When Alfa Romeo launched the 4C coupe sports car in 2013 it was heralded as the b-of the bang in rejuvenating the fortunes of the Italian company, specifically in America. The 4C was given universal appraise by motoring journalists across the world. Subsequently, sales bombed and the 4C was eventually withdrawn for sale in the North American territory. The triumphal return for Alfa Romeo never materialized. The 4C is still officially in production however it isn’t listed on Alfa Romeo’s UK retail website, which means only one thing, it’s game over for Alfa’s little sports car.

The market for small Sportscars is slowly diminishing, in the past, the sales of small sports cars were driven by people who are now referred to as “boomers”. Changing buying behaviors and preferences have shifted over the last 40-50 years, people want SUVs that’s where the market is right now.

So the small, plucky little sports car as it was, is now more akin to a religious cult these days. But it is still very much alive in the creative minds of designers such as Yung Presciutti, a designer by trade, who has conceptualized his vision of an Alfa 4C successor. Presciutti’s concept keeps to the 4C’s dimensions but adds considerable muscular flare. We like the floating roof effect.

Indeed, this design reminds us of the Lotus Elise. But don’t expect to see a 4C successor anytime soon. If the demand for the current 4C isn’t there then Alfa will not bother again until it’s financially stable enough to throw resources at another attempt to show respect to it’s long gone motor-racing heritage. The Alfa Romeo F1 squad is just a branding exercise.