Mazda’s partnership with the Fiat group will result in a small two-seater Italian sports car based on the Mazda MX-5. It’s likely the Fiat 124 Spider moniker will be resurrected for the model.
While we knew it was on the cards, we all thought the Italian version on the MX-5 would be an Alfa Romeo, but Fiat’s CEO Sergio Marchionne has confirmed to AutoExpress that the little roadster will indeed be a Fiat.
Like the MX-5, the 124 Spider will be made at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant in Japan and we can expect it to be unveiled in early 2016, before the production model hits European showrooms mid-year. Although it will share several key components with the MX-5 – the chassis and wheelbase – it’s likely the Fiat will employ more retro design cues than the somewhat awkwardly styled MX-5.
Like the MX-5, it will have a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, though under the hood will likely be the 1,4-litre MultiAir turbo taken from the Alfa Giulietta. The 124 Spider will weigh under 1000 kg so that should make for peppy performance.
A hot Abarth version will follow the initial launch with more aggressive styling, stiffer suspension, bigger brakes and, of course a more powerful engine. An output of 150 kW has been suggested which, given its light weight, would mean Porsche Boxster-like performance.
Source: AutoExpress
