2015 Alfa Romeo 4C

For once, Alfa Romeo lived up to its word and finally marked its return to the North American market today after a 22-year long hiatus with the debut of the 4C mid-engine sports coupe at the 2014 New York Auto Show.

Since the car is more or less the same as the one we've seen in Europe (a question mark remains on whether it has gained weight in N.A. spec) with a 1.75-liter turbocharged inline four channeling 237hp and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque to the rear wheels via a paddle-shifting TCT twin-clutch transmission, we'll just jump to what Alfa said about availability.

In the U.S., the 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C was in showrooms last June in a special Launch Edition trim of which only 500 examples will be built.

The serialized 4C Launch Edition models sport the following features:

· Alfa Red, Rosso Competizione or Madreperla White exterior paint

· Bi-xenon headlamps with LED illuminated daytime running lights

· Carbon fiber rear spoiler and mirror caps

· Aluminum rear diffuser

· Race suspension tuning with front- and rear-sway bars and performance-tuned shock absorbers

· Racing exhaust

· Staggered 18-inch (front) and 19-inch (rear) forged wheels painted in Dark Gray

· Red lacquered brake calipers

· Sport seats with black microfiber

· Leather-wrapped instrument and door panels

· Red or White interior accent stitching on the instrument panel, steering wheel, handbrake, floor mats and door handles

· Serialized “Launch Edition” plaque

Pricing has not yet been announced, while we're still waiting for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to tell usthrough which dealerships it will offer the car.

By John Halas

Note: Updated with live photos from the NY Auto Show