tacti

iTrader: (3)

From their news page:
Mazda USA Media - News

Mazda and Fiat Sign Agreement for New Alfa Romeo Roadster
Jan 18, 2013

Further to the joint announcement of May 23, 2012, Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) and Fiat

Group Automobiles S.p.A. (Fiat) announced today the signing of the Final Agreement which will

see Mazda produce an open-top two-seater sports car for Fiat’s Alfa Romeo brand at its

Hiroshima, Japan, plant starting from 2015.


The new Alfa Romeo roadster will be developed for the global market, and will be based on the

architecture of the next generation Mazda MX-5. The agreement foresees for both Mazda and

Fiat to develop two differentiated, distinctly styled, iconic and brand-specific roadsters

featuring rear-wheel drive. The Mazda and Alfa Romeo variants will each be powered by

specific proprietary engines unique to each brand.


Through this contractual agreement, Mazda aims to enhance development and production

efficiency and revitalize enthusiasm for open-top two-seater sports cars around the world. For

Fiat, this collaboration will permit the company to deliver a modern interpretation of the classic

Alfa Romeo roadster utilizing the latest technical solutions, helping Alfa Romeo to achieve its

stated goals by 2016.

# # #
For further information: Jeremy Barnes, Mazda North American Operations, 949-727-6844

monchie

Interesting to know. Thanks for the heads up...

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Not exactly news as it was announced in 2012.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Many of the comments from the articles about this announcement fail to realize that with different body skins, different engines, and almost certainly different ECUs and different suspension, that they will be radically different cars. They will only share the same basic frame and subframes, so the similarities to the masses will probably end at same wheelbase, same width, close to the same length, and both RWD.


All it means is that Alfa Romeo will be buying the frames from Mazda and paying Mazda to build them. It's an income source that greatly improves the return on R+D investment on the ND Miata without causing any significant cannibalization of sales between the two.

More cash that might let the rotary get a slice....

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

The news aspect of this is: The contract is signed. They had a working agreement prior that was tentative. It's 'on' and Mazda benefits through cost sharing more than anything else. This makes our next RX-7 SO much more a reality too.

I think we will find the Alfa using some version of Mazda suspension as well, most likely sprung differently and dampened differently.

Paul.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Agreed. I probably worded that wrong.

Same suspension geometry is probably a given, leaving the only real suspension differences being the shock/spring choices.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

It should be nice. I would like stuff based upon the last generation: Double wishbone aluminum in front and multi link in the rear. They will do a great job. My friend on the project is a no nonsense sports car guy.

Paul.

Corso

I think this is really cool. Does anyone know if this will be the first model under the Alfa marque that they plan on bringing to the States, or will there be a model before this?

(Yes I realize Alfas were sold in the States until '95.)

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

this could get interesting--maybe a rotary power one???? Huhuhuhuhu

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

Oh, don't laugh. The possibilities are real .

Paul.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

Ok Paul--dont get my hopes up--i have always said that mx5 rotary build you were doing was a black ops project for Mazda!