2016 Fiat Spider and Mazda MX-5 Miata



photo from: caranddriver.com




Home > Features > 2016 Fiat/Abarth Spider and Mazda MX-5 Miata: Fusion Cuisine - Feature 2016 Fiat/Abarth Spider and Mazda MX-5 Miata: Fusion Cuisine The most anticipated of the 25 Cars Worth Waiting For from 2015–2018. APRIL 2014 BY CAR AND DRIVER MULTIPLE PHOTOGRAPHERS MULTIPLE ILLUSTRATORS 885 SHARES 10 TWEETS Why does one of the cars above have an Alfa grille? When we originally published this piece in our magazine, Fiat-Chrysler's version of the next Mazda Miata was slated to go to that brand; the latest intelligence suggests that Fiat or Abarth will get the car instead, with the latter being the frontrunner. Either way, there’s some precedent for this Italo-Japanese mash-up. Back in the 1960s, young Mazda hired Italians, such as Giorgetto Giugiaro, to design a few cars. Remember the Mazda Luce (LOO-chay)?

No? Well, a quarter century after the first Mazda MX-5 Miata dropped from heaven, the fourth generation will arrive on a platform shared with the new Fiat/Abarth Spider. The deal works for both parties: Mazda does the bulk of the engineering, builds the cars, and enjoys the economies of scale, while Fiat-Chrysler finally gets a new roadster. The next Miata/Spider is built on a Mazda-developed front-engine, rear-drive platform that makes ample use of Mazda’s parts bin. The Miata will come with fuel-efficient Skyactiv four-cylinder engines. Top-of-the-line versions will make around 200 horsepower, and a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission will be standard.


 The Spider, by contrast, likely will be fitted with either a 1.4-liter turbo four shared with the Fiat 500 Abarth or a version of the 1.7-liter turbocharged four from the Alfa Romeo 4C. Expect the Fiat/Abarth to use a dual-clutch automatic. Prices for the Mazda should start in the mid-$20,000 range, with its Italianate sibling commanding a premium. And while the Miata will be a continuation of a successful and fascinating heritage, its sister model will start anew, benefiting from Mazda’s engineering and manufacturing expertise. See, and you’re always complaining that the media only reports bad news.