RE: Fiat confirms 124 Spider for its MX-5

[aarondbs]

Sampaio said:

Less than 300bhp so not nearly enough for PH-punter standards...
I reckon it's not a fast car, but I also reckon a 200bhp Audi TT is less fun. And yes I've driven both extensively.

The point of the parrot being that power means F.All when talking about a fun sports car. I have fun in my wife's Suzuki Swift and this soon to be Fiat sounds like a perfect mix. Italian style, red and some charismatic engine.

[Kolbenkopp]

Sampaio said:

I reckon it's not a fast car, but I also reckon a 200bhp Audi TT is less fun. And yes I've driven both extensively.

Doubt they will go mental on the power, but you newer know. They could put in any of the 0.9, 1.4 or 1.7 turboed Twinairs. All depends what they want to do with the car. Since this is going to be released as a new FIAT 124, I guess the US market is pretty important in their plans. Safe bet would be a 1.4 with 130+ hp as entry level engine?

But could even be fun with a pushed version of the 0.9, IMO. Quite like the little twin, and should be good for 120 hp (Marelli sell a semi official box that claims to take the 105 hp version to 125 hp). If their interpretation turns out light enough, that could make a nice "fun > fast" car.

[bobberz]

I've always admired the 124 Spiders. In fact, I would've preferred one over my S3 Alfa Spider. I think the little FIAT's styling survived the "impact bumper" regulations with more grace than the rubber-ducktail-spoilered Alfas.

That being said, I love my little Spider as it is great fun to drive and has that glorious-sounding twin-cam. Plus, whether warranted or not, Alfa is considered more "premium". It's on the next rung up from FIAT, and one step closer to Lancia, Maserati, and Ferrari.

I'm happy that they're going with branding it a FIAT, as I was never comfortable with the thought of a Japanese-built Alfa Spider. The MX-5 is a great car. They have great performance, are built well, and have bulletproof reliability. I just don't think an Alfa Spider should be based on any other car. I think Sergio made the right move, on this one.

It also fits with his recent statement (addressing the U.S. marketplace) that there won't be any "entry-level" Alfas. No MiTos for us, then. That's okay, by me. Keep Alfa an aspirational brand. Semi-exotic, yet still attainable.

As I probably won't be able to afford the new Alfa Spider, maybe I'll finally buy that 124, but now a new, fully modern one.

[Draexin]

Finally another Fiat sports car! The last couple of years the model range has gotten terminally dull.

If they get its dynamics anywhere near as good as the Barchetta's, it'll be a winner... I hope.
I owned a Barchetta for quite a few years and loved every second driving it.
Even though it was front wheel drive, it never felt understeery or corrupted, the balance was spot on.

[angelicupstarts]

Sampaio said:

threespires said:

smaybury said:

Doesn't have nearly enough power, IMO.

[/pistonheads]

And what is the power ?

Less than 300bhp so not nearly enough for PH-punter standards...
I reckon it's not a fast car, but I also reckon a 200bhp Audi TT is less fun. And yes I've driven both extensively.

old audi tt were either 180 hp or 225 hp .... no 200 ... but 200hp in a car less then 1000kg is fun !
i had 350 hp in a old mustang and would say it was almost to much ...

[lee_erm]

Be interesting to see how much the cock it up, I have zero faith in Fiat.

Edited by lee_erm on Saturday 7th March 12:34

[Sampaio]

angelicupstarts said:

Sampaio said:

threespires said:

smaybury said:

Doesn't have nearly enough power, IMO.

[/pistonheads]

And what is the power ?

Less than 300bhp so not nearly enough for PH-punter standards...
I reckon it's not a fast car, but I also reckon a 200bhp Audi TT is less fun. And yes I've driven both extensively.

old audi tt were either 180 hp or 225 hp .... no 200 ... but 200hp in a car less then 1000kg is fun !
i had 350 hp in a old mustang and would say it was almost to much ...

It was the 225bhp Quattro model. I was simplifying the power figures.

[Whiters]

flingstam said:

Guvernator said:

Except it will probably end up with Japanese styling and Italian reliability

Ah, happy memories!

Damn, beat me to it! God the Arna was awful. I had a mate at college who had a brown Arna as his first car. What a waste of a lovely engine.

[aarondbs]

lee_erm said:

Be interesting to see how much the cock it up, I have zero faith in Fiat.

Edited by lee_erm on Saturday 7th March 12:34

We've had some great Fiats. 131 1600 was excellent. A 128 and myb lol ast Fiat a Bravo HGT. What about the Coupe, the Multipla, the LaFerrari... Fiat di great engineering and great innovation.

[LasseV]

If it is light, cheap, rwd with LSD and has about 170+hp i will definetly test drive it.

[stephen300o]

X1/9 on the 4c tub please.

[Ali_T]

bobberz said:

I'm happy that they're going with branding it a FIAT, as I was never comfortable with the thought of a Japanese-built Alfa Spider.

Wester has confirmed there will be a new Alfa Spider, just not based on the MX5.

bobberz said:

It also fits with his recent statement (addressing the U.S. marketplace) that there won't be any "entry-level" Alfas. No MiTos for us, then. That's okay, by me. Keep Alfa an aspirational brand. Semi-exotic, yet still attainable.

That statement is because the MiTo and Giulietta won't be crossing the pond. Giulietta will continue but I've heard it will be replaced by two cars. One similar to the current car, the other a RWD hatch/saloon in the mould of the 1 series.

Edited by Ali_T on Tuesday 10th March 00:23

[underphil]

Freesc said:

smaybury said:

Doesn't have nearly enough power, IMO.

[/pistonheads]

Actually, the stock 124 Spider will have the excellent 1.4L Turbo Multiair engine, one of the best 4 cylinder engines on the planet, with 160+ hp - more than the MX5.
The Abarth may have about 200hp. PLENTY interesting in a car that only weighs 2200 lbs.

Iron block + turbo + intercooler vs aluminium block

the Fiat will then weigh an extra 100lbs or so..


Hopefully Fiat might invest in a new Alu block as the mulitair FIRE block is pretty ancient

[Turbobanana]

Article said "The original 124 Spider was a Fiat and then later an Abarth for competition."

Sorry for such a late response (unusually busy at work) but that's not quite the end of the original 124 story. It ended up as the Pininfarina Spider Europa, with a supercharger no less, finally dying in 1985.