At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show we all stared in awe at what Alfa Romeo had on display. Its new 4C coupe had everything an enthusiast long for in a car: lightweight, exceptional power to weight ratio, and to top it off a price tag that could be considered cheap. Its production is supposed to start in 2013, but on its way to the assembly line it seems the car forgot something.

That “something” is an essential part of its lightness, mainly the carbon fiber body. On the other hand, that may not be such a bad thing, as Top Gear informs us. Instead of carbon, the body will be made with SMC (sheet molding composite) which is a glass-fiber reinforced polyester sheet material. SMC is similar to carbon fiber in that it also is light and rigid. The concept car weighted in at 1875 pounds, but the production model should not overtake that number by too much.

On a more positive note, Alfa Romeo says the C4 will be almost identical to the concept in looks. Its 1.75 liter turbo engine is expected to produce some 230 horsepower, and break the 60 mph barrier in 4.5 seconds. Considering the car sits on a mid-engine platform with rear wheel drive, and the targeted 1880 pound limit, the new C4 should prove to be a pleasure to drive.

The price in Europe revolves around the 70,000 dollar (45,000 British pounds) limit. The US should see it near the 60,000 dollar range, as history has shown us in so many cases.