Fiat's Mazda MX5-based 124 Spider revival has been spotted undisguised near Santa Barbara in California. Compared to the Miata, FCA's two-seater roadster comes with the front and rear fascia reminiscent of the Pininfarina-designed, original 1966 Fiat 124 Spider.
The car’s interiors clearly reveal the carryover from the Miata, which actually works in favour of the 124, given the much appreciated interior quality of the new Miata.
Unlike the 1.5-litre petrol engine with a six-speed manual transmission on the Miata, the base model of the 124 will most likely use a 180bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission; a six-speed manual option will follow subsequently.
Also to follow next year is a hotter Abarth 124, powered by a 1.75-litre petrol motor coupled to a dual-clutch automatic transmission borrowed from the Alfa Romeo 4C.
The standard Fiat 124 Spider will be officially revealed before end of 2015, most likely at the Los Angeles auto show in November.
Hari Menon