Mazda MX-5 to Officially Spawn New Fiat 124 Spider
Mazda and Fiat have joined forces in an unlikely alliance. The result of this partnership is that the Italian brand will get a version of the Japanese automaker’s new MX-5 sports car and it will be called the Fiat 124 Spider.
Breaking this major news at the Geneva Motor Show, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles boss-man Sergio Marchionne confirmed to Auto Express that this new roadster will be coming out, though it’s still unclear if it will be branded a Fiat or an Abarth … or both.
The car will be built in Hiroshima, Japan by Mazda, though the MX-5 will bow first when it goes on sale later this year. Fiat’s version is expected to be introduced about 12 months later in 2016.
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Naturally these two cars will share major mechanical components including the chassis and wheelbase. However, styling is one area where they will likely diverge, and significantly. It’s rumored the Fiat version will be a lot more retro, wearing design cues from the Fiat 124 of the 1960s.
Powertrain could be another major differentiator. The Mazda will offer a pair of naturally aspirated four-cylinders while the Fiat variant could be motivated by a turbocharged MultiAir unit, possibly the 1.4-liter version found in many of its other products.
In addition to all of this, Marchionne confirmed that Alfa Romeo will also get a roadster, though he did not share any details about this model. All he said is that it will be built in Italy, meaning it’s likely not another version of the MX-5.
[Source: Auto Express]
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Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).
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This is awesome. a Miata with FIAT headlights and a 1.4T from the Abarth SS is fantastico. Now if they make a permanent hardtop version and call it the Zagato...