Alfa Romeo 4C news

It's an oft-quoted Top Gear truism that you're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa.

Happily, the new 4C concept - the compact supercar that wowed us all at Geneva last month - makes considering future Alfa ownership almost mandatory.  

To remind you: it measures just four metres long - the same length as a Mito - and houses the Giulietta's 200bhp 1.7-litre turbocharged petrol engine mounted in the middle, powering the rear wheels. Alfa reckons it'll hit 62mph in under five and rock on to over 155mph.

The whole body is said to weigh no more than 850kg, which is slightly heavier than a mosquito, and uses the composite chassis and tub from KTM's X-Bow. It's a mid-engined, two-seat lightweight Alfa sports car with looks to pillage and kill for and - hopefully - engaging dynamics. And it's mooted to cost around £38,000.

We'll keep an eye on the 4C's progress, but in the meantime enjoy this just-released time-lapse video of the concept being built: