What's the news?
The Alfa Romeo 4C has gone on sale in Ireland priced at €69,900. Unveiled to media at Mondello Park this week, only 200 right-hand drive versions of the mid-engined supercar have been earmarked for the UK and Ireland per year and there is already talk of an 18-month waiting list. This is partly down to the labour intensive production of the 4C's carbon fibre monocoque, which gives the Alfa its exceptionally low weight. Despite only packing a 240hp 1.8-litre turbocharged engine (or '1750' in Alfa Romeo parlance) the 895kg car can complete the 0-100km/h dash in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 259km/h.
There is only one specification for the Alfa Romeo 4C, but a comprehensive array of optional equipment is offered, including a stiffer "Racing" chassis, larger 18- and 19-inch wheels with Pirelli AR Racing tyres and a sports exhaust system. All cars comes as standard with the latest-generation Alfa TCT twin clutch transmission and the D.N.A. driving mode selector - now with a new "Race" mode that disables the safety systems and speeds up the gearshifts for faster lap times. Race mode also includes a launch control function that shaves half a second off the 0-100km/h time.
Not only does the car's low weight benefit performance, it also helps economy. The 4C's official combined cycle fuel consumption figure is 6.8 litres/100km and its CO2 emissions of 157g/km makes for Band D motor tax of €570 a year.
Anything else?
Also new to the Irish market are updated version of the MiTo and Giulietta hatchbacks. With mildly tweaked looks the big news for both models are improved interiors and generous standard specification. Both models now get alloy wheels, air conditioning and a five-inch Uconnect infotainment system as standard, while a 6.5-inch system with satellite navigation is an optional extra on Giulietta models.
The TwinAir petrol engine under the bonnet of the MiTo has also received a useful power hike: up from 85- to 105hp. The range of the smallest car in the Alfa offering has also been streamlined with Sprint and Distinctive versions now forming the entirety of the line-up. Prices for the 2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo start at €20,900 for the 105hp TwinAir Sprint.
The Giulietta range has also changed with new Progression, Distinctive and Exclusive trim lines, each of which features a comprehensive list of additions with minimal price increase over the Turismo, Lusso and Veloce sepcifications of old. Prices for the Giulietta start at €22,500 for the 1.4 TB 120hp Progression, while the diesel range starts at €24,500 for the 1.6 JTDM-2 105hp Progression. Prices for Alfa Romeo Giulietta models powered by the new 2.0 JTDM-2 150hp engine start at €27,650 in Distinctive trim, while the new range-topping 2.0 JTDM-2 175hp with TCT transmission is priced at €32,650 in Exclusive trim only.
Click here to read our first drive of the Alfa Romeo 4C
Click here to read our first drive of the revised Alfa Romeo MiTo