Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    Rumorpile: Fiat Spider To Have A Hot Abarth Edition

      Coming Soon: A High-Performance Fiat Spider

    We know that Fiat will be getting a new Spider courtesy of the folks from Mazda and might be shown later this year at either Frankfurt of LA. Now some new information shines a light on a possible performance version.

     

    Speaking with Auto Express, Fiat's COO Alfredo Altavilla said there will be two variations of the Fiat Spider - a 'comfortable' Fiat version and a “extreme” Abarth version.

     

    “You like performance? There will be an Abarth version,” said Altavilla.

     

    The Abarth version will get more aggressive styling, retuned suspension, and a set of larger brakes. Power is expected to come from a detuned version of the Alfa Romeo 4C producing 200 horsepower.

     

    Source: Auto Express

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    G. David Felt

    While nothing wrong with performance versions and this sounds like a cool little car, I STRONGLY believe they are wasting money on this when so many other QUALITY issues exist in the over all company that should be addressed first and getting new models out to drive profits on existing lines before trying to expand FIAT.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt

    I know this should have minimal cost but I still see them wasting money when they need to focus on the existing quality of products they have that have serious issues like the transmissions, etc.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    smk4565

    Who cares about quality, it will have passion and soul because it is Italian.  I think Fiat needs more models, obviously they need a 500L convertible, a 500X 4-door crossover coupe Abarth and a 500L-XL that is a long wheelbase, 3 row 500L, better make a coupe version of that too.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    El Kabong

    I know this should have minimal cost but I still see them wasting money when they need to focus on the existing quality of products they have that have serious issues like the transmissions, etc.

    Mazda is doing the heavy lifting in this one. Mopar will be getting lots of (almost certainly) good press for next to nothing. Which is good, because now they've gotta get that Giulia platform spread around.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt

     

    I know this should have minimal cost but I still see them wasting money when they need to focus on the existing quality of products they have that have serious issues like the transmissions, etc.

    Mazda is doing the heavy lifting in this one. Mopar will be getting lots of (almost certainly) good press for next to nothing. Which is good, because now they've gotta get that Giulia platform spread around.

     

    I still see poor mgmt and leadership. Build the best with the model lines they have and then with quality expand the model line. Sadly FCA is being ruined by the Italian idiots at the top. Would have been better to let Chrysler go to an American investment group who could focus on what they have then let Fiat buy them.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    smk4565

    Oh yeah, Chrysler quality was industry leading when they were owned by Cerebus.  And the Dart, Cherokee, Renegade and 200 are on Fiat platforms, the Ram and Jeep V6 turbodiesel is because of Fiat.  I think FCA is a bit of a mess as well, but Chrysler would be out of business right now with Fiat.  And Fiat might be out of business by now without Chrysler, somehow they are keeping each other alive.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    oldshurst442

    Fiat Spider Abarth Edition...with the Fiat Spider coming from a Mazda via the MX5...aka Miata...

     

    Mazda...Miata...FCA...Fiat Spider...ABARTH...MOPAR...VIPER...

     

    Why is it that I keep on thinking about a Monster Miata...but in crazy MOPAR SRT8 fashion where the MOPAR boys take that Fiat Spider and create another Viper roadster....

     

    Id rather an SRT8 Fiat Spider than an Abarth one I think...

     

    PS: No need to go crazy....no need for a 6.1 or 6.4, just the regualr 5.7 Hemi would do, I guess.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    smk4565

    Can't put a V8 in a car that small.  Remember the Miata is 1,000 lbs lighter than a Corvette.  Even if a V8 fit under the hood, which I'd doubt it does, then the weight would have to go way up, the price would go way up, because you need bigger brakes, bigger transmission, structural enhancements, etc.

     

    Interestingly enough, the Hemi V8 doesn't even fit in the Viper. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    oldshurst442

    It could be done...

    It HAS been done...with Ford 302s and Chevy LS swaps...

     

    Not sure with a 5.7 Hemi...and that is where I may have hit a snag...but suspensions systems and cooling and transmissions and rear ends and motor mounts that fit oil pans so there are virtually no issues with clearances of any kind all have been solved a  long time ago allowing FORD 302s and GM LS engines to be swapped quite easily...

     

    So yeah...Id welcome a SRT8 version of a Fiat Spider... an Italian version of a Viper....which in turn is a Mopar spiritual version of a Shelby Cobra....which ironically Shelby himself had a say  in the Viper while being with Chrysler in the 1980s....because he got the boot from Ford...and the Cobra was based on a British Roadster....which the Fiat is based on the Miata...which is a spiritual successor to the British Roadster....can you say this crazy thing I just dreamt up has "come full circle"?

     

    I think its a neat way of seeing things...

    And I definitely think its a neat thing to want...

