Fiat and Mazda jointly working on a new roadster

[ga.spyder]

Now this is news! Unfortunately to be a Alfa Spider,not a Fiat Spider
http://www.autoweek.com/article/2012052 ... /120529937

[124cso]

Will probably be just a MX5 with other badges. Fiat seemed to have lost it's way in car design many years ago.
The last ones to have even reasonable looking gauges and dash consoles were designed in the 70's, then they went to square, then half and quarter sweep dials, then those awful colored things ! look at the Multipla for buck toothed uglyness.

[AZ79]

look at the Multipla for buck toothed uglyness.

[Kevin1]

It sounds like it will be more than a rebadged MX-5.

From the article:
"Engineers from both companies are studying how to cooperate on a joint vehicle that will be an "iconic," lightweight, rear-drive roadster with differentiated design and identity for each brand, a joint statement said."

Multipla? When did the Multipla become the benchmark for Pininfarina? It's like comparing supermodel to a bread van. Whatever Fiat and Mazda do it will be interesting, one way or the other.

[jimincalif]

Sounds interesting. I just hope it has the interior room of the Spider (which I fit in) vs. the Miata (which I don't fit in).

[opus10583]

Hi,

I'd prefer a union between Honda (S2000) and Alfa (FIAT), but that might preclude any attempt by Maserati (FIAT) to counter the coming Jaguar two-seater...

Ciao,
Mark

[baltobernie]

Will probably be just a MX5 with other badges.

Agreed. Certainly no more than minor sheet metal changes front and rear. No second-tier manufacturer can afford entirely new platforms for a niche car.

I can only imagine the feelings of vintage Alfa owners who've spent untold hours and dollars restoring early Giulias and Spiders, IMHO some of the most beautiful cars ever built. First an SUV, and now this!

[ga.spyder]

I suppose a beautiful Pinninfarina body atop the fantastic,bulletproof Miata underpinnings would be too much to hope for .Especially sporting Fiat badges.Too bad...tell me that baby wouldnt sell!

[AndyS]

might as well just buy a Miata now and put an Alfa badge on the hood. this is not exciting news to me.

[DUCeditor]

From what I read it will not be a Mada MX-5 clone. For one the joint project is to replace the Mazda. But the Alfa will have its own motor and its own styling.

While it is common for we Italiphiles to look down on the lowly Miata doing so is pure snobbery. In every respect except panache the Mazda is an exceptional car.

The question is will the Alfa be as good? Could be. Should be. But Fiat/Alfa has screwed opportunities in the past so we'll need to wait and see.



-Don

[ga.spyder]

I couldnt agree with Don more on the Miata.I used to think of it as a girls car.The lack of character or individuality was apparent.However,after taking a race prepared car around the track and getting to auto-x a stock MX-5 my view of the car has changed.They are a fantastic driving car with the slickest gearbox I have ever rowed through.It is the car the Fiat could have been.Lets hope that if/when a new Fiat Spider appears,it's as good as the Miata.

[Kevin1]

If this results in a car that is even half as fun to drive as my RX-8 has a distinguishable Alfa character it would be a winner in my book. I have owned four Mazdas and two Fiats and consider myself a fan of both marques. For years Mazda has been the only manufacturer that adhered to the philosophy that cars should be as fun as they are functional - and still be affordable by the average guy. Fiat hit a home run years ago with the spider, 850 and X-19, then again with the new 500. Now, maybe, we will be lucky and see the best of both wrapped into one package. To blow it off as a rebadged Miata is to simply ignore what both companies said they want to accomplish through this partnership. Picture an Alfa powered by some version of the Multi-air in a chassis that handles as well as the MX-5. What would be wrong with that picture?

[baltobernie]

I never said the Miata isn't a great car. They guy who tunes my Spider preps and races them. He and his son have won several championships. While I think that Mazda has been lured into the "longer, lower, wider" (and heavier) trend of virtually all manufacturers, the original Miata was/is a fantastic and worthy successor to the Spider.

Are any of the proposed new Alfas RWD? I don't think so. That would make it difficult to incorporate a Fiat/Alfa engine into a Miata.

[Europa]

Shared platform, unique design and engine.

http://europe.autonews.com/article/2012 ... plate=art4

[AZ79]

Shared platform, unique design and engine.

http://europe.autonews.com/article/2012 ... plate=art4

No.
There are enough computer-generated cars out there already. Sick of seeing these angular, ugly replicas.