UPDATE 05/12/2014: Check out some exciting new up-close-and-personal pics of the new Alfa Romeo 4C.

The new 7th Generation Chevrolet Corvette is taking the world by storm as a fantastic handling, well built sports car. In the past, the Corvette couldn’t make that claim. Later this year, Alfa Romeo’s return to the US marketplace will come in the form of the 4C. It has also been making news for being one of the more pure sports cars that has gone on sale in ages. Even though they are seemingly intended for different audiences, both vehicles will cost roughly the same amount of money. We wouldn’t be surprised to see people potentially cross shopping those vehicles for that reason, so lets take a look at why someone might consider looking at an Alfa Romeo 4C over the new Chevrolet Corvette.

Alfa Romeo 4C

The Alfa Romeo 4C marks the company’s return to the US.

Alfa Romeo is an Italian car manufacturer that falls under the new Fiat Chrysler Automobiles brand. The new 4C is intended to reignite interest in the brand after the left the United States at the end of 1995. The car features a 1.75L turbocharged engine making 237hp and 258lbs/ft of torque. That may not seem like a lot, but the 4C weighs less than 2,000lbs. The lightweight Italian should be able to scoot to 60mph in 4.4 seconds. It features a mid-engine layout, which means that the engine sits behind the driver and sends power to the rear wheels. Also helping performance is a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

alfa romeo 4c

The 4C is mid-engined and rear-wheel drive.

To help save weight, the Alfa Romeo 4C does lack some features that many cars have. The most notable item lacking is power steering. Automotive enthusiasts have lamented that sports cars now have electric power steering. They claim that it makes it difficult to feel what the front wheels are doing. The 4C’s lack of any assistance provides the most feedback and both Richard Hammond of Top Gear and Matt Davis of Autoblog both like the system. Davis goes as far as declaring the 4C a “mini 458,” which is high praise comparing it to the performance of the Ferrari 458 Italia. Around town, the 4C will require a bit of strength to maneuver.

alfa romeo 4c

The turbocharged 4C will get from 0 to 60 in about 4.4 seconds.

For the United States, the 4C will come standard with basic air conditioning and a radio, but not much else. On the other hand, the Corvette comes with a high-quality interior and loads of technology.

The 7th Generation Corvette Stingray has 460hp and will make the run to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds. Despite weighing nearly 1200lbs more than the 4C, the V8 under the hood of the Corvette simply overpowers what the little Alfa Romeo. The vehicles have not been compared head-to-head on the track yet, but we expect the 4C to feel better cornering even if the Corvette ends up being faster.

alfa romeo 4c

The 4C will go on sale this fall in the US starting at $55,000.

The Corvette loyalists will stick with the Corvette, but for people looking for a good driving sports car that not everyone has, the Alfa Romeo 4C should be worth looking at.