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Alfa Romeo 4C will be refreshed for the 2019 model year

Alfa Romeo Chief Technical Officer Roberto Fedeli said at a launch event for the Stelvio Quadrifoglio that an updated version of the 4C is coming next year as a 2019 model. "We are coming back to Formula 1," he said, "and we need the 4C to be our halo car," Fedeli told Autocar. But don't expect to see the refresh bring with it a manual transmission. No future high-performance models from Alfa, Maserati, or even Ferrari will be getting clutch pedals anytime soon, a decision reportedly made after Ferrari spent 10 million euros developing a manual gearbox for the California a few years back only to see exactly two customers choose the option over an automatic. We'd hazard a guess that Alfa will tone down its carbon-fiber 4C for the next generation. As fun as the little sportscar is on a race track, it's equally jarring to drive on regular roads. A revised suspension and perhaps power steering may be on the menu. Related Video:

The 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C should sound even better

We love the raw simplicity of the Alfa Romeo 4C – it is first and foremost a driver's car, and a great one at that. So while there are a number of updates for the 2016 model year, none of them mess with the 4C's inherent enthusiast-centric nature. In fact, these enhancements should only, well, enhance the overall driving experience. The thing we're most excited about is a new Akrapovic dual-mode titanium exhaust. Not only does this option relocate the exhaust tips to the center of the 4C's rump, it uses asymmetrical mufflers and a link pipe with a built-in resonator to create what we assume is an even better exhaust sound. The Akrapovic setup works with the Alfa's DNA drive select modes – in Dynamic and Race, things are loud and resonant, but in Natural and All-Weather settings, there's a quieter tone. Other 4C updates are less obvious. There's some more carbon fiber trim both inside and out, some new color combinations for the leather sport seats, and the Spider's premium audio system and lockable storage containers are now standard on the Coupe. Pricing isn't confirmed in Alfa's release, but from what we find on the company's consumer site, the Coupe starts at $55,900 and the Spider comes in at $65,900. Based on the 2015 models we tested, that means the added content has bumped up the Coupe's price by $2,000, and the Spider sees a modest $405 hike. Read all the details in the press blast below. ALFA ROMEO 4C AND 4C SPIDER ADD MORE PERSONALIZATION OPTIONS FOR 2016 New for 2016, Alfa Romeo is offering even more carbon fiber: - All-new carbon fiber halo offering elevates the 4C Spider's technical look, while hinting at its exclusive carbon-fiber monocoque chassis - All-new Carbon Fiber Trim Package further proliferates 4C and 4C Spider's use of carbon fiber on interior vents, instrument cluster surround and instrument panel and shift bezels - Bespoke Italian style: A new premium leather interior with Tobacco and Black sport seats paired with a Black leather interior with Tobacco accent stitching is now available - All-new Akrapovi?

Alfa Romeo to unveil Tonale at the Geneva Motor Show

Alfa Romeo is bringing a new model to the Geneva Motor Show, and it's likely to be called the Tonale. This is as much as we know so far. The Tonale, the name of which is currently being propped onto the stage in Geneva, is expected to be a small SUV. But the vehicle's basis is being hotly debated right before it's scheduled to be revealed. The compact SUV was also spied on the show floor right now, and the photo leak ran on the "Masera" Facebook page. First seen with its daytime running lights glowing under the wraps, then completely uncovered, the Tonale seems to have a sharp, yet curvy design, with aggressive front detailing. Based on earlier information, we're also expecting the Tonale to be available as a plug-in hybrid. Earlier information called the compact SUV to be based on FCA's Small Wide platform, with Automotive News saying it's likely to be sharing technology with the Jeep Compass, which is expected to be built in Italy in the near future. Later on, a Greek site called AutoBlog.gr (no relation) theorized that the new SUV would be built on the Giorgio platform instead, which would make it more of a true Alfa Romeo and a scaled-down Stelvio instead. As Carscoops says, the Tonale name comes from a mountain pass not quite as tall as the Stelvio Pass. The size and dimensions of the spied Tonale could make it likely to ride on Small Wide, or the long-wheelbase version of the platform, as the Small Wide platform (in several variants) underpins both the Renegade, Compass, and both the Fiat 500X and 500L, just with different lengths. The overhangs, especially the front, are longer than on Jeeps, but for it to run on a cut-down Giorgio might be a stretch. Related Video: