Following Alfa Romeo's long-awaited return to North America, the Italian brand has tapped Mazda Motor Corp. to co-develop and build a next-generation roadster based on the next MX-5 Miata.
Proud owners of the original Alfa Romeo Duetto and Spider two-seat convertibles often praise the heavy dose of passion and excitement experienced when sitting behind the wheel of the Italian redheads. However, the sports cars might as well be named Alfa Romeo "Heartache," as spotty reliability from temperamental mechanicals are known to find ways to ruin the moment.
In contrast, Mazda has been recognized for successfully combining Japanese dependability with a rewarding European sports car experience ever since the Japanese automaker first introduced its Miata in 1989.
Acknowledging the significance of Mazda's achievement, parent company Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said, "This agreement clearly demonstrates our commitment to Alfa Romeo and the determination to grow it into a truly global brand. By partnering with Mazda, we will be co-operating with the recognized leader in compact rear-drive vehicle architectures in order to deliver an exciting and stylish roadster in the Alfa Romeo tradition."
Despite a shared platform, the two companies promise differentiation between their respective vehicles by inputing distinct design elements as well as proprietary engines. In any case, the new Alfa Romeo is expected to be built alongside the MX-5 Miata at Mazda's Hiroshima plant.
If all goes according to plan, the new Alfa is expected to debut for 2015. For now, the automakers will get together to sign a final agreement later this year. Although details of the agreement are limited, the two brands acknowledged possibilities of "further opportunities for co-operation in Europe."
