Do you think Mazda will have to step it up now?

[R8]

Hiroshima, May 23, 2012 (JCN Newswire via COMTEX) -- Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) and Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. (Fiat) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and manufacturing of a new roadster for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo marques based on Mazda's next-generation MX-5 rear-wheel-drive architecture...

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/maz...ram-2012-05-23

[ngabdala]

Sounds good except both are supposed to be "roadsters."

Originally Posted by R8

Hiroshima, May 23, 2012 (JCN Newswire via COMTEX) -- Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) and Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. (Fiat) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and manufacturing of a new roadster for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo marques based on Mazda's next-generation MX-5 rear-wheel-drive architecture...

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/maz...ram-2012-05-23

[Scooby]

Originally Posted by R8

Hiroshima, May 23, 2012 (JCN Newswire via COMTEX) -- Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) and Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. (Fiat) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and manufacturing of a new roadster for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo marques based on Mazda's next-generation MX-5 rear-wheel-drive architecture...

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/maz...ram-2012-05-23

This is great news. Competition will keep the price of the 86 convertible realistic.

[ngabdala]

Yup. I remember my friend being really happy years ago when cell phone manufacturers started using Android and marketing the phones as "better than the iphone."

Basically, he felt it would keep the prices down for his future iphones and force Apple to keep improving their phone.

Originally Posted by Scooby

This is great news. Competition will keep the price of the 86 convertible realistic.

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by R8

Hiroshima, May 23, 2012 (JCN Newswire via COMTEX) -- Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) and Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. (Fiat) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and manufacturing of a new roadster for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo marques based on Mazda's next-generation MX-5 rear-wheel-drive architecture...

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/maz...ram-2012-05-23

Well what is Fiat bringing to the table for Mazda? It sounds like nothing other than more money for building the chassis. If they gave it some Ferrari or Multiair technology, then that'd be something to be excited about! But it sounds like they will both use their own engines. Oh well, interesting info none-the-less.

[dori.]

Originally Posted by ngabdala

Sounds good except both are supposed to be "roadsters."

what did you expect? It's a Miata.

[ft86Fan]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

Well what is Fiat bringing to the table for Mazda? It sounds like nothing other than more money for building the chassis.

They are providing the most important ingredient.

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by ft86Fan

They are providing the most important ingredient.

Styling? Yeah, generally they are good looking but not always. It should be interesting though.

[azian_advanced]

mazda will need to make a hardtop version of the miata, that is more aggressive looking and less 'cute', include a turbo rotary (to maintain low weight, low CofG, balance, but still have power) and offer it at a price below $30k. other than that i don't think mazda will stand a chance against the 86.

[Jayde]

Originally Posted by tripjammer

It is dead as the Acura Integra.

Don't say that! There is always hope!!

I know it'll never happen, but I can dream...

[SioXie101]

Originally Posted by Jayde

Don't say that! There is always hope!!

I know it'll never happen, but I can dream...

There is hope, now that Mazda and Fiat will be joining forces to co-develop next gen MX5 Miata just like what happened to Subie and Toyota for the FRS/BRZ. Im sure the end product will live up to the Miata's reputation.

[Marrk]

--A lighter, better looking Miata would be interesting. Question: Why can't they build an N/A inline-4 for the Miata that will do more than 167 hp?

--If Honda would put rwd on just about anything, they could be in the game. Imagine what the RSX could have been with rwd and a lower roofline.

--Audi-Porsche-VW are up to something, but probably at another price point.

--I saw a Peugeot sports car in Beverly Hills the other day. It looked something like this --->> http://www.rsportscars.com/peugeot/2...-rc-z-concept/

I know it's a crappy world economy, but, aside from that, the time is ripe for a sports car renaissance.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by Marrk

--A lighter, better looking Miata would be interesting. Question: Why can't they build an N/A inline-4 for the Miata that will do more than 167 hp?

--If Honda would put rwd on just about anything, they could be in the game. Imagine what the RSX could have been with rwd and a lower roofline.

First item, yea I know right? Skyactiv seems to be putting them back in the game in most aspects of engine development, but they refuse to give their engines higher revs which is going to limit power. Hopefully they also figure out that 5 speed gearboxes are not acceptable anymore.

If the CRZ were mid engine RWD (coincidentally, cooling/engine in the back is a convenient way to cut pressure drag without extending the length of the car), I think it'd be worth a serious consideration, even with the nonsense 6500rpm redline and goofy front end. I wonder though, what is the maximum speed the electric motor can turn?

[WingsofWar]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

Well what is Fiat bringing to the table for Mazda? It sounds like nothing other than more money for building the chassis. If they gave it some Ferrari or Multiair technology, then that'd be something to be excited about! But it sounds like they will both use their own engines. Oh well, interesting info none-the-less.

Your predictions are pretty accurate i would say. Its clear to me that the Mazda/Fiat alliance is another business venture to share resources. Because Mazda is not willing to share half the DNA of the Miata with another group. and fiat is not interested in producing another vehicle. Awhile Mazda is hurting bad financially and Fiat is profiting on a global scale with its other business endeavors. Even making Chrysler a chunk of profit in a piss poor economy. Its evident that Fiat and Mazda are building the next gen Miata together only financially.

If Fiat is indeed interested in a shared platform for the next gen miata, Fiat is going to have an interesting time selling for the first time, a RWD roadster under their flag. Which could end up a disaster.

So those who are thinking SUBARU/TOYOTA = FIAT/MAZDA ..should stop. Those are completely different joint operations and its less likely that FIAT/MAZDA is going to co-develop a vehicle at a level beyond resource sharing.

so no MX5 that looks like a tiny ferrari or small masaratti..or something of that nature.