Photo: Mazda
Looking forward to see an Alfa Romeo version of the all-new Mazda MX-5/Miata? You should better look at Fiat-Abarth if you really want to see it because the original deal is off.
In an interview with British CAR magazine, Alfa Romeo brand chief Harald Wester said the automaker’s upcoming Spider won’t be a rebodied MX-5, but a an in-house built project.
"As far as the Spider goes, the final version is of course no longer the two-seater FCA [Fiat Chrysler Automobiles] codeveloped with Mazda but a derivative of project Giorgio," Wester told the publication in an interview.
Project Giorgio is Alfa Romeo’s codename for a new rear-wheel-drive platform that will be used to replace some of the automaker’s models (like the 159 sedan) and also create new ones such as the upcoming Spider.
But that doesn’t mean Mazda will have no affair with the Italians, as Wester continued to explain: “The Far East import will probably find a new home with Fiat-Abarth.”
This leaves us thinking the Mazda Miata’s lightweight platform could come to life again as a Fiat Barchetta or a long-rumored and much-awaited standalone Abarth sportscar. But whatever the case, we’re kinda’ happy the deal turned out this way. Alfa Romeo should come back building engaging cars on its own, not aided by the Japanese. FCA on the other hand is already a mess so there’s room for one more abomination in its yard.
"As far as the Spider goes, the final version is of course no longer the two-seater FCA [Fiat Chrysler Automobiles] codeveloped with Mazda but a derivative of project Giorgio," Wester told the publication in an interview.
Project Giorgio is Alfa Romeo’s codename for a new rear-wheel-drive platform that will be used to replace some of the automaker’s models (like the 159 sedan) and also create new ones such as the upcoming Spider.
But that doesn’t mean Mazda will have no affair with the Italians, as Wester continued to explain: “The Far East import will probably find a new home with Fiat-Abarth.”
This leaves us thinking the Mazda Miata’s lightweight platform could come to life again as a Fiat Barchetta or a long-rumored and much-awaited standalone Abarth sportscar. But whatever the case, we’re kinda’ happy the deal turned out this way. Alfa Romeo should come back building engaging cars on its own, not aided by the Japanese. FCA on the other hand is already a mess so there’s room for one more abomination in its yard.
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