Three new 2014 models, Alfa Romeo MiTo, Giulietta and 4C were launched to the Irish Motoring press at Mondello Park last week.

Alfa Romeo is targeting a revival of the brand in Ireland and this event was seen as the initial step to make Irish drivers aware that the brand has not gone away. Alfa chiefs believe that there is a fan base here for the Italian brand and are pushing forward with the re-launch with these three models.

The 2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo has gone on sale in Ireland offering customers higher specification, revised interiors, subtle styling enhancements and even more advanced technologies, including the Uconnect five-inch, colour, touch-screen infotainment system as standard equipment and the addition of the new 105hp TwinAir engine to the range.

The 2014 Alfa Romeo Giulietta is also now on sale in Ireland with renewed style, new engines and more technological content than ever before. Launched in Ireland in 2010, the Giulietta gets a new front grille design; revised front fog light bezels; new 16-, 17- and 18-inch alloy wheel designs and new exterior colours. 

Prices for the 2014 Alfa Romeo Giulietta start at €22,500 for the 1.4 TB 120hp Progression, while the diesel range starts at €24,500 for the 1.6 JTDM-2 105hp Progression. 

Most interest was held for the stunning Alfa Romeo 4C. Designed and engineered by Alfa Romeo and built at the Maserati plant in Modena, the mid-engined Alfa Romeo 4C showcases the latest technologies of Alfa Romeo's newest models: The new, all-aluminium 1750 Turbo Petrol engine; the latest-generation Alfa TCT dry twin clutch transmission and the ALFA D.N.A. driving mode selector - now with a new "Race" mode.

Carbon-fibre was chosen for the one-piece monocoque due its high levels of structural rigidity and exceptionally low weight - just 65kg - and is built using sophisticated Formula 1-derived technologies, evolved especially for Alfa Romeo for series production of up to 1,000 units per year. SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound), which is lighter than both steel and aluminium, is used for the bodywork while even the thickness of the glass has been slimmed down by 15% to help reduce the Alfa Romeo 4C's overall weight.

Less than 4m in length and with a wheelbase of 2.38m, the Alfa Romeo 4C's compact shape accentuates its remarkable agility: With a dry weight of 895kg and a 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution, the 4C is capable of generating 1.1g of lateral acceleration and in excess of 1.2g of deceleration force.

Accelerating from 0 to 100km/h takes just 4.5 seconds in the new Alfa Romeo 4C and top speed is 259km/h, but this supercar performance isn't at the expense of the environment. Due to its light weight and advanced engine and transmission technologies, the emissions of the Alfa Romeo 4C fall well within the strict limits of Euro 6. Its official combined-cycle fuel economy figure is 6.8 l/100km and its CO2 emissions are just 157g/km.

The Alfa Romeo 4C is on sale in Ireland priced from €69,900. There is only one specification for the Alfa Romeo 4C but a comprehensive array of optional equipment is offered, including a stiffer "Racing" suspension, larger 18- and 19-inch wheels with Pirelli AR Racing tyres and a sports exhaust system.