2017 Fiat 124 Spider Dissected: Design, Powertrain, Chassis, and More
2017 Fiat 124 Spider Dissected: Design, Powertrain, Chassis, and More - Fiat Chrysler employer Sergio Marchionne has actually made obvious of his desire to talk to one more significant car manufacturer in search of enormous economies of scale. When General Motors Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra rejected his initial overture, he memorably (and creepily) quipped, "I could squeeze you nicely, I can hug you snugly, I could squeeze you like a bear." While the brand-new Fiat 124 Spider is the item of participation with an additional automaker, it's a far cry from whatever kind of squeeze Marchionne has in mind.
2017 Fiat 124 Spider Dissected: Design, Powertrain, Chassis, and More
Designing
The 124 Spider derive from a tie-up not with one of the globe's largest car manufacturers, but with Mazda, one of the tiniest. It's a remodelled MX-5 Miata, although every exterior physical body panel is brand-new and the Fiat looks absolutely nothing like the Mazda. Rather, it recalls the Tom Tjaarda-- created as well as Pininfarina-built original Fiat 124 Spider, which marketed greater than 170,000 copies over its 16 years below, reigning as Fiat's all-time bestseller in America.
The 124 Spider derive from a tie-up not with one of the globe's largest car manufacturers, but with Mazda, one of the tiniest. It's a remodelled MX-5 Miata, although every exterior physical body panel is brand-new and the Fiat looks absolutely nothing like the Mazda. Rather, it recalls the Tom Tjaarda-- created as well as Pininfarina-built original Fiat 124 Spider, which marketed greater than 170,000 copies over its 16 years below, reigning as Fiat's all-time bestseller in America.
The Crawler's nose finishes in an updated variation of the original's squashed hexagonal grille, and the LED headlights are scalloped right into the bodywork, just like the original's. The old version had twin bulges on the hood to telegram the dual-overhead-cam engine below-- a big deal in a low-cost car back then. The new one echoes this motif. From the side, the 124 Spider's hood does not have the Miata's downward slope. Rather, it expands further and also straighter as well as is, actually, concerning three inches much longer than the Miata's. The trunklid is additionally a couple inches much longer, stretching the 124 Spider 5 inches greater than the Miata overall as well as providing it a somewhat classier and also much less aggressive profile. Baggage ability boosts just 0.3 cubic foot (from 4.6 to 4.9), however, so your golf bag will certainly still be riding shotgun. A noticeable personality line that starts behind the front wheel, kicks up near the door manage, as well as continues rearward mimics a similar line on the original Spider.
Powertrain
Under the hood lies the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from Fiat's 500 Abarth, changed for longitudinal mounting. With 160 horse power and also 184 pound-feet of torque, it is up 5 horses as well as 36 pound-feet-- at 2050 less rpm-- compared with the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter in its Mazda sibling. Yet its 6500-rpm redline is 300 revs less than the Miata's.
The engine is paired to a six-speed handbook that comes from the previous-generation MX-5, the taller tailoring of which far better matches the result of the turbocharged four. The six-speed automated is an Aisin unit, just like the one that has been utilized in the MX-5 for numerous years. Those hoping for the far more effective engine from the Alfa Romeo 4C will certainly be let down that it does not match. Besides, FCA wishes to reserve Alfa engines for Alfas. Fiat isn't really speaking performance yet, but anticipate the 124 Spider to be extremely near the Miata in straight-line rate. Its engine is slightly more effective, yet we're thinking it considers a minimum of 100 extra pounds greater than the Mazda, offered the additional sheetmetal, turbocharger, intercooler, and also older, 15-pound-heavier gearbox.
Powertrain
Under the hood lies the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from Fiat's 500 Abarth, changed for longitudinal mounting. With 160 horse power and also 184 pound-feet of torque, it is up 5 horses as well as 36 pound-feet-- at 2050 less rpm-- compared with the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter in its Mazda sibling. Yet its 6500-rpm redline is 300 revs less than the Miata's.
The engine is paired to a six-speed handbook that comes from the previous-generation MX-5, the taller tailoring of which far better matches the result of the turbocharged four. The six-speed automated is an Aisin unit, just like the one that has been utilized in the MX-5 for numerous years. Those hoping for the far more effective engine from the Alfa Romeo 4C will certainly be let down that it does not match. Besides, FCA wishes to reserve Alfa engines for Alfas. Fiat isn't really speaking performance yet, but anticipate the 124 Spider to be extremely near the Miata in straight-line rate. Its engine is slightly more effective, yet we're thinking it considers a minimum of 100 extra pounds greater than the Mazda, offered the additional sheetmetal, turbocharger, intercooler, and also older, 15-pound-heavier gearbox.
