Mazda MX-5 to spawn Alfa Romeo roadster | CarAdvice

Car Advice
  • Home
  • »  Mazda MX-5 to spawn Alfa Romeo roadster

Mazda MX-5 to spawn Alfa Romeo roadster

MAZDA MX-5
By Jez Spinks |
FIND DEALS

The next-generation Mazda MX-5 will underpin a new Alfa Romeo two-seater as part of a newly formed alliance between Mazda and Fiat.

Mazda and Alfa’s parent company Fiat Group Automobiles have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see the Japanese and Italian companies combine forces to develop an all-new, rear-wheel-drive roadster that will go on sale in 2015.

The new roadsters will not be near-identical twins like the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ rear-wheel-drive coupes. A joint statement from Fiat and Mazda stressed the two models would be distinctly different, with differentiated styling and engines.

Alfa Romeo will release a new two-seater sports coupe called the 4C in 2013 (concept pictured above), which has yet to be confirmed for right-hand-drive production. Logic dictates the model that follows two years later could become a 4C Spider (rendered in an artist’s impression in the main image) despite being based on a different platform to the coupe.

The Mazda MX-5 relationship also guarantees a 4C Spider would be available for markets such as the UK and Australia.

“Establishing technology and product development alliances is one of Mazda’s corporate objectives and this announcement with Fiat is an important first step in that direction,” said Mazda president and CEO Takashi Yamanouchi. “It is especially exciting to be collaborating with such a prestigious marque as Alfa Romeo on a new roadster based on the next-generation MX-5, which is such an iconic vehicle for Mazda and recognised as the best-selling roadster of all time.”

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said the move proved its ambitions for the Alfa Romeo brand and that the roadster could just be the start of a deepening partnership with Mazda.

“This agreement clearly demonstrates our commitment to Alfa Romeo and the determination to grow it into a truly global brand,” he said. “By partnering with Mazda, we will be co-operating with the recognised leader in compact rear-drive vehicle architectures in order to deliver an exciting and stylish roadster in the Alfa Romeo tradition. We are appreciative of this collaboration with Mazda and look forward to maintaining a fruitful and continuous relationship.”

The Alfa Romeo roadster is set to be built alongside the new MX-5 at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant in Japan, though a final agreement on the project is not due to be signed until the second half of 2012.

Mazda is struggling financially and is searching for partners now that Ford has sold all but two per cent of a 33 per cent stake it once owned in the Japanese brand.

The project will help Mazda share the burden of development and production costs for a model that, while the world’s best-selling roadster, is still a niche vehicle compared with the likes of its Mazda3 small car and CX-5 SUV.

Mazda boss Yamanouchi-san told CarAdvice last year that he couldn’t rule out a future Mazda MX-5 that, to limit investment costs, was combined with a replacement for its rotary-powered RX-8.

The company is also seeking buyers for its new range of SkyActiv fuel-saving-focused technologies, which debuted in their most complete form yet in the new Mazda CX-5 compact SUV and will feature on the all-new MX-5.


 

  • Steve the sexy man

    Mazda driving dynamics and reliability with Alfa looks and interior? Win!

    • Labrys

      Yeap. Take my money now Alfa!

  • Gibz

    i hope alfa only does the inteior, the looks of the exterior and the engine aesthetics!

    a rusty broken down mx5 doesnt sounds like fun to me.

  • Sydlocal

    It wouldn’t be the first time Mazda and Alfa Romeo have crossed paths with a car!

    • Igomi Watabi

      That’s an esoteric reference. Let’s see whp picks it up.

      • Igomi Watabi

        “who”

      • Sydlocal

        It appears at least one person has! 

  • Daniel

    Don’t get me wrong, this is obviously a good thing, but is anyone disappointed that Alfa Romeo basically aren’t even making their own cars anymore? If the roadster is a Mazda and the sedans and SUVs are soon to be Chryslers and Jeeps…I don’t know. I always thought there was something kind of romantic and characterful about an Alfa Romeo, not so much if it’s just another car incognito. 

    • Sydlocal

      Alfa also used to use Holden made V6s for a few years…

      • Daniel

        I know, but using an engine or a part here or there isn’t quite as bad as using an entire car, which is pretty much what’s happening. And even then, I wouldn’t actually say that was okay with me either, they should make their own engines, they used to be really good at it!

        • horsie

          yea if enjoy the smell of oil smoke

      • Schah7

        And “what-a-joke” & embarrassment that was for Alfa Romeo.!!

  • DAVIDZ

    Because Mazda lost more than 2 BILLION last year and are technically broke, Fiat/Chrysler might as well buy them too
    Coming to get you vw…..

  • Henry F

    It’s great to see there’s a spirit of cooperation between manufacturers who previously shared nothing in common. As the industry gets increasingly more complex and expensive, you can see why there is an increasing trend to do so.

  • Fi2

    It’s good that they’re building it in Japan, means that it will be built in accordance to Japanese standards which are the best in the world.

  • Blair Waldorf

    ahhh, as a diehard Alfa/Fiat fan, i’m glad to see this. The next MX-5 platform will be very light weight, add Alfa’s engines (1.8 turbo?), styling and interior, and hopefully Alfa will have a great car.

    Fiat would be crazy not to make their own, cheaper version, or even an Abarth stand alone model?

  • kf

    the number plate says it all……..WTH!??!?!

    ahahah jokesss sounds awesome!!! lets see how much they’ll cost….

  • Johnno

    This is a good thing. Die hard Alfisti have always wanted a small lightweight rear wheel drive car that had fun driving characteristics. Italian design and cutting edge “multi air” engine technology  with Japanese build quality. Whats not to like?????

  • IfItAintARotorItAintAMotor

    That sounds like a pretty good if you merge all the rumours together, like the next MX-5 being pared with the RX-8. 
    You’d have a new model MX-5 around 800kg, with the SKYACTIV 4cyl.  Then an Italian-styled convertible with a best-in-the-business engine noise and finally a hardtop with a rotor in it as the the next RX model (7, 8, 9?)  I would want to buy all three!

  • The Salesman

    Wow. Its like Alpha has fitted the body that the MX5 chassis always deserved. 

  • Phunken

    Finally
    One of the best win win auto co-operation in recent memory, Alfa has done worse so at least Mazda is a respected brand, and yes Mazda sporty/quality(and their design is up there with the best also) with Alfa sexy design would be a no brainer.