菲亚特豪车品牌阿尔法•罗密欧4C千呼万唤始出来

    早在两个月前，菲亚特克莱斯勒公司（Fiat Chrysler）首席执行官塞尔吉奥•马尔基翁就曾经宣布，经过多次推迟之后，阿尔法•罗密欧（Alfa Romeo）4C终于做好了最后的准备，迎接自己在美国即将到来的黄金时代。

    上周四，菲亚特克莱斯勒公司提供了这款迷人的意大利产双座汽车的几辆样车，供外界在密歇根州切尔西的汽车试验场进行试驾。除了例行公事的吹毛求疵之外，汽车业记者们纷纷被4C的性能，尤其是它流线型的低车身外观所折服。

    几个月后，500辆“首发版”将在北美地区销售，售价低于70,000美元。首发版中将包括许多额外的装饰，例如碳纤维内饰等。这家公司预计销售不超过1000辆手工打造的4C。普通版的价格较低，起售价为55,000美元；两版车型的目标客户都是已经拥有多辆汽车的富裕阶层。

    除了4C外，菲亚特克莱斯勒还有更大的野心。它计划至2018年推出另外八款阿尔法车型，全部在意大利生产，全部具有法拉利的工程与设计特点。即将由85家阿尔法•罗密欧经销商销售的4C只是阿尔法扩充计划的第一步。在切尔西，菲亚特克莱斯勒的高管表示，特许经销权可能意味着50亿美元的投资。菲亚特克莱斯勒与马尔基翁仍然需要通过融资来获得所需要的大部分资金。

    太平洋汽车公司（AutoPacific）产品分析经理戴维•苏利文说：“4C将比莲花集团（Lotus）的任何车型都要更为引人注目。”莲花集团是生产异国情调跑车的英国制造商。

    他说：“虽然我的身高是六英尺三英寸，但我没法开这款车。我的视线在防晒板上方。此外，上下车也非常困难。大家肯定不希望自己的妻子穿着裙子从这辆车上下来。”

    但尽管有这些局限性，苏利文还是表示，自己对于“能看到它上路感到异常兴奋。”

    4C车身重2,465英镑，采用1.7升发动机，额定功率为237马力，扭矩为259英尺-磅，拥有超高的动力-重量比。虽然这款汽车还达不到令人目眩的速度，但也却足以让人心跳加快。阿尔法•罗密欧4C采用碳纤维座舱和铝制车身框架，而外部则使用了塑料复合材料，使车身达到极度轻量化。

    2009年克莱斯勒（Chrysler）破产之后，由马尔基翁接管。他的管理和策略，以及与菲亚特（Fiat）的合并，产生了神奇的效果。但要想保证菲亚特克莱斯勒成为风投目标，还有许多工作要做；其中最艰巨的任务之一就是打造一个豪华品牌，而这正是阿尔法的使命。

    要想了解菲亚特克莱斯勒的未来，关键是关注阿尔法——看看它会产生什么样的话题，以及投资者在其他产品投入资金的热情。（财富中文网）

    译者：刘进龙/汪皓

    Less than two months ago Sergio Marchionne, Fiat Chrysler’s chief executive, announced that the Alfa Romeo 4C was finally ready for prime time in the U.S., following several delays.

    On Thursday, several copies of the sexy Italian two-seater were available for test laps at FCA’s proving grounds in Chelsea, Mich. Aside from routine nitpicking, automotive journalists registered respect, if not awe, at the 4C’s performance and especially its low-slung, curvy exterior.

    Within a few months, 500 of Alfa’s “Launch Edition” of the 4C — featuring a few extra frills, such as carbon fiber accents in the interior — will go on sale for just under $70,000 in North America. The company doesn’t expect to sell more than a thousand or so of the hand-built 4Cs. The regular edition will cost slightly less, starting at $55,000; both are aimed at well-heeled customers who probably already own a few vehicles.

    Fiat Chrysler has much bigger ambitions than this particular model. The 4C, to be sold at 85 Alfa Romeo dealerships, is the precursor of eight more Alfa models through 2018, all built in Italy and all containing a dose of Ferrari engineering and design expertise. Fiat Chrysler executives in Chelsea said the franchise could represent a $5 billion investment. Fiat Chrysler and Marchionne still must raise much of the capital that is needed.

    Dave Sullivan, manager of product analysis for AutoPacific, said “the 4C will turn more heads than anything from Lotus,” the British maker of exotic sports cars.

    “I am six foot, three inches, though, and I can’t drive it. My line of vision is above the sun visor. I also had a very difficult time trying to climb/roll out of it. This is not a car you’d want your wife trying to get out of in a skirt,” he said.

    Its limitations notwithstanding, Sullivan said he’s “excited to see it on the road.”

    At 2,465 pounds and powered by a 1.7-liter engine rated at 237 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque, the car has an extremely high power-to-weight ratio. It’s not blindingly fast, but it’s certainly quick enough to raise your pulse. Its light weight is achieved by a carbon fiber cockpit, extensive use of aluminum in the structure and plastic composite for the exterior.

    Marchionne’s management and strategy since taking over Chrysler following its 2009 bankruptcy, and uniting the company with Fiat, have been magical. Much work remains, though, to ensure Fiat Chrysler can remain a going venture; one of the most formidable tasks is the creation of a luxury franchise, which is Alfa’s mission.

    Keeping an eye on Alfa — on what kind of buzz it generates and on how eager investors are to risk capital on the rest of product line — are key to understanding Fiat Chrysler’s future.