new fiat 124 sport

[kartone]

http://www.omniauto.it/magazine/34547/fiat-124-spider-usa-foto

[Duk]

The chat on AlfaBB years ago, was that the next Alfa Spyder was going to be based on the MX5 chassis.
So it seems that the FIAT manglement and marketing teams have decided to reuse another icconic name............... 

As I saw on Leo Parente's facebook page:

"So the Europeans are now trying to duplicate a Japanese car that became a successful icon by simulating a European design.

The irony is very strong with this one."

[jazig.k]

What is that thing built to climb over?

[aggie57]

To be frank glad it's not an Alfa. Looks, well, odd.

[Craig_m67]

The chat on AlfaBB years ago, was that the next Alfa Spyder was going to be based on the MX5 chassis.
So it seems that the FIAT manglement and marketing teams have decided to reuse another icconic name............... 

As I saw on Leo Parente's facebook page:

"So the Europeans are now trying to duplicate a Japanese car that became a successful icon by simulating a European design.

The irony is very strong with this one."

It was no secret, the press release is available on both Alfa Romeo and Mazdas corporate websites. Marchionne (Alfa) ditched the idea when he created the Alfa skunk works, hired two Ferrari engineers, handed them 8billion Euro and said go back to first principals, tear up everything you have and be faithful to Alfa's roots.  I imagine the R&D and investment was simply passed (internally within Fiat) from Alfa to Fiat.

Personally I'm not a fan of the current MX-5 design, too angular for me (prefer the originals). The new 124 Spider at least follows the current retro incarnations of actually looking like the original spider if not in a slightly more bulbous way.  I think it looks alright, and I'd prefer the Fiat/Alfa engine over the Mazda skyhook (?) one.

Isnt it Maserati and Porsche who use the Spyder moniker ?

[aggie57]

I'm going to eat my words here.  It looks sooooo much better in the flesh than in print.  In fact I'd go so far as to say it out does the new Miata / MX-5 on looks by quite some margin.  Yes, it sits up and yes it's obviously a retro but it's so low the height is about right and the front and rear end are much cleaner than on the Miata / MX-5.  From the LA Auto Show: