The new Alfa Romeo 4C is gearing up for its market launch in selected markets around the world, including the UK. In Britain the car will go on sale in October, with deliveries expected in early 2014. And it is going to be rare and expensive.

Global production for the Alfa Romeo 4C is limited to just 3,500 units, which means even if you have the £45,000 asking price, you may never manage to get one. Limited production also means the second-hand market is going to be quite hot as well, with prices appreciating in time rather than plummeting.

If you do manage to get an Alfa Romeo 4C UK spec though, you’ll be chuffed to bits with its style, performance, and the sheer joy of driving a mid-engined Italian sports car. It only has a 1,750cc engine, but it’s turbocharged to 240 horsepower. And since at 895 kg the 4C weighs next to nothing, the performance is very satisfying.

Accelerating from 0 to 62mph takes just 4.5 seconds in the new Alfa Romeo 4C and top speed is 160mph. As for the fuel consumption, the 4C manages an excellent, for a sports car, 41.5MPG with CO₂ emissions of just 157g/km.

The 4C’s brilliant handling is the result of some careful engineering, with double-wishbone front suspension bolted directly to the monocoque, and performance-tuned McPherson struts at the back. The brakes feature aluminium/cast iron hybrid construction complete with ventilated, cross-drilled 305mm/292mm discs (F/R) clamped by Brembo callipers. 17-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels are standard, while 18/19-inch wheels with Alfa Romeo’s signature, five-hole “telephone dial” design are optional.