Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe Dropped Only In US, 4C Spider Lives On With Additional Equipment (Updated)

Update: Alfa Romeo communication manager Berj Alexanian told Carscoops that the 4C Coupe will continue to be offered international markets and will remain on sale in the United States while supplies last.

Alexanian also noted that the 2019 4C Spider – which runs from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds – will be offered with additional standard equipment including a “rear back-up camera, rear park sensors, cruise control and simplified packaging, along with extensive customization options.”

• Original story

The Alfa Romeo 4C was designed to put the brand back on the map but the car has been largely overlooked as buyers continue to flock to the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman.

While there have been conflicting reports about the car’s future, Motor Authority recently talked to Alfa Romeo 4C product manager Danny Britt who confirmed the coupe variant will be discontinued after the 2018 model year. It remains unclear if this only applies to the United States market but the 4C Spider will live on.

The decision to drop the coupe will have a significant impact on pricing as the publication says the 2019 4C Spider will start at $66,900. That’s $11,000 more than the 2018 4C Coupe which starts at $55,900.

Besides costing a $1,000 more than last year’s Spider, the 2019 model will come with additional standard equipment including a rearview camera. However, the optional Track Package will be dropped and be replaced by the same components which will be offered individually as options.

It remains unclear why Alfa Romeo decided to drop the Coupe and focus on the Spider, but it’s possible the latter model is more popular with consumers. Regardless of the company’s reasoning, the 4C has been a slow seller even by affordable halo car standards.

Carsalesbase data shows the company only sold 406 units in the United States last year and has only moved 95 units through May of this year. Things are slightly better in Europe as Alfa Romeo sold 871 4Cs on the continent in 2017.

While the 4C Coupe appears dead, Alfa Romeo has already announced plans to offer a new GTV and 8C by 2022. The latter model is slated to have a mid-mounted twin-turbo engine powering the rear wheels and an electric motor up front. This will enable the model to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in less than three seconds and have a combined output in excess of 700 hp (522 kW / 710 PS).

Of course, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles typically over promises and under delivers so there’s no guarantee that either model will actually see the light of day.