Not since the days of the Axis have people gotten so excited about a collaboration between the Italians and the Japanese. A new such collaboration was achieved officially and it’s better than before.
Fortunately for everybody, world domination isn’t really part of the discussion this time. It’s actually domination of the compact sports car segment.
That’s where the brilliant discussion between Mazda and Alfa Romeo results in the making of a new such car.
Fiat, Alfa Romeo’s overlord and Mazda, makers of the MX-5 both agreed on the deal but each wanted to have a certain influence on exactly what cars they would produce.
While both vehicles would be based on the platform which underpins the next generation of the Mazda MX-5, they would each have individual feeling.
Obviously the design used by these two cars will be radically different and we can expect the interiors to be molded out of different materials as well.
Judging by that idea I reckon we’re going to see a simple, refreshed Mazda MX-5 produced by the Japanese and a more luxurious and involving creation from Alfa Romeo.
Both cars will be made in Japan but we haven’t been told anything about the engine. This will, quite likely, not be shared.
On the Japanese side, we do get some extra information. The next generation of the Mazda MX-5 will lose another 220 pounds over the current version.
It will also come with a 1.3 liter turbocharged engine generating around 200 horsepower. As to be expected, a rear wheel drive platform and juicy manual transmission will be part of the package.
