FIAT / Abarth News And Rumors About Fiat 124 Spider

[Rainer271]

Fiat's version of the Mazda MX-5 will be called 124 Spider
Abarth version possible
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Sergio Marchionne has announced Fiat's version of the new Mazda MX-5 will be called "124 Spider".

It turns out rumors were spot on as the official confirmation was made earlier this week during the Geneva Motor Show when Auto Expressfound out from a Fiat executive the name's car, with Marchionne adding shortly after that "There you go – a world class premiere right in this room!".

The car is expected to carry over the chassis and wheelbase of the new Miata while the body will adopt a retro styling with influences from the classic Fiat 124s of the 1960s. Weight should stay below the 1,000 kg (2,204 lbs) mark while power is expected to come from an array of "small affordable engines", including a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo offered in different states of tune.

An Abarth version could later on join the range with the same engine upgraded to as much as 200 bhp (149 kW). This hotter derivative should also get larger brakes, stiffer suspension and a slightly more aggressive body.

The modern Fiat 124 Spider is expected to come out in 2016 while Abarth's version will likely be commercialized starting 2017.

Source: autoexpress.co.uk

 

[Giannis]

A FIAT version of the MX-5?

Holly @#$%! That's amazing news!

 

[Rainer271]

Maybe it will be a nice remake of the old 124 Spider:

 

[purplehenk]

Did this one a while back:

 

[Rolf]

I for one am a happy chappy cause I used to like small Fiat roadsters, the X1/9 brings back good memories. It was like a mini Ferrari 308 GTS.

 

[Rainer271]

I like the X1/9 still today. Simply a wonderful car.

 

[Rolf]

Same with me its one of my favourite classic Fiat models, I would love to own one as a weekend car,

 

[Rainer271]

Fiat 124 Spider spied for the first time

Fiat 124 Spider spy photo / Automedia

The Fiat 124 Spider has been spied undergoing testing in Metro Detroit.

Based on the Mazda MX-5, the Fiat 124 Spider features a revised front bumper and larger headlights. Moving further back, we can see modified side skirts, a dual exhaust system and a heavily camouflaged rear end which likely hides some additional changes.

Engine options remain unconfirmed but the model is expected to be powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces at least 140 PS (103 kW). It will reportedly be connected to a six-speed manual transmission but a six-speed automatic should be optional.

The Fiat 124 Spider will reportedly debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this year, so expect to learn more in the coming months.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/115062595796/fiat-124-spider-spied-for-the-first-time

 

[Rainer271]

Fiat 124 Spider to be offered with the Alfa Romeo 4C's turbocharged engine?

Mazda MX-5 Program Manager Nobuhiro Yamamoto recently ruled out a high-performance variant but it doesn't look like that decision will affect the Fiat 124 Spider as Autoblog's spy photographers have shot what appears to be a high-performance variant.

While the car appears similar to the prototype that our spies caught last month, the one snapped by Autoblog has a four-tailpipe exhaust system which suggests something powerful is lurking under the hood.

Nothing is official but previous reports have suggested Fiat could eventually introduce an Abarth variant that produces 200 PS (147 kW). Even more interestingly, Autoblog is floating the idea that since the model was originally designed to be an Alfa Romeo it could use the 4C's turbocharged 1.75-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 240 PS (176 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque.

Source: Autoblog

 

[Z4ever]

The quad tailpipes exhaust means solely an Abarth variation with 190 hp from the same 1.4 T-jet engine that exists in the Abarth 695 Biposto. As I've already said 2016 will be a VERY exciting year as far as true sports cars is concerned:

 

[Z4ever]

Since one needs the necessary space for the front licence plate, it will be something more like this:

 

[Giannis]

How close to the real deal do you think the above images are?

 

[Z4ever]

If I had to guess I would say that the black&white picture is not far off!

 

[Z4ever]

Here is why:

 

[Z4ever]

TG also managed to grab a few minutes with Roberto Giolito, Fiat’s Head of Design. The softly spoken Italian confirmed to us his firm’s upcoming roadster (Fiat’s first since the Barchetta pictured above), which will be based on the MX-5 and likely badged 124, will look “very masculine”, and not at all “delicate”.

“You really have to wait a few months,” Giolito told us. “Maybe Geneva [motor show, next held in March 2016], or even earlier.”

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

A Japanese engineered roadster with an Italian engine and styling? I think this will be interesting in a very good way.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/115082198036/fiat-124-spider-revival-speculatively-rendered

Debuts later this year
The forthcoming Fiat 124 Spider reboot is being unofficially previewed by our colleagues at OmniAuto.it.

Fiat is about to infuse some true passion into its lineup by bringing back the 124 Spider which is also set to spawn an "extreme" Abarth derivative. Our good friends at OmniAuto.it decided to envision the Fiat-badged version which according to company designer Roberto Giolito will look "very masculine". Despite being based on the latest Mazda MX-5, the new Fiat 124 Spider is going to receive an entirely different body and it could look a lot like this since the renders are based on the latest spy shots and also on intel obtained from Fiat insiders.

The identity of the engine lineup remains a mystery at this point, but a 1.4-liter turbo is expected to power the Fiat version whereas the Abarth-badged model will reportedly get the 1.75-liter from the Alfa Romeo 4C, but detuned to around 200 PS (147 kW). That might not sound very impressive, but keep in mind the Fiat/Abarth 124 Spider will be a very lightweight car with a targeted curb weight of less than 1,000 kg which should be distributed evenly front/rear just like on its Japanese sibling.

An official reveal of the Fiat 124 Spider is expected before the end of this year and it's programmed to go on sale early next year. The Abarth version will be out a little bit later so most likely it will hit dealerships towards the end of 2016.

 

[Rolf]

Certainly an interesting addition to the Fiat line up to inject some needed interest in their cars. I hope that this car will be a match for the MX5 in the way it drives and they wont mess up the looks and interior, hoping Fiat can make this a halo model.

 

[Porsche Guy]

Didn't realize the Alfa was going to borrow so much from the Miata in terms of aesthetics. It looks like Alfa/Mazda are taking the GMC/Chevy approach with this joint venture.

 

[Pedro Alexandre]

Abarth 124 Spider - spy shot

Source: http://www.autoblog.it/post/737223/nuova-fiat-spider-la-foto-spia-di-un-lettore