Chrysler and Fiat are planning to make their next big push in the American market with the release of the Alfa Romeo 4C. However, Chrysler will have to wait until the second quarter of 2014 to unveil the car to Americans.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of both Chrysler and Fiat, stated earlier this year that “For sure, it’s coming back this year. We’re finalizing the car now so it should be here by the end of the year.” Marchionne has been mum, though, as to why the launch of the 4C has been delayed.

Early signs pointed to the engine as the reason for the later reveal. At the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, Marchionne hinted toward concerns with the engine: “With all due respect to my American friends, it (the 4C engine) needs to be a wop engine.” Other signs have cited the delay as the failure to find an appropriate dealer.

Whatever the delay, the US has now been “promised” that the Alfa Romeo 4C will launch in Q2 of next year. This will be Alfa Romeo’s first real foray into the American market since 1995. Once the 4C hits the markets, though, no one will be disappointed.

The Alfa Romeo 4C is a sporty 2-seater which sports a 1.7L, 240 hp turbo DOHC engine. While that may not sound outstandingly impressive for a sports-car, the 4C weighs in at only 2,500 pounds due to its carbon-fiber chassis and fiberglass construction. Cars with similar chassis and body-construction are the Lamborghini Aventador, Pagani Huayra, and Bugatti Veyron.

Fortunately for consumers, the 4C will not carry the same price-tag as the before-mentioned sports-cars. Instead, the 4C will be priced at $54,000, around the same price as the Corvette Stingray or the Porsche Cayman. The 4C also compares similarly with the Stingray and Cayman in terms of speed. The 4C can go from 0-62 in 4.5 seconds, which stacks it right between the Corvette (0-60 in 3.8) and Cayman (0-60 in 5.4).

Unfortunately, however, the Alfa Romeo 4C will only be sold at Maserati dealerships, making it a hard find. Due to a limited release, the 4C may be sold out faster than it can complete a lap around the Nürburgring (which happens to be 8 minutes and 4 seconds).

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