RE: Fiat 124 - first pics

[SturdyHSV]

Fetchez la vache said:

SturdyHSV said:

JimiGT said:

Having said that, I do think Abarth made a great job of the 500 (although I am biased) so maybe there is hope yet!

Clearly a subscriber to the mantra that although you can't polish a turd, you can roll it in glitter

Sorry to point out the bleedin' obvious, but the sales of the 500 would seem to disagree with you.
With the 500 they knew their market, and hit their target full on. God only knows what's gone on with this one though...

Ah sorry no, I should have included more of his post, I was referencing his optimism that Abarth can make the 124 look good, no slight on the 500 intended.

Triumph Man said:

SturdyHSV said:

Hopefully by the time it gets to journalists for reviews the human race will have come up with a word to describe that level of disappointment.

It's like seeing a hot woman's face on POF, then the anticipation builds, but when you meet up he's got a beard.

Fixed that for you

[Rib]

horrid! the side on view just highlights and the rear is weirdly high, proportions just look all wrong, styling is subjective and not for me personally, but it just doesnt look right at all

[Martin 480 Turbo]

It needs a 1,5 inch drop and a little fatter rims, like all Miatas before.

It is not the stunner Pininfarina offered with the duettotanta concept. But you can't expect Marchionne to suddenly have eyes for candy. After the horrible "Giulia" I am rather pleased with where the 124 is heading. The bonnet should be smoouthed out, new rims and that would be enough for me.

There are not thaaat many choices at the moment. Even the Z4 has lost its mojo with the second gen.

Martin

[smithyithy]

I don't know why but the Fiat reminded me of this thing:



Looks a bit too American

[unsprung]

Axionknight said:

Ved said:

No contest in terms of looks. KO to Japan:

Without a doubt IMO

Yeah. Mazda remains unchallenged.

I'd like to add that this new Fiat 124 is not about following in the footsteps of the Barchetta. It is about having access to the largest single market for classical two-seat roadsters.

As the Barchetta was never engineered or certified for sale in the US, car buyers under the age of 40, in that market, are unlikely to associate Fiat with two-seat roadsters.

Re-skinning somebody else's US-approved product provides turnkey access to engineering and crash-worthiness. At a low cost (albeit with questionable margin).

Ironically, this low cost comes at a very high price. As we see today in the design constraints that come with re-skinning.

Perhaps Fiat finances allowed for nothing else. To me, this product resembles what is called a Hail Mary pass.

[Baryonyx]

court said:

Were they aiming to get the silhouette to look like an NC MX5? It maybe the wheels that don't help.

It looks that way. The Moon lander ride height doesn't help either.

[unsprung]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

I think itll probably sell well in the USA, as IMHO they dont seem to care as much what their cars look like

That's why, whenever people go on holiday to America, they are lulled to sleep by the preponderance of rather anonymous, egg-shaped cars which mimic the Germans.

Yeah. That's right.

[ziontrain]

the current mx-5 is ugly as sin, I can't see how people think this is worse... I'd definitely take the fiat over the mazda...

[rivercar1981]

I see this when I look at it.

[j90gta]

This really has upset alot of people. Personally I think it's not as contrived as the Mazda which is so fussy. From the rear three-quarters I think it has a hint of S2000 about it. At least it's much better looking than the abomination that is the Merc SL which just looks bloated!!

[mikefacel]

It's the bonnet bulges that are killing it for me and removing any elegance. Ropey photoshop attempt:



ETA: Does look a lot more like my Mk2 MX5 now though!

[tomv1to]

Wow that's disappointing. As others have said it looks more American than European and not in a good way. It's like a pudgy small viper.

[whytheory]

I reckon it might improve dramatically once seen in the metal, but purely from pictures, the Mazda edging the beauty contest for me.

[EricE]

Was this by any chance penned by the same designer who did the Multipla? What a mess.

[cml]

Good point on the bonnet bulge/slash/styling - looks a lot better without it. They make it look cheap and nasty somehow.

Otherwise not too bad - although what I want is a decent hardtop coupe - a modern MGB GT.

[PhantomPH]

Ved said:

No contest in terms of looks. KO to Japan:

That's the nicest looking new MX that I've seen. Very nice.

Edited by PhantomPH on Wednesday 18th November 16:41

[Marwood79]

This is what happens when a committee of muppets all answering to an Accountant decide the design of a car...

I was going to say it looked Korean, but that would be a big disservice to the standard of contemporary Korean auto design...

With the leeching of captial from the Ferrari IPO, the improbable propositions to GM, and product like this you have to worry about the FCA Group... I don't think they are going to be with us much longer...

[Dalto123]

That's hideous! MK4 MX5 for me please.

[RacingBlue]

It does look better in white - it seems to be very colour sensitive



It reminds me very slightly of a BMW Z8 from the front. I'd agree with most that it isn't brilliant looking, but I don't think it's a complete minger.

[Pereldh]

I feel a bit sorry for Mazda now.