FIAT to sell new 124 Spider

[rockdad]

The Telegraph newspaper in the UK has leaked news that Fiat are to sell a new 124 Spider. Based on a new version of the Mazda MX-5 (as it's known over here), it will be built in Japan and have a Fiat engine.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/fiat/ne ... tro-theme/

[rockdad]

Some photos:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/90394/fiat ... pictures#0

Pity the styling isn't more like the original. The new model looks more like the Barchetta.

[johndemar]

Thanks for the link.

This has been discussed in a number of different posts with speculation as to what it would look like.

If this truly is the final version......YAWN

[narfire]

Looks ok in my opinion, BUT where is the room behind the front seats..... I'll bring an original spider back before ever considering a purchase of one of the "new" spiders. I'm not impressed with any of the new sports convertibles actually because of this fact.
otherwise hope the car has 150+ HP front engine -rear drive configuration...

[DieselSpider]

I took a Miata owner for a ride a short while ago and he was almost glassy eyed when he saw the back seat area of the 78 Spider. The trunk that was broad enough for a garment bag was also something that appealed to him despite the lack of depth. The ride was the clincher for him with the top down, visors up and the vent windows open.

[nathans76]

I'll take the styling of the "classic" 124 over this one any day.

[SoFlaFiat]

Thanks for the link.

....YAWN

Yep! I'm yawning with John!
Unless Fiat sells that as a 500 Roadster and still brings back a spider that looks NOTHING like the 500.
Don't get me wrong, I like the look of the new 500 but it has nothing to do with the 124!

[johndemar]

Don't get me wrong, it may perform like a scalded cat.

But when I look at it, all I see is a Miata.

If Fiat wants to use the 124 name the design should reflect that. Although, out of all the "retro" designs that have been released, I can only think of the new Camero being done right.

[Redline]

Indeed, it is just a slightly prettier MX-5. That's not a bad thing, but there's not much more to expect if it shares all the hard points.

As for the space behind the seats, I think we won't see that ever again (if you want to still hit certain size and weight goals), as there is no way you would be able to hang a gas tank off the back anymore.

[Holshot]

Why does Fiat have to turn every new car into an extension of the "retro" 500...? Not feeling it, and quite disappointed. This also doesn't bode well for that triumphant turn around that they were hoping for when they returned to the U.S. in attracting a new generation of buyers who don't know/remember what F.I.A.T. used to stand for. All consumer reviews rate them at the bottom of every review in terms of reliability, materials/quality, power, ect...

Check out this review on the Fiat 500L on Jalopnik:

http://jalopnik.com/i-drove-the-fiat-50 ... ,pexi6me2k

Brutal...

[RRoller123]

Yeah, boring, no reason to buy it. Looks very plain, and yes, like a Miata.

[fiat218]

It looks nicer then what I own

[courtenay]

Why does Fiat have to turn every new car into an extension of the "retro" 500...? Not feeling it, and quite disappointed. This also doesn't bode well for that triumphant turn around that they were hoping for when they returned to the U.S. in attracting a new generation of buyers who don't know/remember what F.I.A.T. used to stand for. All consumer reviews rate them at the bottom of every review in terms of reliability, materials/quality, power, ect...

Check out this review on the Fiat 500L on Jalopnik:

http://jalopnik.com/i-drove-the-fiat-50 ... ,pexi6me2k

Brutal...

I'm trying to figure out where it says anywhere that this new 124 has anything to do with being a "retro 500"???
It's a new 124 - that has styling touches that look like a Mazda - or a Pontiac Solstice, for that matter. Frankly, while I love my Spider, if I was looking for a modern 2 seater sport car right now, I'd certainly give this one a look. I suspect it would be a hell of a lot more dependable than my Spider!

[Holshot]

Why does Fiat have to turn every new car into an extension of the "retro" 500...? Not feeling it, and quite disappointed. This also doesn't bode well for that triumphant turn around that they were hoping for when they returned to the U.S. in attracting a new generation of buyers who don't know/remember what F.I.A.T. used to stand for. All consumer reviews rate them at the bottom of every review in terms of reliability, materials/quality, power, ect...

Check out this review on the Fiat 500L on Jalopnik:

http://jalopnik.com/i-drove-the-fiat-50 ... ,pexi6me2k

Brutal...

I'm trying to figure out where it says anywhere that this new 124 has anything to do with being a "retro 500"???
It's a new 124 - that has styling touches that look like a Mazda - or a Pontiac Solstice, for that matter. Frankly, while I love my Spider, if I was looking for a modern 2 seater sport car right now, I'd certainly give this one a look. I suspect it would be a hell of a lot more dependable than my Spider!

I didn't claim I read that, it's my opinion based on the pic above... I can clearly see they are following the design language that you see in the original re-designed 500 which then led to the hideous 500L, then 500X and now this. They all have a clear similar design/theme. They seem to be applying that same language if in fact the picture above is anything close to what will actually make production which is a shame as the original Pinningarina design is so beautiful.

[DieselSpider]

Why does Fiat have to turn every new car into an extension of the "retro" 500...? Not feeling it, and quite disappointed. This also doesn't bode well for that triumphant turn around that they were hoping for when they returned to the U.S. in attracting a new generation of buyers who don't know/remember what F.I.A.T. used to stand for. All consumer reviews rate them at the bottom of every review in terms of reliability, materials/quality, power, ect...

Check out this review on the Fiat 500L on Jalopnik:

http://jalopnik.com/i-drove-the-fiat-50 ... ,pexi6me2k

Brutal...

I took a new 500C and 500L out for a test drive but did not take out an automatic. Everything worked as it should. With the bumper to bumper transferable (one time) lifetime warranty reliability should not be a big problem. Watch out for "Bargain" 500's that are former rental cars as those are being sold as former lease cars by some vendors but are just beat to death rental cars that can be very problematic.

The DCT Automatic which is to me basically a standard converted to automatic with a automated dual clutch I would stay away from for a few years. I took Honda a few years to get their initial DCT straightened out especially the timing of the clutch. Some do forget that Saturns had Fiat transmissions and possibly a GM modified version of their electrical power steering system too.

I found the 500's a much better drive than my wifes Saturn Vue which I find intolerable especially compared to my Spider. The Vue has a hollow hydraulic clutch cylinder with the clutch shaft going through the middle of it making a formerly $50 to $100 problem with a clutch linkage or external cylinder into a $600 to $1,000 repair, twitchy steering with absolutely no road feel whatsoever and highly over boosted power brakes.