[Jack]

Today we got news that the 2016 MX-5 Miata has been rated at 36 mpg highway by the EPA. That is quite an improvement over the previous Miata, which got up to 28 mpg highway.

Here is how all the fuel economy numbers look. With the six-speed manual, the Miata is rated at 27 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 30 combined. The automatic gets the same city and combined mileage, but improves highway mileage by two for 36 mpg highway.

This should spell out what we can expect from the Fiat 124 Spider. 30 mpg combined, with the possibility of 36 mpg highway in automatic. Those sound like pretty good numbers to me.

 

[Busta]

No shot, those are ratings for MAzda motors. It seems FIAT is thinking about using their own powertrains so info is moot.

 

[Jack]

Well it seems that Fiat is considering outfitting the 124 Spider with the 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo from the Alfa Giulietta, and the same engine tuned to 200 bhp for the Abarth version.

In the Alfa Giulietta, the 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo gets 36.7 mpg combined. Now that's a different vehicle so we can't expect the mpg to just carry over, but it does show that the engine is capable of getting fuel economy numbers that are in line with what the Miata has.

 

[Busta]

Well it seems that Fiat is considering outfitting the 124 Spider with the 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo from the Alfa Giulietta, and the same engine tuned to 200 bhp for the Abarth version.

In the Alfa Giulietta, the 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo gets 36.7 mpg combined. Now that's a different vehicle so we can't expect the mpg to just carry over, but it does show that the engine is capable of getting fuel economy numbers that are in line with what the Miata has.

Yes the number is potentially the same, but we can't expect the 124 to share the MX's EPA rating because they will be rated for different powertrains. If the vehicles were identical save a badge they could share the results between brands.

The Giulietta is also a run about so who knows what state of tune the motor is in not to mention the differences in weight...

Besides, as an impractical 2 seat roadster I dont see MPG factoring heavily into purchase decisions

 

[spilner]

MPG definitely won't be a priority with owners since this is the best it gets within this segment, plus factoring in the powertrain types they'd be limited to, the 124 spider shouldn't be too far off from this.

 

[Jack]

True that MPG won't matter that much to buyers. I am just curious about it. Not so much because of the money, but more because I just like the idea of owning things that are more efficient and less wasteful.

 

[Busta]

Edmunds is saying FIAT 1.4L

 

[Jack]

What other vehicles is that engine being used in right now?

 

[NoteyB]

It's in the Alfa Mito I think. These are the variants and fuel economy attached.

 

[chinku]

The amount is in theory the identical, but we can't suppose the 124 to share the MX's EPA rating since they will be rated for different powertrains. If the automobiles were equal save a badge they could share the results between brands.

The Gillette is also a run about so who knows what state of tune the motor is in not to mention the differences in weight...

PREVENTATIVE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

 

[Jack]

I understand that they can't be said to be completely equal, but I think this gives us a pretty good idea. I would be surprised if it was off by more than one or two mpg.

 

[spilner]

Transmission type also factors in, as the amount of gears and gear ratios impact MPG, just something to think about here, adding to whats already being mentioned.

 

[Busta]

also depends on if fiat goes turbo or not, if so how much boost they dial in. maybe fiats more of a powerhouse then Mazda is typically interested in. Abarth comes to mind..

 

[Home built camper Dave]

I dug my 2020 classica out of the garage today for a cruise. Was my birthday and I wanted to take a drive. Finally warm enough and rain has washed much of salt away. First I’m pleased to report it started right up after sitting since November. It turned over 12,000 miles today. And I can’t believe the mpg. Wow this will be a winner with the Biden fuel pricing. In a longer trip like today I got right around 40mpg. Mix of highway and back roads. 200 mile loop. Drove swiftly at times. I don’t really drive fast I guess. Just like to have fun.

 

[Kentsmudger]

Wow! - Reviving a thread from before the car even physically existed! I had no idea how long the forum had been running ...

Glad you are having fun with the car and enjoying the frugal little engine though

 

[Aldo]

I dug my 2020 classica out of the garage today for a cruise. Was my birthday and I wanted to take a drive. Finally warm enough and rain has washed much of salt away. First I’m pleased to report it started right up after sitting since November. It turned over 12,000 miles today. And I can’t believe the mpg. Wow this will be a winner with the Biden fuel pricing. In a longer trip like today I got right around 40mpg. Mix of highway and back roads. 200 mile loop. Drove swiftly at times. I don’t really drive fast I guess. Just like to have fun.

You meant to say the Putin fuel pricing...

But yeah, these things are pretty efficient. I get 30 MPG without even trying.

 

[Cannoli]

some random mpg recording, just piddling around running errands. All city driving, no highway, not babying it but also not driving “sportily” either. Just cruising… i have a peak of 53.5mpg on the highway but i never got a pic. That was trying to get good mpg, staying out of boost between 60-65mph. These get crazy good mpgs.

 

[mtnghost]

You must have an earlier version, my 2017 got 40+ the 2020 gets around 35. Can’t figure out what the difference is other than the 2017 had 16k and the 2020 has 6k miles. Maybe I need to go on a long and relatively flat coastal drive and see how efficient I can get this one.

 

[Aldo]

My MPG has been gradually slipping. The car is 3.4 years old and has 15,000 miles. I used to get 32 MPG, then 30. It’s now getting 28.

Having said that, I’ve been doing less long-distance driving, with COVID and all that.

 

[walawn]

I get 22.9 mpg via dash with mine in Phase 3 with a Fitch fuel catalyst but I drive it very hard. It has bumped up to 23.5 since I started using acetone and no change in driving style.