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Official: Mazda and Alfa Romeo Ink a Deal to Share a Roadster Platform  For nearly six month now, there have been rumors that Mazda and Alfa Romeo were working on a deal that would have the next-gen MX-5 Miata and the upcoming Alfa Romeo roadster share a platform. Well, the ink has now reached the signature line on an official agreement between the two to co-develop a two-seat roadster. Both models will be built at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant starting 2015. Both models will be offered in a rear-wheel-drive configuration, but each one will feature engines developed in-house. The next MX-5 for example is rumored to be powered by a 1.3-liter turbocharged unit featuring SkyActiv technology, while the next Alfa Romeo Spyder is rumored to be powered by a turbocharged 1750 cc engine capable of developing an impressive 296 horsepower. Other rumors suggest a 1.4TB engine with an output of 168 horsepower. While we know for sure that the next Mazda will keep the usual MX-5 nomenclature, for Alfa Romeo things aren’t very sure at this point, but it has been rumored that the company plans to bring back the legendary Spyder name. Alfa Romeo will relaunch on the US market with four new models Everyone is expecting Alfa Romeo’s long-rumored return to the US market in 2014 after almost 20 years of absence. This return is part of a large revamping of the brand and its alliances with Fiat, Chrysler, and Mazda. Now, we’re learning that this comeback with bring four new models to the U.S. The first will be the new Giulia sedan - Alfa’s competitor for models like the Audi A4. The upcoming Giulia will be built in the USA so it will share most of its components with the upcoming Chrysler 200, including the Pentastar V-6 engine. Next, there will be the long rumored compact crossover SUV that will be built on the same platform as the upcoming Jeep Compass. The model will be manufactured alongside the Jeep in Belvidere and will be offered exclusively with Chrysler engines. The third stop on Alfa Romeo’s return to the U.S. will be the most important one in many people’s eyes: the 4C Coupe and Roadster. The 4C will arrive in the US one year after the Giulia and will be powered by a 1.8 liter turbocharged engine that delivers a total of 296 HP. The final model that will grace U.S. soil is the rear-wheel-drive Duetto sports car. If this name doesn’t ring a bell, don’t worry, many know it as the Spider. This new sports car will be built in Japan and will share its chassis with the next-generation Mazda Miata. The upcoming Duetto will be powered by a longitudinally mounted turbocharged 1.8-liter engine delivering about 170 HP.
Industry Whispers: Revised MX-5 Miata to Get More Power, Options, and Less Bulk We already know that Mazda and Alfa Romeo are in bed together on the MX-5 Miata/Alfa Romeo Spider project, but the specifics were still a relative unknown. A little bird, in the form of a senior design source, flew down and chirped a little info to our friends at What Car. We cannot vouch for the validity of this info, but we’re going to pass it on to you. First up, the engine... According to this unnamed source, Mazda has chosen an engine already and it is a 1.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. It pumps out a healthy 200 horsepower, which is 22 horsepower more than the 2004 and 2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5 produced and 33 horsepower more than the current model. We’re also certain that we’ll see torque cresting the 200 pound-feet mark, though there was no mention of that. The source also reports that the MX-5 will hit showrooms in 2015 with a lighter body and chassis, and a sportier look than the current model. The estimated weight the source gave was 1,000 kg (2,204 lbs), which is 276 lbs less than the 2012 model. In a car as small as the Miata, that is significant weight loss, to say the least. There is also talk that Mazda will offer its roadster up with many more options that will help give the car more of a personality. This will help form a stronger bond between the person and the car. Typically, Miata owners already have this bond with their car, but a little extra something can’t hurt. Lastly, there will be a top-end model, similar to the Mazdaspeed version in 2004 and 2005, that will be even lighter yet and more tuned for racing, as it will be stripped of unnecessary add-on features to save every ounce. There was one bit of info on the project altogether and it is that Mazda will only provide the platform (chassis, uni-body, and drivetrain); Alfa Romeo will add on its own body and interior. So scratch the evil idea that we’ll have two almost identical cars. We’ll keep an eye out for more whispers as this project continues. Fiat Squashes Speculation of Buying into Mazda, but will Increase Chrysler Ownership Last week, we reported that Fiat was open to allowing Mazda to use U.S.-based Chrysler factories to manufacture U.S.