[Busta]

So we know the 124 will exist, the patents say so and Sergio himself 'debuted' it at Geneva 2014:

When asked directly by Auto Express at the Geneva Motor Show if the new Fiat sports car would indeed be badged 124 Spider, Marchionne checked with his execs if the name had been revealed yet, before asking: “Do we want to do it now?”. A brand exec confirmed the 124 Spider name before Marchionne added: “There you go – a world class premiere right in this room!”.

This much is known, Japanese manufactured, based on the Miata. Oh and that maybe, perhaps, an Abarath could happen. Now the fun stuff.

Lets assume the chassis will remain unchanged, a smart decision considering how competent the Mazda has always been and the homogeneity eases manufacturing. But what about the rest? Styling is naturally ambiguous, pick your favourite render, stick your fingers in your ear and scream its the best. Ok deal.

Motors are in my opinion where the largest debate could and should rage. What will FIAT do? Well they could simply adopt the peppy and frugal Mazda SKYACTIVE as their own, but thats not fun, nor do i think it suits the Italians taste. The 500 Abarath has a distinctive sound that FIAT worked extensively with Ferrari engineers to create, I can't imagine them wanting to chuck that sound in the bin, while the change in motors may add expenses to production FIAT probably makes that back in the percieved value/desire of the note in their clientèle.

The favourite is naturally FIATS 1.4L Turbo which pokes the barrier of 200 bhp nicely. Potentially they could also use the 1.4 and 2.4L natural I-4's should they be exploring a tiered strategy.

 

[spilner]

Fiat's 1.4L engine will mate well with the 124 spider. With sounds of that engine still stuck in my head, imaging the rendered 124 here moving with that powerplant, it's just whats right!

 

[Jack]

The advantage that the 124 Spider will have over the Miata is a more powerful engine. They should definitely do the Abarath version if they can. The Miata is a great vehicle, and they will really have to offer something that has obvious advantages to attract people.

 

[spilner]

The advantage that the 124 Spider will have over the Miata is a more powerful engine. They should definitely do the Abarath version if they can. The Miata is a great vehicle, and they will really have to offer something that has obvious advantages to attract people.

Not only that but everything else they need to do and should do when adding in a higher powered engine and going a higher performance route, suspension being one of them.

 

[Busta]

Just playing abit of devils adovcate. If FIAT sticks with the MX-5 package fully, I suppose the 124 would be homologated for competition in SCCA Miata events... but I'm not sure thats a significant motivator...

 

[NoteyB]

According to Auto Fans, The 124 is in fact completed (and approved within Fiat). It's appearance does not share similarities with his Japanese brother. The interior would take over some elements but will still be styled by Fiat.