Tag Archives: Alfa Romeo Spider

Report: Alfa Romeo Spider said to get modern styling, 168 horsepower

By Jonathon Ramsey

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Take a good look at the picture (and the high-res image gallery) of the Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept by Pininfarina, because the production Spider that will be a joint development with the coming Mazda MX-5 Miata isn’t expected to look anything like it. According to a report in Autocar, designers at Fiat’s Centro Stile couldn’t figure out how to translate the concept to a production car.

We’re being told that the new Alfa roadster will be styled to match the modernity of the brand’s lineup, accented by “historic design themes,” and that its exterior is near final approval. Apparently, the traditional Alfa grille will be flanked by “lower intake whiskers” and headlights that are nothing like those on the 4C. To be built alongside the Miata in Japan, it will share certain platform hardpoints like the front bulkhead and engine compartment, but won’t have any body panels in common with the Mazda.

Only one engine is expected to be slotted in that bay: the 1.4-liter MultiAir with 168 horsepower. Those ponies will be charged with moving a roadster said to come in at no more than 2,420 pounds, with shifting performed by a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. If that information is correct, that would give it one more horsepower and 20 or more pounds less weight than the current manual-transmission Miata Sport. Comparing like-for-kind-of-like, it would have 10 more hp and be at least 122 pounds lighter than the current automatic-equipped Miata Sport.

Alfa Romeo Spider said to get modern styling, 168 horsepower originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Mazda And Fiat Ink Agreement On Next-Generation Alfa Romeo Spider

By Kurt Ernst

Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept - image: Laszlo Daroczy
Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept - image: Laszlo Daroczy

Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept – image: Laszlo Daroczy

It was semi-official, but now it’s officially official: Mazda will build a two-seat roadster for Fiat at its Hiroshima, Japan plant. The car will be sold under the Alfa Romeo brand, and chances are good that it will be labelled the Alfa Romeo Spider, in homage to the classic affordable Italian roadster produced from 1966 – 1993.

The Alfa Romeo model will be based on the next Mazda MX-5, but it will feature styling unique to the brand. While both the Alfa Romeo and the Mazda will retain a front-engine, rear-drive layout, expect the Alfa to use a Fiat engine, while the MX-5 will use a Mazda-built engine.

The move is a win for both brands, since it gives Mazda needed production volume while allowing Alfa Romeo to bring a (badly needed) car to market more quickly than would otherwise be possible. Expect the Alfa Romeo to be positioned above the MX-5 in both price and performance, which will help to protect Mazda’s market share.

The only bad news we see is this: production isn’t scheduled to begin until 2015, meaning that a new Alfa Romeo Spider is at least two years off, and that’s assuming the project doesn’t encounter delays. From our perspective, the car can’t get here soon enough.

Image credit: Laszlo Daroczy, CC 2.0

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Automotive Addicts