-bound Mazda models. Before that, Fiat and Mazda officially announced a partnership in building the MX5 Miata and Alfa Romeo Spider. These two announcements brought about a lot of speculation of Fiat taking the same approach that Ford did, by buying into the struggling, but slowly recovering, Mazda. After hearing plenty of these rumors, Fiat Chairman, John Elkann, had enough and announced at a shareholder meeting that Fiat is not interested in acquiring any percentage of Mazda in the future. Fiat does plan on adding a Japanese partner in the future to help expand its global reach, but there is no mention of what companies Fiat is considering. We would not be surprised to find out that this is simply a rouge to not tip its hand too early. It only makes sense for the two to partner up in a larger sense, as Mazda needs some help getting over the recovery hump and Fiat needs a Japanese partner. It would be a win-win situation, so we’ll see if Fiat’s tune changes after testing out Mazda’s abilities with the Mazda Miata-Alfa Romeo Spider production deal. Fiat is planning a little bit of expansion soon though. In July 2012, Fiat is planning to expand its ownership in Chrysler by an additional 3 percent, bringing its total ownership to over 60 percent. Over the course of time, Fiat plans to jump its overall Chrysler ownership to 100 percent, giving it complete control over the recovering automaker’s operations and profit. It definitely looks like Fiat is on the right track here so far. We will keep you updated as its expansion continues. New Details on the Alfa Romeo Spyder Rival that of the Mazda MX-5 Alfa Romeo has been rumored to be working on a new SUV for the 2013 model year, but since going big isn’t exactly the trend anymore, new rumors have surfaced that the Italian automaker is developing a small roadster. The new Alfa Romeo Spider is being considered a successor for the Brera Spider that was produced between 2006 and 2010 and is rumored to be priced at around $40K. When it debuts, it will be ready to take on the likes of the Mazda MX-5. Alfa Romeo’s focus with Spyder is to develop a vehicle with a minimal total weight and compact dimensions. It will be built on a totally new chassis that will feature weight-saving technologies to help it weigh less than 2200 lbs, or about 220 lbs lighter than the current MX-5. For the engine, Alfa Romeo has borrowed a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit, detuned to a total of 150 HP. The Alfa Romeo Spider will be offered on the US market, along with the 4C and the 159, an obvious move considering the Spider’s previous success on our side of the pond.
2014 Alfa Romeo Spider
Alfa Romeo stopped production of their Spider model in 2010, but a leaked internal document has revealed that the Spider will be headed back intot he scene in 2014. The new Spider will be one of the models Alfa Romeo will offer as part of their return to the US market, an obvious move considering the Spider’s previous success on our side of the pond. The 2014 Alfa Romeo Spider will take its design inspiration from the 2uettottanta revealed by Pininfarina at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. However, unlike the 2uettottanta Concept, the production version Spider will have to adopt a more "road-going" design language. This will include the addition of bigger and higher headlamps with LED lights, as opposed to the previously used in the concept. Larger air intakes will also be added, among other things. As for the engine options, Alfa Romeo may choose to use a four-cylinder turbocharged engine featuring Multi-Air infusion system with direct injection. There are also rumors stating that the next Spider may get a V-6 twin-turbo engine. The previous Spider has been long criticized for its non-sporty appearance, but the new model will solve that problem, becoming a very serious competitor for models like the BMW Z4 and the Mercedes-Benz SLK. UPDATE 11/18/2011: According to Auto Express, the long-rumored two-seater Alfa Romeo sports car will have one model in its sights when the car finally hits production: the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Seeing as the MX-5 is considered the holy grail of two-seater sports cars, Alfa Romeo definitely has its work cut out for them if they hope to even get a sniff of the rarefied air the MX-5 enjoys. Alfa Romeo’s focus with Spyder is to develop a vehicle with a minimal total weight and compact dimensions. It will be built on a totally new chassis that will feature weight-saving technologies to help it weigh less than 2200 lbs, or about 220 lbs lighter than the current MX-5. For the engine, Alfa Romeo has borrowed a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit, detuned to a total of 150 HP. The new Spyder is rumored to be priced at around $40K. Alfa Romeo Brera and Spider out of production this fall
There’s some bad news for both the Alfa Romeo Brera and theSpider: starting this fall the two models will be going out of production after only a five year stint in the real world. That’s not all; neither of the two models will get a successor. Bad news all around. The Brera was designed by Pininfarina and was considered one of the most beautiful cars in the world, at least according to Jeremy Clarkson. However, despite this, the car has never really been a financial success for the company. Many feel that both the Brera and the Spider have never received a challenging enough engine. The Alfa Romeo Brera was offered with a range of outstanding high-tech power units that offered generous performances: a 185 bhp 2.2 unit and a 260 bhp 3.2 V6 unit, both JTS direct injection petrol units. For the Spider, a 1.8 16V and 2.0 16v Twin Spark engines were available along with a 2.0 V6 turbo that produced 200bhp or a 3.0 V6 in either 12 (192 bhp) or 24 valves (220 bhp). Now it’s time for both models to swim with the fishes.
