the 4C will be offered with a dual-clutch, automatic transmission with paddle shifters, but no manual transmission option. The 4C will be powered by Alfa Romeo’s 230-hp, turbo inline four cylinder.

[Source: Autocar UK]

Discuss this story at 4CForums.com

Well it ever get here? Based on the latest scuttlebutt regarding the U.S. launch of Mahindra’s compact pickup, it’s looking less likely with each passing day. Global Vehicles USA, the licensed distributor for Mahindra vehicles in this country has filed a lawsuit against the Indian manufacturer for repeated delays in bring the trucks over, which is costing Global a pretty penny, since GV has already signed up approximately 350 dealers and spent nearly $35 million in preparation for launching the Mahindra pickup Stateside.

According to Mike Geylin, spokesman for GV USA, Mahindra has repeatedly dragged its feet regarding the launch date and the lawsuit “seeks to compel the Indian company to honor it’s contractual obligations and begin shipping [the vehicles] pursuant to existing and long standing orders placed by Global Vehicles on behalf of its dealers.”

Mahindra spokesman Pawan Goenka stated that “we are going as per (our) original plan for the launch of the pickup truck (December 2010), but can’t say on the actual time of the launch as it will depend on the outcome of the litigation.”  The soap opera continues…

[Source: Pickup trucks.com]