We don't know why nobody thought of doing this rendering until now. Mazda blew the roof off the New York Auto Show when it revealed the hardtop version of the MX-5. As you are all aware, it's not a regular convertible with a hardtop, like the BMW 4 Series. Instead, they used a flashback design that's made everybody fall in love with the car.
The Fiat-Chrysler Alliance and Mazda signed a deal a few years ago, giving the Italians access to the ND platform. They've already used it to make the 124 Spyder and the Abarth version. However, we won't be happy until they sell a version of the RF too.
Fiat has done one interesting thing with the Miata chassis; they added a turbocharged engine, something Mazda has never done. That also implies a bit of extra weight. The new retractable roof is also heavier than the cloth ones, though Mazda won't say by much. So at the end of the day, the "Fiat 124 Targa" will be noticeably heavier than a regular MX-5.
All the work those Japanese engineers put into making a super-lightweight Skyactiv chassis will go to waste. Is it worth it? For a rear-wheel-drive Fiat with a Targa roof, it most certainly is.
There have been a few Fiat models with Targa tops, such as the sexy X1/9 by Bertone or the 128 Moretti Targa.
Right, about the rendering. Its's made by X-Tomi Design from Hungary. His job was to take the profile of the 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF and add the features of the Fiat sister car. These include larger rounded headlights, a slightly longer rear, and side sills. We don't particularly like the car in white, but as long as Fiat decides to make one, we'll be happy. Oh, and the video at the bottom should give you an idea of what all the fuss is about.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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