[Jack]

When you have to explain how your product isn't a rebadged version of something else, that's usually a bad sign to begin with, but let's see what Fiat has to say on the issue.

Fiat Australia explained to CarAdvice that the 124 Spider / MX-5 was a "joint development", rather than just switching badges. Pat Dougherty, Fiat Australia boss, continued by saying the Fiat version comes with "different sheet metal, different powertrains, different look and feel." He also pointed out that Fiat designers did not see the MX-5 while coming up with the design for the 124 Spider.

Fiat Chrysler Australia's Group communication & media strategist, Andrew Chesterton, later added that the 124 Spider has a different engine, gearbox, and body.

Fiat brand and chief marketing officer of FCA, Oliver Francois, admitted that there are many similarities between the two.

I would say it's a spectrum, so how much do you think the 124 Spider is a rebadged MX-5?

http://www.motor1.com/news/59894/fiat-explains-why-124-spider-isn-t-just-a-rebadged-miata

 

[sp9mk1]

it uses a lot of the ND's part, but it's not just a rebadge in anyway shape or form. they have changed enough to make a different car. it will be a similar, but different car than the miata. i think the sharing of components will benefit the 124. also being built in the highly technical part in japan will make it much more reliable than other fiats. would you consider a pre 1996 chevy caprice and a cadillac fleetwood just a rebadge?

 

[morrisg]

After you get to drive a Fiat 124 and a Mazda ND back to back you will know these are not badge engineered twins like the FRS BRZ are. The 1.4L turbo has so much more torque from 2000 to 4500 rpm that you will have trouble getting the power to the pavement because there's no LSD option. That's my first mod: putting in an OS Giken LSD so all that torque can get to the ground.

 

[ItsyBitsy]

It's just an outer body similarity and that's fine as long as it looks nice. What's under the hood matters more to enthusiasts.

 

[Busta]

Sounds like FCA is saying they may have had some input into the initial development of the MX-5...

 

[Jack]

I am most excited to see what the Abarth one looks like. I commend them for really trying to make it its own thing instead of taking it easy just because they can.

 

[RedTRex]

I am most excited to see what the Abarth one looks like. I commend them for really trying to make it its own thing instead of taking it easy just because they can.

Concur.... needs to have some teeth too, not just a 10hp bump

 

[Busta]

Concur.... needs to have some teeth too, not just a 10hp bump

would you say the Abarth 500 doesn't have enough teeth vs the regular 500???

(if so, REALLY???)

 

[RedTRex]

IIRC, the 124 is to get the 500 Abarth engine to start - 160 hp. One article that was posted here recently mentioned the 124 Abarth version would have 170 hp (..... hence my 10 hp comment) with an 124 Abarth "R" version sporting over 200. Maybe the recent Autoweek article....




>> Yes the 500 Abarth has large teeth compared to the base

 

[124 Spider News]

IIRC, the 124 is to get the 500 Abarth engine to start - 160 hp. One article that was posted here recently mentioned the 124 Abarth version would have 170 hp (..... hence my 10 hp comment) with an 124 Abarth "R" version sporting over 200. Maybe the recent Autoweek article....




>> Yes the 500 Abarth has large teeth compared to the base

Ah my mistake. I thought you were saying Abarth's in general only feature 10 hp bump.

 

[spilner]

Not surprised at all since just rebadging was the old way of doing things that passed in the 90's but these days the bar is raised MUCH higher of what's expected of a brand.