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    oldshurst442

    Maybe they will just stick to real Mopar SRT engines and just deal with the Viper's own V10...

     

    Listen SMK...it has been done...with LS swaps and Ford 302s...and...its not as if Mopar's 5.7 liter V8 HEMI is a super expensive exotic motor...

     

    No...a car like that wont be like a nimble AC Ace....nor like a 289 Cobra...it'll be more like a 427 Cobra...

     

    Yes...front heavy...but V8...

    Some of us like that kind of...muscle car formula...some of us dont...

     

    But...to argue with a dream of a post that I made...its kinda ridiculous...dont you think?

     

    That post was made in jest...pointing out some very eerie similarities between a AC Ace, a Miata...a Cobra...a Viper...a Fiat Spider....Carrol Shelby...FCA...MOPAR and Abarth...

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    El Kabong

    I know this should have minimal cost but I still see them wasting money when they need to focus on the existing quality of products they have that have serious issues like the transmissions, etc.

    Mazda is doing the heavy lifting in this one. Mopar will be getting lots of (almost certainly) good press for next to nothing. Which is good, because now they've gotta get that Giulia platform spread around.

    I still see poor mgmt and leadership. Build the best with the model lines they have and then with quality expand the model line. Sadly FCA is being ruined by the Italian idiots at the top. Would have been better to let Chrysler go to an American investment group who could focus on what they have then let Fiat buy them.

    There was no such American suitor in '08. And as someone else mentioned, Cerberus wasn't exactly a kindly overseer. I'm not drinking Sergio's Kool-Aid by any means, but he's pretty clever with being able to get inexpensive attention.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×

  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Good solid review The Premium Electric Truck That Justifies Every Dollar Over Its Rivals
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Have to agree here with this guy, no one should work any longer than they want too, as long as you are financially set to live comfortably. With that said, I also agree with him that the thinking of retiring at 65 is out of date in todays age of much longer life. Billionaire BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Declares No One Should Have To Work Longer Than They Want But Says Retiring At 65 Is 'Crazy'
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      I get the point your making, VW never gelled with me nor the California vibe thing of Surfing and the van. It could be that growing up in the PNW where Conversion GM and Ford full size vans and some Dodge full size vans was a bigger influence on me, especially for the outdoor mountain, backwoods adventure thing as to why the Kia WKNDR gels with me far more than the VW thing. Yes, you and Robert are right in that VW did the van thing far sooner than America did with GM, Ford and Dodge, but then having a full-size van conversion with a full-size bed in it that fit this big guy compared to the cramped mid-size VW noise box was different to me than others. My dad when he married my mom had both a VW Beetle and the Van, they sold both for their first station wagon and drove my sister up to Washington State where they got away from the cement Jungle of the greater LA area and then I was created and lived my life here till after college, moving away and living all over the U.S. Came back to the PNW as the kids were in elementary school as I was wanting to make a career change and wanted family support during the transition. Never left once I entered the Computer Engineering side of life after leaving sales for a better balance of Work / family life. VW is gelling with those that had fond memories of past VW vans / lifestyle, but I am not sure if it will get long life with the younger generation. I already see way too many conversions Mercedes Vans at the mountain pass for ski/snowboard, camping, etc. than I do anything else. I also see a ton of Ford / GM chassis trucks that have been converted into a type of van living RV. Time will tell as to what comes in the 21st century as we move forward with EV's. I will say that if KIA delivers on their Modular PVB, I can see it being very popular with folks that want to change between a pickup and van for family needs. Crazy price, but happy that some rich person paid $3.7 million for the very first 2025 ZR1 Corvette. 2025 Corvette ZR1 VIN 001 Raises $3.7 million for Red Cross at Charity Auction
    • Robert Hall
      Airplanes

      By Robert Hall · Posted

      I'm sick and tired of 47's reign and it's only been a week.  Going to be a long 4 years.  For my mental health and sanity I'm trying to avoid any media involving him and his administration.  Just burnt out on politics and the stupidity and uselessness of many Americans....a nation of imbeciles.  
    • surreal1272
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By surreal1272 · Posted

      Yeah, I don't know how Dave missed pone key thing about the VW. When speaking of the "versatility" of the Kia vs the VW, he forgot one key thing. VW already has a 60 year head start in the 3rd party/aftermarket conversion race. VW minibus's have been on the conversion trip since they first arrived here and that market is actually pretty huge and is in the only thing that qualifies as a "van lifestyle" in this country right now. The things that have done with those is amazing and the new Buzz has already been subject to the aftermarket game.   https://electrek.co/2024/08/08/customizable-campervan-conversions-for-the-vw-id-buzz/   https://www.siestacampers.com/blog/vw-id-buzz   Again, one has to put their preferred brand pom poms down and look at this objectively.

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search