troll !

 

Not at all it seems.

 

Platforms are shared with all manufacturers. Mazda and ford have had a long and sucessful relationship

 

yes but I dont believe this story... Its already been said that the Alfa spider will use a Chrysler RWD platform

 

You believe what you want, and it may not happen, but it was said to me by a designer in centro stile. I'm not from Sweden either.

 

I heard they were going to use the 1970's Beetle chassis as a cost cutting measure!?

30 odd bolts and new shell on and bob's their uncle.

 

well why not? All in all the Mazda chassis is one of the most successful ones of the last 10 years or so. Better than Chrysler!

 

Old story. Or is it?

Alfa allegedly acquired several Mazda MX5 chassis for "evaluation" several years ago, but the project was stillborn due to the Chrysler situation. More recently however, Marchionne has stated that Fiat-Chrysler are looking for further partners, and has mentioned both Mazda and Suzuki.

 

More recently however, Marchionne has stated that Fiat-Chrysler are looking for further partners, and has mentioned both Mazda and Suzuki.

There's already a partnership with Suzuki - the Sedici.

 

An MX5 based Duetto would be great

 

Suzuki are showing all the signs of having to depart the US market . Not a good partner.

 

Fiat have the US angle covered. However, they would like to take advantage of the growing Indian market, where Suzuki are very successful (this was also the main reason for VWs willingness to form a partnership with Suzuki). Like other maginal brands, Suzuki are suffering at the moment. Mazda aren't in great shape either, what with the problems caused by the eathquake and the continuing high valuation of the Yen. Both manufacturers have said that they are interested in potential partnerships.

Before Suzuki and Mazda were mentioned, there was talk of a possible tie-up between Fiat and PSA Peugeot-Citroen. Thankfully PSA have done a deal with GM (Opel/Vauxhall) instead.

 

Before Suzuki and Mazda were mentioned, there was talk of a possible tie-up between Fiat and PSA Peugeot-Citroen. Thankfully PSA have done a deal with GM (Opel/Vauxhall) instead.

Why do you say "thankfully"?

 

Suzuki are desperately trying to get out of their partnership with VW, trouble is it might put them off any future tie-ups.

 

the Mazda-Ford alliance is not what it used to be - in 2008 Ford had 34% & controlling stake and now is just 3%

 

Presumably because PSA have little to offer that's any good

 

FTO - totally agree ... Fiats purchase of Chrysler as saved them and was a far sighted bit of work by Marchionne. Suzuki would be a good partner for Fiat, not so sure about Mazda ...

 

What's wrong with chopping 4C's roof off ? The best way, imho, to get a light, fun to drive, pure breed, italian sports car.

 

Nothing, in principle. There may be some issues with chassis stiffness though. Would probably be priced out of being competitive though.

Tie up with Mazda? Imagine an Alfa Duetto ragtop with the MX5 chassis and the 1750Tbi engine, priced to compete with the Toyota GT86. That would surely be a suitable Alfa for even the most diehard Alfisti:inlove:

 

Yes.. we like Mazda.. though Autocar would probably criticise the car's handling as "not as good as a Ford Focus.. " :lol:

Stick a 1750 into the MX5... make it look a bit more well-'ard and not so poncey and fit really expensive cabin plastics just to shut the journo's up.. and off we go!

As I understand it, Suzuki are more keen to be shot of VW than vice-versa. VW doesn't want Suzuki to use FPT diesels and there are a few other tensions there.. but I don't think Suzuki would be put off a tie-up with Fiat... VW is a bit OCD.. whereas I imagine Fiat is a lot more laid back.

Ralf S.

 

Stick a 1750 into the MX5... make it look a bit more well-'ard and not so poncey and fit really expensive cabin plastics just to shut the journo's up.. and off we go!

Aye! 'Appen.. :thumbs:


Ralf S.

 

Mazda and FIAT to build sports car together

Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) and Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. (Fiat) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and manufacturing of a new roadster for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo marques based on Mazda’s next-generation MX-5 rear-wheel-drive architecture.


The study calls for both Mazda and Fiat to develop two differentiated, distinctly styled, iconic and brand-specific light weight, roadsters featuring rear-wheel drive. The Mazda and Alfa Romeo variants will each be powered by specific proprietary engines unique to each brand.

The project assumption is that both vehicles will be manufactured at Mazda’s Hiroshima, Japan, plant with production for Alfa Romeo envisaged starting in 2015. “Establishing technology and product development alliances is one of Mazda’s corporate objectives and this announcement with Fiat is an important first step in that direction. It is especially exciting to be collaborating with such a prestigious marque as Alfa Romeo on a new roadster based on the next-generation MX-5, which is such an iconic vehicle for Mazda and recognized as the best-selling roadster of all time.” said Takashi Yamanouchi, Mazda's Representative Director and Chairman of the Board, President and CEO.


“This agreement clearly demonstrates our commitment to Alfa Romeo and the determination to grow it into a truly global brand. By partnering with Mazda, we will be co-operating with the recognized leader in compact rear-drive vehicle architectures in order to deliver an exciting and stylish roadster in the Alfa Romeo tradition. We are appreciative of this collaboration with Mazda and look forward to maintaining a fruitful and continuous relationship.” said Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne.

The Final Agreement is expected to be signed in the second-half of 2012. Mazda and Fiat have also agreed to discuss further opportunities for co-operation in Europe.

