Alfa Romeo is embarking on a venture to develop a compact electric sports car, poised to take on competitors like the future Alpine A110 and the all-electric Porsche Boxster. This forthcoming addition to Alfa Romeo's lineup is set to be a spiritual successor to the Alfa Romeo 4C, although its official launch is not anticipated until after 2027.
The announcement of this new sports car project follows closely on the heels of Alfa Romeo's unveiling of the limited-edition 33 Stradale, a masterpiece restricted to just 33 units worldwide. In contrast to the exclusivity of the 33 Stradale, the upcoming sports car is slated for mass production and could potentially carry the iconic ‘Spider' moniker, a tradition that Alfa Romeo is reluctant to let go of.
Alfa Romeo's product boss, Daniel Guzzafame, underscored the brand's commitment to certain enduring elements, stating, “There are some items from Alfa Romeo that we don't kill: one is the Spider, the other is a love of cars. We do want to continue them because that's the brand. And that's in our ideas, so let's see if we can make that a plan.”
The automaker's focus on bringing this new sports car to market will intensify once it achieves a lineup comprising five models. While it is suggested that the car might bear the name ‘4E Spider,' it could also draw design inspiration from the illustrious 33 Stradale, a vehicle also being offered with an electric powertrain. Guzzafame hinted at the possibility of incorporating design elements reminiscent of the ‘Duetto' Spider, a Pininfarina creation from the 1960s.
In terms of the powertrain, the upcoming 4E Spider might find its foundation in the STLA Medium platform, a Stellantis platform also employed in the new Peugeot E-3008. The car's performance characteristics remain somewhat enigmatic, contingent on Alfa Romeo's positioning strategy. While it could potentially inherit a powertrain akin to the next-generation Giulia EV sedan, rumored to feature a 100 kWh battery pack, a 500-mile range, and up to 1,000 hp, it is more plausible that a downsized battery pack will be adopted to preserve the car's nimbleness and agility.
Daniel Guzzafame underscored Alfa Romeo's dedication to enhancing the emotional appeal of the car, crafting an authentic sports car experience worthy of the revered Clover Leaf badge. He emphasized, “It's not what you hear, it's what you feel. We're working on how to transfer that into a vibe, more than sound, and something that will resonate in your ear because you need to get something from your gut. If you feel that, then that will be the future of Alfa Romeo.”
