ALFA ROMEO has revealed the prototype of its new 4C Spider due to arrive early next year.

Called the 4C Spider Design Preview, the open-top sports car has made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

It has been designed by the Italian company's style centre and while being slightly heavier than the 4C Coupe, the use of carbon fibre for the rollover bars, spoilers and windscreen frame in particular, keeps the weight down.

Carbon fibre dominates the cabin and the prototype also heralds a new dual-stage central exhaust system with titanium and carbon tailpipes by Akrapovic - a company which produces competition exhaust systems for Moto GP.

It is electrically-operated and can improve performance and enhance the exhaust note at the push of a wirelessly-linked button.

Powered by Alfa Romeo's new four-cylinder 1,750 turbo petrol engine, driving the rear wheels via a six-speed dual clutch transmission, the 4C Spider's performance is near identical to the hardtop version with 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and top speed is in excess of 155mph.

The  design preview also boasts carbon fibre clamshell headlights plus new alloy wheels milled from solid aluminium blocks and shod with bespoke Pirelli tyres. It is finished in three-layer gloss white to help emphasise the car's sculpted shape.