 

great news if it all comes off - lightweight, RWD, relatively cheap alfa roadster? yes please!!!!

 

What AL said ... and by the time it happens.... I'll not need to worry about my hair being blown in the wind

 

The new Duetto, then? This is so exciting. A 4C as the mini-supercar and a small, RWD Duetto as well?

This should be so exciting; with Mazda making it, it's guaranteed to be a great drive as well. Certainly better than Alfa have come up with for quite some time.

EDIT: I didn't want to post again, but this really does have me so excited. I'm looking to own a 4C next (finances permitting), rather than a Duetto, but considering Mazda didn't think this MX-5 (which has won so many comparisons and driver competitions) is a little lardy and not 'pure' enough, this is such fantastic news.

A one-tonne, rear-drive car built by the firm whose car is famously fun to drive, with an Italian engine and design, but Japanese quality? Whatever people say, this will be a real Alfa, because it will have an Alfa engine. It will just be a better one than we have seen for a few decades.

 

This should be so exciting; with Mazda making it, it's guaranteed to be a great drive as well. Certainly better than Alfa have come up with for quite some time.
.

if you are speaking brera/spider then yea, otherwise not

 

During production of the Mk1 Mx5 (1989 -) alfa looked at producing a direct competitor to it and decided against it - you wonder how on earth they cound have come to that decision.

I had a Mk 1 Mx5 and it was brillient, and it would have been simply increadable with a Twin Spark motor in it

So if this is for real then it is fantastic news

 

Perhaps they also felt that there'd be too much cross over with Fiat's Barchetta??

 

Looks like the new Spider then that was slated for 2014. Probably good news provided there is enough differentiation. Could be very successful, look at how well the MX-5 sold.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

My other car is a Mk1 MX5. MX5 sales have been in a slow decline since 1992. In 1992, Mazda shifted nearly 100,000 MX5s in a year. Last year, they sold less than 17,000 worldwide. VW are considering a Roadster, but have said the numbers don't work out unless they can sell at least 40,000 globally. Mazda's sold astonishingly well because they had no rivals, and they tapped precisely in at the right time as the Baby Boomers were hankering after a more modern version of their MG, Triumph or Alfa Romeo. The Guinness claims for me, even as a MX5 owner, have always bothered me, as the exact class always seemed to change; it was a marketing gimmick.

Given the short timelines, I wouldn't expect the Alfa variant to look anything more than a badge engineered version of the MX5; different front facia, but the doors, interior etc will be similar, especially as it will be built on the same line as the MX5. Pre-production versions of the MX5 (called the ND) are probably only 12 months from taking to the road, if Mazda is correct in saying a 2014 launch, so there's not a lot Alfa Romeo can do at this juncture to influence the basic package. They are going to have to force Alfa Romeo styling on a Mazda; this may have been different if they were planning to build the cars in different locations, but they are not.

The Alfa is probably going to get the better engines; the Mazda Skyactivs are struggling for power by all accounts. But in the Alfa Romeo, how much of the drivetrain will be Fiat; the engine, gearbox, ECU, differential, braking systems? If the drivetrain and systems are going to be hybrids of the two makers, is it going to work all that well? Is the Alfa version going to sell for the same money as the Mazda, or will they pitch it more upmarket, and how will that affect the 4C? If sold for the same money, that will pretty much kill off MX5 sales in Europe.

The Alfa Romeo Arna didn't work out, building a Japanese car with an Italian power plant in Italy.

 

Given the short timelines, I wouldn't expect the Alfa variant to look anything more than a badge engineered version of the MX5; different front facia, but the doors, interior etc will be similar, especially as it will be built on the same line as the MX5.

The Alfa is probably going to get the better engines; the Mazda Skyactivs are struggling for power by all accounts. ... Is the Alfa version going to sell for the same money as the Mazda, or will they pitch it more upmarket, and how will that affect the 4C? If sold for the same money, that will pretty much kill off MX5 sales in Europe.

The Alfa Romeo Arna didn't work out, building a Japanese car with an Italian power plant in Italy.

I've condensed your post in the interests of readability, I hope you don't mind.

Fiat make the new Ford Ka, and the interior of that is definitely different enough, despite a fairly similar central architecture. I think Alfa can throw a few Mito/Giulietta parts into the interior to make it their own and the exterior would be distinctly Alfa, naturally.

I think Alfa will give theirs different options (and a slightly higher price) like Subaru/Toyota on their BRZ/GT86. I don't think it will affect the 4C though, which will cost at least twice as much (I can see this car starting around £18k and going to £25k with all options, whereas 4C is said to be expected to start at £45k).

In terms of its appeal, I think the current crop of small convertibles are all ugly with their hunchback profiles and so nobody really desires them. The MX-5 is also aesthetically mundane; this car would make people think of The Graduate, and Alfa Romeo could (and definitely should) channel that. If it were good enough, it would get younger drivers out of GTIs and STs.

 

A good idea, lets hope it works out.

The MX5 is considered one of the greatest cars out there, and lets not forget the Barchetta. A fab little roadster, which would have sold in bigger numbers in the UK if it was RHD.

*goes off to peruse ebay for a Barchetta*

 

I think it would be great as well.

An MX-5 Chassis, with Alfa styled body and an Alfa engine would be a winning formula.

Providing they don't make it too heavy.