FIAT took the wraps off its new 124 Spider at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show in California, USA (November 17-29, 2015).
The engine produces 140ps and 240Nm in the 124 Spider and powers a rear-wheel-drive car for the first time in this application. The US version of the 124 Spider will feature 160ps. An Abarth version of the car with more than 200ps is expected after the car goes on sale in 2016.
The six-speed manual transmission that comes as standard has been specially adapted to deal with higher torque. The 1.4-liter MultiAir unit pictured here saw recent use in the Alfa Romeo Mito, paired up with the company’s six-speed twin-clutch gearbox.
FIAT says that its MultiAir induction system ensures responsive characteristics across the rev range while lowering fuel consumption under low or medium load, while the position of the engine nearer the centre of the car reduces yaw inertia and improves handling agility.
As well as changing the styling of the MX-5/Miata, FCA says that its engineers have paid particular attention to engine NVH, with specially-tuned engine mounts, carefully-engineered isolation of the transmission and differential as well as other measures to combat noise.
November 19, 2015