2014 Miata also to be the next Alfa Spyder?

[Robert Puertas]

I think I might need an Alfa...

http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-cars ... meo-spyder" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata and Alfa Romeo Spyder - First Look
Mama Miata! Mazda and Alfa team up to build roadsters.
By Nick Kurczewski / Photos by Theophilus Chin/Chris Doane Automotive
May 30, 2012

Mazda and Alfa Romeo are joining forces to build the next-generation MX-5 Miata and Spyder. The 2-passenger roadsters will place a priority on keeping things simple, and small. As we already noted a couple months ago, Mazda’s engineers are working hard to trim weight (reportedly as much as 200 lb.) from the 2014 Miata. This could be aided by the Japanese automaker’s growing lineup of SkyActiv models, which offer improved performance and fuel economy thanks to their significantly lighter chassis and powertrains. That same engineering approach will certainly be applied here.

For the moment, Mazda and Alfa are keeping the specifics of the arrangement under wraps. In a previous statement, the two companies said they would "develop two differentiated, distinctly styled, iconic and brand-specific lightweight roadsters featuring rear-wheel drive. The Mazda and Alfa Romeo variants will each be powered by specific proprietary engines unique to each brand." Judging from these artist illustrations – not official images, mind you, but a pretty good guess – it appears each car has its own unique shape and personality.

The next Miata should sport much more pronounced fenders and a blunter front and rear end. Horizontal bars and a large Mazda emblem dominate the bigger grille. Those over 6-foot have always struggled to squeeze into the Miata cabin, so expect Mazda to focus some attention on boosting interior room and comfort. Considering the car's ongoing weight loss regime, it’s possible Mazda could eliminate heavy and complex features like the current model’s optional retractable folding hardtop.

In comparison, the Alfa Romeo Spyder has a sleeker and more expensive look to it – no surprise, since the Alfa is likely to cost more. There is definitely a hint of the classic “boat-tail” Spyder that Dustin Hoffman drove in the film “The Graduate.” Unlike the wide-eyed Miata, the Alfa could feature LED-intensive lighting at the front and rear. Ornamentation and superfluous details appear to be kept to an absolute minimum on this Alfa. A character line runs from the front fender to the door handles, and that’s pretty much it.
These are pint-sized roadsters, so the engine lineup is guaranteed to consist of rev-happy 4-cylinders. We’ve speculated that Mazda could opt for a normally aspirated 1.8-liter, or turbocharged 1.3 or 1.5-liter engine. Personally, the latter options sound the most intriguing – come on, Mazda! Alfa can easily dip into the Fiat parts-bin and install the highly entertaining and turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir 4-cylinder into the engine bay for the Spyder. A choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic equipped with paddle-shifters should be available in either vehicle. Expect Mazda to try to peg pricing as close as possible to the current Miata’s base price of approximately $25,000. We’d expect the Alfa price tag to fall closer to $30,000.

[Robert Puertas]

2014-alfa-romeo-spyder_large.jpg (28.67 KiB) Viewed 6935 times

[Kurt Rahn]

The Miata drawing looks like a Chrysler. The Alfa version...belissima!

[Davin Swanson]

Glad I bought my Miata when I did. Yuck.

[Leonard Cachola]

Just a reminder that these are just an artist's depictions of what the cars might look like - nothing official has been released yet.

[Robert Puertas]

Just a reminder that these are just an artist's depictions of what the cars might look like - nothing official has been released yet.

Makes you think the people at R&T are mad at Mazda for something...

[Kurt Rahn]

Just a reminder that these are just an artist's depictions of what the cars might look like - nothing official has been released yet.

Apologist!

[John Stimson]

I have never seen a non-manufacturer-sourced artist's rendering of a future model that looked even remotely like the car. And if they can meet their weight target, I hardly care what it looks like.

[Bill Schenker]

...And if they can meet their weight target, I hardly care what it looks like.

Really? I think this little beauty is well below 2200lbs....

[John Stimson]

There's a lot more that's wrong with that car than just looks.

[Max Hayter]

There's a lot more that's wrong with that car than just looks.

The same could be said about Bill!

[Craig Naylor]

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In the same article they have another "artist" rendering in yellow. I like that one better.

future-car-2014-mazda-mx-5_rt_section_image.jpg (7.96 KiB) Viewed 6781 times

even better yet is the blue one in the "first look" link also on that page.

mazda-mx-5-3_large.jpg (20.59 KiB) Viewed 6781 times

Of the three different designs respectfully (red, yellow, blue), I vote for the blue design.

(note... anyone with admin permissions who can make the three pic's the same size, feel free to edit to do so)

[Mako Koiwai]

six speed doesn't equal great in AX.

Why don't they just put in some power! Why always these wimpy motors ...