Alfa Romeo is in a difficult position, with effectively just two models - the Giulietta and MiTo - to carry it through until new additions arrive to bolster the range, which now appears to be in 2013 at the earliest. Instead it has to focus for the time being on leveraging the B- and C-segment hatchbacks, widening the range and improving the mix.

The 4C Concept debuted at Geneva and was one of the show's stars, it will be back again in Frankfurt to rub some 'halo' magic off on the brand, this time the two-seat sports car will be finished in a new "Fluid Metal" livery. In its official preview, today, Alfa Romeo says that "the launch of the 4C is scheduled in 2013", which sweeps away management's claims that it would arrive next year, albeit at the latest count a date of December 2012. According to Alfa Romeo, today, work is continuing on the project: "In recent months the project was refined and enriched with technical contents to enhance the dynamic excellence of the car." In Geneva, and at is recent presentations at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and MotorVillage Paris, the 4C Concept was simply a show car with very little connected underneath; in Frankfurt the project therefore might reveal some technical progress. The brand continues to say that "the weight is confirmed at around 850 kg", although with Alfa Romeo's tradition of being unable to keep overall weight under control, this target remains to be seen on any future 4C production model. "With power topping 200 HP and a weight to power ratio less than 4 kg/HP, a value worthy of a real supercar," the Alfa Romeo says.

The concept presents a two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupé with a centrally-mounted engine, a length of approximately 4 metres and a wheelbase of less than 2.4 metres. The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept uses technology and materials derived from the 8C Competizione - carbon, aluminium, rear-wheel drive - and technology from Alfa Romeo models currently on sale: the 1750 turbo petrol engine with direct injection, the "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission, as well as the Alfa DNA dynamic control selector.

Leading out Alfa Romeo's production-focused presentation in Frankfurt next month will be the Giulietta equipped with the 170 HP 1.4 TB MultiAir engine fitted with Alfa TCT transmission. This gearbox, available on the 170 HP 1.4 TB MultiAir and on the 170 HP 2.0 JTDM, makes the Giulietta MultiAir with TCT the most eco-friendly petrol compact in its category and achieves the best efficiency/performance ratio. In particular the Giulietta MultiAir with TCT is the most eco-friendly petrol compact car of its class. In fact, extremely low fuel consumption and emissions (5.2 l/100 km in the combined cycle and 121 g/km emissions of CO2) and at the same time with excellent performance worthy of an Alfa Romeo are recorded: 218 km/h top speed and 7.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. For all these reasons the Giulietta so far is achieving excellent sales figures and also preserves its value over time by recording a residual value at the top of its class on all the markets.

Another two models from the Giulietta range will also be shown off: a Quadrifoglio Verde 235 HP 1750 Tbi in the Rosso Competizione three-layer colour, and a Distinctive in the shade of Grigio Magnesio equipped with the 170 HP 2.0 JTDM and all the technical equipment from the bi-xenon headlights with AFS function (a control system that automatically regulates the headlight beam in accordance with the commands given on the steering wheel and that can perform a rotation of up to a maximum of 15°) and the navigation system with maps, pop-up display and TMC Pro to the BOSE Hi-Fi system, Blue&Me system with controls on the steering wheel and AUX, USB and Bluetooth port.

The Alfa Romeo stand will be completed by the MiTo model that has recently been tweaked for the Model Year. All the Mito's engines now meet Euro 5 regulations (a regulatory requirement) and are equipped with Start & Stop as standard. The set-ups have been revised in order to maximise performance and comfort on the aspirated engines and on the efficient 1.3 JTDm. Added to the higher-performance engines (135 HP and 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbopetrol, and 120 HP 1.6 JTDm) are the brand new variable response shock absorbers, with by-pass valve - the "Alfa Adaptive Suspension" - which improve comfort in the stresses due to the various roughnesses in the road while keeping the vehicle's high dynamic control unaltered. Finally, for the customers interested in maximum driving pleasure, available on the powerful 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbo, the Alfa Romeo MiTo offers the "Alfa Active Suspension", the only car of its class offering this type of content: a system which actively and continuously controls the electronic shock absorbers, perfectly integrated with the "D.N.A. Technology", and manageable through its physical expression inside, that is to say the Alfa D.N.A. driving style selector.

In Frankfurt MiTo will also present an important innovations that in a few months will debut in the range: the revolutionary 85 HP TwinAir Turbo. With a power of 85 HP at 5,500 rpm, but above all with a remarkable torque of 145 Nm constantly between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm, it guarantees promptness of response and agility with respect to a significant reduction in fuel consumption and emissions (only 98 g/km of CO2 emissions).

Later will come the 85 HP 1.3 JTDm with Start&Stop system as standard that ensures maximum levels of economy and ecology. Equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger, a new variable displacement oil pump and alternator with "smart charge", the 1.3 JTDm produces just 90 g/km of CO2 emissions in the mixed cycle and belongs to the second generation of Multijet engines.

In addition the "Quadrifoglio Verde" range-topper will be on display at the German show, equipped with the powerful 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbo, it offers the "Alfa Active Suspension", a system that actively and continuously controls the electronic shock absorbers developed by teaming the designers and road testers of Alfa Romeo with the latest engineering techniques from Magneti Marelli.