Exclusive: 2013 Alfa Romeo Spider Rendering
TopSpeed has some new renderings of what the next Alfa Romeo Spider will look like and it looks simply amazing. We all know that Alfa Romeos have always looked sensational and have always delivered that brilliant driving experience that can only be felt if you’ve owned one. They aren’t the fastest and they aren’t the most practical, but their unique design and lovable charm is what makes an Alfa, an Alfa. The car is based on the Pininfarina 2uettotanta concept shown in Geneva and, based on how well it was received by the public, these new renderings might be an accurate representation of what the model will look like when it’s put into production. Yet, as is the way with these things, health and safety folks are going to require a few changes before the car goes on sale. First off, the lights will need to be bigger and positioned higher. The LED lights that are currently on the car probably won’t be the only light source, so a blend of normal headlights and LEDs seem more logical. The air intakes need to be enlarged to ensure proper cooling for the V6 that will be under the hood. Hit the jump to keep reading. Full story Students come up with design study for the new Alfa Romeo Spider
If you ever find yourself wondering who the brains are behind the new Alfa Romeo Spider, you might want to try and remember these three names: Alberto Gaiani, Massimo Paparella and Michela Zedda. These three are students from the Politecnico di Milano University in Italy and they’re responsible for this stylishly sexy study of the Alfa Spider. The study, which was done in conjunction with the Italian automaker, focuses on a completely re-tooled version of the Spider that infuses both the car’s old-school inspiration in the iconic Duetto and combines it with the previous generation Spider of the 90’s and the wedge-shaped profile it came in. According to Samuel Codegoni, a professor at PMU who assisted the three students in their design study, "One of the main ideas that drove this project was to express a sense of tension in action" The study looks drop-dead gorgeous, if you ask us. It’s clean, aggressive, and decidedly more cutting edge in terms of its styling cues when compared to the prior models of the same line. We don’t know if Alfa Romeo will use this design for the next Spider, but we do know that these students should be given an ’A’ for their handiwork. Alfa Romeo Brera Spider gets new engines
Who knew that when a certain italdesign giugiaro concept car from Alfa Romeo appeared at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show that it would turn out to be so widely accepted in the marketplace? Designed to replace the GTV, the Alfa Romeo Brera started production in 2005 and was then followed by a cabrio version, the Alfa Romeo Spider, in 2006. Both of these models have had continued success in the marketplace and, now, they will continue to do so with a couple of new engines. The British market has just received the 1750 TBi engine and the 2.0 JTDM powerplant for the Brera and Spider models. The first engine, a 1750 TBi engine develops a total of 200 HP and 320 NM of torque. Powered by the new engine, the two models make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 7.7 and 7.8 seconds respectively and can hit a top speed of 146 mph. The second engine, a 2.0 JTDM powerplant develops 170 HP at 4,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 360 Nm between just 1750 rpm and 2500 rpm. Powered by the new 2.0 JTDM engine the Alfa Brera and Alfa Spider make the 0 to 62 mph sprint in just 8.8 and 9.0 seconds respectively, and possess a top speed of 135 mph. Both models will also get a new Italia Independent trim that includes a matte black titanium exterior finish, 18" black opaque turbine design alloy wheels, carbon fiber effect trim inserts, and a radio/sat-nav system. Consumers may recognize this trim as the previous special edition package provided by Alfa Romeo last year. This package was limited to 900 units then, but will be a free-for-all in their newest models. Press release after the jump. Full story | Alfa-Romeo Spider latest reviews:
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