Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Pops Its Top At 2015 Detroit Motor Show

Perhaps the least surprising unveiling at this year's Detroit Auto Show, the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider has been on our radar ever since it debuted in concept form at Geneva last year. And with its reveal, US buyers now have a whole two models to choose from. The 4C's carbon-fiber monocoque was engineered from the outset to be a convertible. All Alfa had to do was slip an aluminum rollbar underneath the carbon-fiber roll hoop, or "halo," and add some new upper body brackets and a crossbeam over the engine to maintain stiffness.

For now, a cloth roof that can be stowed away will keep out the elements, but an exposed carbon-fiber hardtop will arrive later in the year. Out back, buyers will have the option of a center-mounted dual-mode Akrapovic performance exhaust with carbon-fiber surrounds, while the Spider also boasts three functional air extractors in the new decklid, an aero-optimized spoiler, LED taillights and new headlights. Four new alloy designs, ranging from 17 to 19 inches in size can be paired with silver, red, yellow, or black brake calipers, there's seven paintjobs to choose from including a new Giallo (yellow), and depending on the package the cockpit comes in black, red, or Tobacco cross-stitched leather.

Weighing in at only 10 kg more than its fixed-roof sibling, the 4C Spider is just as capable. The 1.75-liter turbo-four delivers 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a twin-clutch box helping it to sprint to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and hit a 160 mph top speed. Inside, composite-framed sports seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel come wrapped in leather, while the cabin sports carbon-fiber vent surrounds, a seven-inch color digital cluster and an Alpine sound system. The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider will launch in North America this summer.