Fiat reveals new 124 Spider in LA

Fiat has released the first official photos and details of the new 124 Spider ahead of its upcoming debut at the Los Angeles motor show. The car has had a torturous gestation period - originally it was slated to be a new Alfa Romeo Spider, and production was going to be shared with Mazda in Japan, with all the mechanical underpinnings coming from the MX-5.

That was undone when Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne decreed that all Alfas would be built in Italy, so the Fiat and Mazda teams had to scramble to change an Alfa Spider into another classic 1960s throwback - the Fiat 124 Spider.

That car was a big hit in its day, especially in the sunshine states of America, and Fiat Chrysler bosses will be dearly hoping that the magic can be repeated. All of the mechanical package is essentially unchanged from the MX-5 - the two cars share a common structure and hard points, and the steering, suspension and electrical systems are unchanged. The only major mechanical difference between the two is the engine. Fiat has eschewed Mazda’s choice of 1.5 or 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engines and is instead using the 1.4 MultiAir petrol four-cylinder, taken from the 500 Abarth hot hatch.

Re-engineered for a rear-wheel-drive application, the engine will have 140hp in Europe, but will be offered as a 160hp engine in the US. Fiat is still working out whether or not there's a business case to bring the 160hp version to this side of the Atlantic. It's likely though that there will be an extreme Abarth-badged version which will use the 170hp version of that same engine.

The 124 Spider should be pretty entertaining to drive - the MX-5 on which it is based is one of the best driving new cars around at the moment, and with the MultiAir engine, Fiat claims that it matches the weight of the basic 1.5 Mazda but has more torque than the 2.0-litre version.

“There’s no better way to celebrate 50 years of the Fiat 124 Spider than to bring back this iconic roadster, pairing its Italian styling of the past with all of the modern performance and technology of today,” said Olivier François, Head of Fiat Brand, FCA - Global. “The 124 Spider expands the FIAT family, bringing to market yet another head-turning, fun-to-drive vehicle for our customers.”

The 124 is a little longer than the MX-5, but that’s purely down to the styling as the wheelbase and interior space are unaltered. Fiat will doubtless be on the receiving end of some criticism about the interior though - aside from a Fiat badge in the middle of the steering wheel, there is essentially no difference at all from the Mazda’s cabin. The two cars use the same switchgear, instruments and even the central infotainment screen is unchanged.

Want to see the nicest touch? Have a look at the subtle little powerdomes on the bonnet - almost a direct lift from the 1966 original.