Alfa Romeo To Build Spider On Own Platform, Mazda MX-5 To Fiat-Abarth

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Alfa Romeo will be going its own way for its upcoming Spider, directing Mazda to take its 2016 MX-5 over to Fiat-Abarth instead.

Car reports the new roadster will be “a derivative of project Giorgio,” per Alfa and Maserati brand boss Harald Wester. Giorgio is, of course, the RWD platform that will underpin many a new Alfa, including the expected 159 successor due early this coming summer.

As for the MX-5’s role in the matter, the platform will be heading to Fiat-Abarth, raising the possibility for a new Barchetta or stand-alone Abarth model to emerge from Mazda’s Hiroshima facility in the near future. Alfa’s Spider, however, will be made in Italy, per CEO Sergio Marchionne’s vision for the Alfa brand.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Morea Morea on Dec 22, 2014

    The last time Alfa Romeo got involved with the Japanese the world ended up with the Arna. Perhaps it's for the best that Alfa stays away from Mazda.

    • Eyeflyistheeye Eyeflyistheeye on Dec 22, 2014

      I love the Arna just because of how ridiculous it is. The parents of the Skyline and GTA M came together to create a car and ended up with the Arna thinking that the reason people bought compact workaday Nissans were because of their awesome design and fierce driving dynamics, while Alfisti were gaga over Alfa's legendary build quality and reliability. The real problem with Alfa leaving the project is they finally got it right after 33 years and we'll never see it.

  • EAF EAF on Dec 22, 2014

    Why is everyone making this same front bumper? Acura beak for the win!

  • Robc123 Robc123 on Dec 23, 2014

    forget fiat- Aluminum Lotus MX-5 Lotus sells it as an Elan in Carbon, Mazda the mx-5 in Aluminum. ***mind blown**** (this blog would be shut down as there would be nothing more to talk about)

  • Vulpine Vulpine on Dec 24, 2014

    I'd rather have a new X 1/9 than a new Spyder, but if it has throwback visuals to the old Spyder, I'd be interested. Toy car!

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