2017 Fiat 124 Spider Dissected: Design, Powertrain, Chassis, and More
Chassis
The running gear is very closely pertaining to the Miata. The Crawler has an added support in the front subframe and utilizes its own suspension calibrations with different springtimes, shocks, anti-sway bars, as well as electrically assisted power guiding, however you'll discover the same control arms up front as well as the very same multilinks out back. Also the bushings and tires are MX-5 carry-overs-- a basic 195/50R -16 as well as an optional 205/45R -17, both summer season tires.
This suspension will prevail to the 124 Spider in all markets, however Enrico Genchi, the group leader for the 124 Spider program, declined to state whether the vehicle would be sportier or much more comfortable compared to the MX-5. He did say that it would have "an excellent degree of comfort with extremely reduced physical body roll." The last unique definitely does not apply to the Miata. Mazda will not talk about the Fiat's performance and also style, other than to confirm that it did, actually, lead advancement of both cars.
The running gear is very closely pertaining to the Miata. The Crawler has an added support in the front subframe and utilizes its own suspension calibrations with different springtimes, shocks, anti-sway bars, as well as electrically assisted power guiding, however you'll discover the same control arms up front as well as the very same multilinks out back. Also the bushings and tires are MX-5 carry-overs-- a basic 195/50R -16 as well as an optional 205/45R -17, both summer season tires.
This suspension will prevail to the 124 Spider in all markets, however Enrico Genchi, the group leader for the 124 Spider program, declined to state whether the vehicle would be sportier or much more comfortable compared to the MX-5. He did say that it would have "an excellent degree of comfort with extremely reduced physical body roll." The last unique definitely does not apply to the Miata. Mazda will not talk about the Fiat's performance and also style, other than to confirm that it did, actually, lead advancement of both cars.
Inside
Inside, the 124 Spider looks like a Miata in nicer garments. The seats' shape, boosting, sewing patterns, and also towel upholstery are various. While the general control panel shape is the same, the upper component is covered with a soft-touch product, likewise used on the top door panels. Comprehensive use of satin-chrome coating provides a high end zest to all trim levels. The manual convertible top on all models has acoustic insulation and a nice internal liner, which Mazda gives only on the Grand Touring version of the Miata. Chrysler's Uconnect infomercial system isn't really appropriate with Mazda's hardware, so the 124 uses Mazda's straightforward system with Fiat graphics.
2017 Fiat 124 Spider Dissected: Design, Powertrain, Chassis, and More
How Quickly?
The 124 Crawler will begin rolling off the production line at Mazda's Hiroshima, Japan, plant in the summer season of 2016 as a 2017 model. It will initially come in 2 variations, Classico and also Lusso. Manufacturing will certainly begin with 124 duplicates of the limited Prima Edizione, celebrating the 50th wedding anniversary of the initial 124 Spider. They'll be exclusively for the U.S. market, with unique blue paint, badges, and a premium natural leather interior.
Fiat's intent seems to be to offer a more luxurious Miata though not necessarily a much less sporty one, suggesting pricing a few marvelous greater. But the vehicle is unquestionably rather, as well as we welcome any type of rear-drive roadster that will not break the bank. You might even claim we welcome it.
The 124 Crawler will begin rolling off the production line at Mazda's Hiroshima, Japan, plant in the summer season of 2016 as a 2017 model. It will initially come in 2 variations, Classico and also Lusso. Manufacturing will certainly begin with 124 duplicates of the limited Prima Edizione, celebrating the 50th wedding anniversary of the initial 124 Spider. They'll be exclusively for the U.S. market, with unique blue paint, badges, and a premium natural leather interior.
Fiat's intent seems to be to offer a more luxurious Miata though not necessarily a much less sporty one, suggesting pricing a few marvelous greater. But the vehicle is unquestionably rather, as well as we welcome any type of rear-drive roadster that will not break the bank. You might even claim we welcome it.
A lot of us, if we rested for 35 or so years, would certainly just get up tired. The Fiat 124 Spider, on the other hand, returns enhanced and also stimulated.
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