Fiat 124 2017

The new Fiat 124 Spider marks the Italian brand’s return to the affordable roadster market after an absence of more than decade. 

Heavily based on the Mazda MX-5, the newcomer combines that car’s agile rear-wheel drive handling with Fiat’s own turbocharged MultiAir engine. The 124 Spider also features totally unique exterior styling – although the interior is carried over largely unchanged from the Mazda.

The Fiat can trace its roots back to the original 124 Spider, which made its debut back in 1966 and continued in production for nearly two decades. Then, in 1995, Fiat had another stab at the roadster market with the pretty Barchetta.

However, this car was front-wheel drive and only available in left-hand drive, meaning sales were slow, particularly in the face of rivals such as the MX-5.

So for this revived 124 Spider, Fiat has decided that ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em’. As a result, the new car is essentially a re-skinned Mazda MX-5.

Every single body panel is changed to give the Fiat its own identity, but the underlying structure, suspension and even the interior are taken wholesale from the Mazda. The Fiat is also built alongside the MX-5 at Mazda’s Hiroshima factory in Japan.

Externally, the Fiat looks different enough from the Mazda MX-5. Yet with its longer overhangs (the Fiat is 139mm longer overall), gaping front grille and slab sides, the 124 Spider doesn’t looks as compact or stylish as the tautly designed and perfectly proportioned Mazda.

Yet while fans of the sixties original will no doubt be dismayed at this blatant badge-engineering, it does mean the 124 Spider is fun to drive, solidly built and relatively affordable. And while much of the Fiat is Japanese, its heart is still 100 percent Italian.

Under the sculpted bonnet (a clear nod to the sixties original) is Fiat’s own 138bhp turbocharged 1.4-litre MultiAir petrol engine. It doesn’t rev quite as eagerly as the naturally aspirated 1.5 and 2.0-litre units used in the MX-5, but it’s as quick as the latter thanks to its muscular 240Nm torque output. It’s also more relaxing to drive, because you don’t need to work the engine as hard to access strong performance.

Currently, this engine is the only option available to British 124 Spider buyers – the American market car gets a more potent 160bhp version of the same powerplant. However, sources close to the company have confirmed that an even more powerful and sharper handling Abarth model is in the pipeline for UK and European customers.

Like the Mazda MX-5 powerplants, this engine drives through a six-speed manual gearbox, yet unlike its Japanese cousin the Fiat 124 Spider is also available in the UK with a six-speed automatic.

2011 Geneva’s Top 10 new cars

The Geneva Motor Show 2011 has already gone down as one to remember! Given the shear number of new production cars and concepts at the show, it’s fair to say that the automotive industry has shaken off the pain of the past couple of years.

But it seems that the recession has proved to be the mother of reinvention for the car industry, with a host of truly innovative, interesting and exciting new cars making their debut at the Swiss expo.

And you’ve been hooked too, judging from our exception site traffic throughout the show. Here we rank the top 10 new cars.

1. Volkswagen Bulli

Sensational Bulli brings classic van bang up to date, featuring electric drivetrain and seating for six.

2. Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Alfa’s 4C debuts with 250bhp Giulietta engine and chassis developed by Dallara as evolution of KTM X-Bow.

3. Ford B-MAX

Ford reveals new Fiesta-based MPV at last, featuring unique ‘pillarless’ design.

4. Skoda Vision D

Five-door Vision D concept reveals future design direction for Skoda and offers glimpse of new family car.

5. Lamborghini Aventador

Aventador blasts off to replace Murciélago with hi-tech carbon construction and a 691bhp V12.

6. Saab PhoeniX

Bold new PhoeniX shows brand’s new styling direction and points to look of next 9-3.

7. Toyota FT-86 II

Legendary Celica returns as Toyota debuts close-to-production second FT-86 concept.

8. Fiat 500 Coupe Zagato

Fiat’s 500 gets a coupe makeover from Italian design house Zagato and could preview a production model.

9. Audi A3 saloon

Saloon previews Audi’s next premium family model, joining three-door, Sportback, Avant, Coupe and Cabriolet.

10. Citroen Metropolis

Metropolis revealed in Europe for first time, and production version will top DS range as part of joint venture with Chinese maker.

Fiat 500L

Fiat’s new 500L five-door MPV will go on sale in 2013, after debuting at the upcoming 2012 Geneva auto show. Fiat had already confirmed that such a model was coming, but now it has released photos.

The “L” in its name stands for “large,” and the 500L lives up to its moniker by offering two more doors than the regular 500 hardtop as well as seating for a fifth passenger. European 500L is 163.0 inches long, 70.1 inches wide, and 65.4 inches tall; that’s a little longer and taller than and roughly the same width as a Mini Countryman. The measurements will be essentially unchanged. Cargo room, is sure to increase beyond the pitiful 10 cubic feet available behind the smaller 500’s rear seats.

Styling-wise, the transition from 500 to 500L reminds us of the relationship between the Mini Countryman and the Mini Cooper hatch; the 500L looks like a 500 that stuck its thumb in its mouth and an air hose in its tail. That said, it’s not totally unattractive, and details like the bulging fenders and the wraparound windshield add some zest. The enormous front quarter-windows are somewhat debatable, however. The front end’s big black bumper and chunky plastic trim on the doors and rear end add some crossover-ness to the appearance.

Speaking of crossover pretensions, the 500L will be front-wheel drive—but we expect an optional all-wheel-drive system adapted from the architecturally related Fiat Panda to be worked into the mix eventually. We’re hoping the 101-hp, 1.4-liter four from the standard 500 isn’t in the running; the 160-hp, turbocharged four from the 500 Abarth would be a nice alternative. The Euro-spec model gets Fiat’s TwinAir two-cylinder and a 1.3-liter turbo-diesel among its options.