One of the more exciting prospects to come from Fiat is the revival of the famous (or infamous, depending how you view them) 124 Spider, rumored to be built on the latest Mazda MX-5 platform in a recent agreement between the two brands.
Due for a launch in 2016 as part of an aggressive 30-model plan strategy concocted by Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles, the 124 Spider is said to be launched with two forms, the standard 124 Spider version and a high-performance Abarth variant.
And while the two might be built using the same formula, they couldn’t be any further apart from each other, according to AutoCar, who got the scoop on the two new roadsters.
Despite the new Fiat 124’s Mazda roots, Mazda’s SKYACTIV powertrains will be left out of the equation with Fiat’s 1.4L MultiAir turbo taking its place for the standard 124 while “insider sources” hinted at the potential use of the Alfa Romeo 4C’s 1.75L turbocharged aluminum four could be under the hoof of the Abarth version.
In addition to the extra oomph, you can expect the usual treatment of Abarth goodies, such as a performance tuned suspension, more aggressive bodywork and a performance appeal all around.
Either way, the new Fiat 124 Spider is making waves since it has quite a lot to live up to. The original Fiat 124 was a very successful product, remaining in production for an astonishing 19 years, though admittedly, most of them have surrendered to being reduced to a tiny pile of rust. It was launched in 1966 and was sold stateside until 1982, when Fiat finally pulled themselves from the US market amid tightening emissions and safety regulations that Fiat simply could not meet.
However, it remained to be sold here in the States under the Pininfarina brand until 1985, at which time production ended with around 200,000 total Fiat 124s being built. More than three-quarters of them were sold here in the US.
So nonetheless, the 124 Spider has some big shoes to fill.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: AutoCar
Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/1KQNifu
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