One of the new cars recently presented at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show is the brand new 2016 Fiat 124 Spider, based around the latest Mazda MX-5. The Italian drop-top shares its underpinnings with the MX-5 but utilises a completely bespoke body while also bringing with it a new turbocharged petrol engine.
It has a 1.4-litre MultiAir turbocharged engine that pumps out a total of 140 hp and 240 Nm of torque. Fiat claims that it has positioned the engine in such a way that it improves the weight distribution and therefore results in better handling.
The body of the Fiat 124 Spider is made from aluminium and high-tensile steel with straight beams providing most of the vehicle’s strength. There are also front sub-frame and rear cross members connecting to these straight beams. Aluminium has been used for the bonnet, boot lid, bulkhead panel, underbody cross-member, front and rear bumper reinforcements and the seatback bars.
The differences between the 124 Spider and the Mazda MX-5 is obvious with completely custom body panels as well as new headlights and taillights. Interestingly, the interior has gone relatively unchanged from the MX-5 meaning it incorporates a simple and stripped-back design.
