Friday 21st March 2014

Mazda MX-5/Alfa Spider update

Fiat Group-Mazda collaboration could now result in an Abarth MX-5 twin

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Our colleagues at Autocar have secured what may be called a scoop on the development of the Alfa Spider/Mazda MX-5 project. Sergio Marchionne wants all Alfas to be built in Italy and the new roadster won't be, meaning it could carry a Fiat or Abarth badge. Have all notions of a romantic Alfa Spider return been dashed?

Back-to-basics promised for new MX-5

Furthermore, Autocar's source at Mazda has confirmed the MX-5 will use one of its fancy new Skyactiv engines. The 1.5-litre unit recently introduced to the 3 makes 100hp and 111lb ft. Though the MX-5 promises to be much lighter in its fourth generation, will that be enough? More powerful options will of course arrive soon enough. Expect them all to feature the Skyactiv tech has Mazda continues its laudable campaign to keep naturally aspirated petrol engines relevant.

A concept to mark the 25th anniversary of the MX-5 is due at the New York show, which should give some clue as to how the new car will look in 2015.

And that's all the news there is for now. Speculation as to the actual car will have to continue for a little longer, with Mazda hopefully revealing a little more at New York. Stay tuned...

[Source: Autocar]

[renaultgeek]

new barchetta then?
I imagine it'll have more than 100bhp. Can't wait to see concepts.

When is the mk3.5 being retired?

[golders]

We are now on the mk 3.75 for the MX5 which came out in 2013, so the new MX5 must be out 2015?

[Johnny Cayman]

Prize for the very worst photoshop image ever though!

[anonymous-user]

Johnny Cayman said:

Prize for the very worst photoshop image ever though!

I think it looks half decent..

[corporalsparrow]

Looks like another dream is dying.

The Spider is perhaps THE definitive Alfa Romeo. You would have thought that, given its classic status, it would have reborn several times over by now. But no. Four versions with the same looks, same chassis and essentially the same engine.

[Hackney]

Johnny Cayman said:

Prize for the very worst photoshop image ever though!

This. Looks awful, front-engined MX5 with the boot and lights from a mid-engined Alfa 4C grafted on. Yuk

[1878]

So the range will continue to be a 6yr old small hatch, a 4yr older slightly bigger hatchback, and a £50k low volume coupe/roadster.

Can't see anything wrong with this strategy then ...

[suffolk009]

Am I the only one who's not that interested in having an Alfa badge on a Mazda? I've been perfectly happy with my Eunos for the last 6 years.

And in other news Alfa's 4c isn't exactly basking in journalistic rave reviews, so this maybe a good thing for the next Mazda.

[crispyshark]

suffolk009 said:

Am I the only one who's not that interested in having an Alfa badge on a Mazda? I've been perfectly happy with my Eunos for the last 6 years.

And in other news Alfa's 4c isn't exactly basking in journalistic rave reviews, so this maybe a good thing for the next Mazda.

I'm very much with you, Sir.

Sticking an Alfa badge on it just gives them an excuse to make it hideously expensive and a hot bed of cheap, tooty components that are prone to breaking.

Not a fan here. Mazda have done plenty good enough over the years, no need to ruin it now.

[lee_erm]

suffolk009 said:

Am I the only one who's not that interested in having an Alfa badge on a Mazda? I've been perfectly happy with my Eunos for the last 6 years.

Completely agree, I fear it's just gonna be a chincy, fussy looking think with the forced character every Alfa has had for the past 15 years. That forced character that the more impressionable types call 'Italian flair'.

I wonder what utterly crap name Alfa will give to their car too, the Mariella or something equally sophisticated yet emotive. bleh

[RichB]

I still have my fingers crossed that it looks like this If so I'll be in the queue to buy one.

[jimmy156]

Nooooooo, please make it and make it look like this

[suffolk009]

You've seen Alfa's new headlights?

[gforceg]

1878 said:

So the range will continue to be a 6yr old small hatch, a 4yr older slightly bigger hatchback, and a £50k low volume coupe/roadster.

Can't see anything wrong with this strategy then ...

I haven't been paying attention. Is that the sum of Alfa's offerings these days? Do they make a car with a gtv badge on it? If not, very sad.

[lockup]

Wikipedia tells me that the max power currently seen on the 1.5 is 115hp. That's the same as the stronger of the Mk1 1.6's.

So if the next gen MX5 can be as light as the first gen, it's bang on.

[USABRZ]

The concept posted twice above me is so beautiful. But the way this story has been going, I now expect a convertible abarth with a 100hp engine. A miata with Italian styling was always too good to be true.

[RoverP6B]

Definitely prefer the upper of the two concept renderings. The current Alfa nose with a great expanse of blank metal between the headlights and the triangular grille is hideous.

Oh, and will Alfa PLEASE stop designing their cars so you can't mount the registration plate centrally? Off-centre reg plates REALLY wind me up!

[RichB]

RoverP6B said:

Off-centre reg plates REALLY wind me up!

[Amirhussain]

jimmy156 said:

Nooooooo, please make it and make it look like this

Thats the one!

[alfabadass]

RoverP6B said:

Definitely prefer the upper of the two concept renderings. The current Alfa nose with a great expanse of blank metal between the headlights and the triangular grille is hideous.

Oh, and will Alfa PLEASE stop designing their cars so you can't mount the registration plate centrally? Off-centre reg plates REALLY wind me up!

That's their best design aspect!

Saying a big fk you to regs