Remember the Alfa Romeo 4C concept from the 2011 Geneva Auto Show? This featherweight carbon-fiber sports car powered by a mid-mounted turbocharged 1.8-liter 4-cylinder putting out 200 bhp heralds Alfa’s return to the U.S.

The question of where it will be built has been answered as Maserati confirmed it will assemble the coupe at its Modena plant. Expect it to arrive in 2013 priced above $50,000—right in Porsche Cayman country.

If Alfa Romeo finally makes good on its promise to re-enter the U.S. market, one of the most exciting models in the Italian automaker’s future lineup will be the 4C sports car, seen here almost completely devoid of disguise.

Scheduled to appear in production form next year, most likely during the 2013 Geneva Auto Show, the 4C is intended to be an affordable halo car for the Alfa Romeo brand.

Unlike the discontinued and hugely expensive 8C Competizione supercar, which carried a Ferrari-like price in excess of $200,000 per copy, the 4C is expected to fall in the region of $55,000 to $65,000.

That will be quite an achievement, considering the platform is new and looks to make extensive use of lightweight components, such as aluminum and carbon fiber.

Chris Quinn | Elite.