Extreme Abarth 124 Spider...The Answer but with more power?

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/fiat/92230/extreme-abarth-124-spider-to-join-comfortable-fiat-version

"As for what will power the Abarth roadster, a detuned version of the Alfa Romeo 4C’s 237bhp 1.75-litre turbocharged engine is the current front runner, producing around 200bhp. In a car that’s unlikely to be heavier than a tonne, that’s enough for an identical power-to-weight ratio to the Porsche Boxster GTS, so a 0-62mph sprint time of around five seconds flat is feasible."

I've never been a convertible fan, but maybe it's almost time?

I like it.. but hate the name. Couldn't they have just called it the "Fiat Spider"?

I know it makes me sound old, but the numbers on most cars either meant engine size (bmw) or chassis code (fiat and Porsche) they were not just made up numbers that sounded good. I wish marketing would get on with it and give this car it's own deserved name

Was there any talk of the Chrysler getting to use the platform? A 3.6L pentastar in that thing would melt my pants off.

With a new well equipped Miata going for upper 20s to lower 30s this car could possibly push to $40K or beyond. Still pretty cool though.

I'll believe it when I see it. If I see it I'll order it.

Somehow the idea of and Italian Miata wakes my avarice. Even if they just slap a turbo on the Mazda engine.

RossD wrote: Was there any talk of the Chrysler getting to use the platform? A 3.6L pentastar in that thing would melt my pants off.

Don't hold your breath; this was an Alfa/Mazda project that got spun off to Fiat when Sergio took Alfa in the nationalistic direction. I don't think the Pentastar would even fit, and it'd probably ruin the balance if it did.

This could be one hell of a fun car.

In reply to SlickDizzy:

You're probably right on it never happening. Not sure of the fit part, but the ol' "ruin the balance"? I mean, come on? Have you learned nothing about stuffing LS V8s into Miatas a la Keith and Flyin Miata?!?!? I don't think his Targa car has a balance issue...

In reply to RossD:

The Pentastar is a significantly larger (height and width) and heavier (by ~75lb) engine than the LS-series. Kind of an apples to oranges comparison...

Yeah ppl put too much emphasis on "balance" fact is, an in balanced car has an advantage in some way. Look at the viper. HP and TQ win straight way drags.

In reply to Trackmouse:

Umm...you know that the Viper has almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution, right?

In reply to SlickDizzy:

Do you have any sources for the 75 lbs? Just wondering, not arguing. I'm just not seeing that. Maybe about the same weight due to pushrod/DOHC, 90°/60° and V8/V6.

Allpar said: The block weighs just 77 lb (not much more than the four-cylinder 2.4). The crankshaft weighs 43 lb; the cylinder heads, 27 (bare). With valves, the heads weigh around 31 lb.

That's up to 182 lbs without pistons, rods, and probably oil pan, pump, filter assembly, four cams...etc

Elsewhere they state it's 503 mm long and the bare block weighs 20 lbs less than a GM V6 (which one?).

Just wading through internet facts...

In reply to RossD:

Naturally I had to look and look and look, now I can't find the page I was on before...but I saw somewhere in the realm of 500lbs+ fully dressed. It's supposed to be 94lbs lighter than the old 3.7, which I also cannot find a weight for.

I think packaging would by far be the hardest part, half the reason the LS fits so well is because it doesn't have massive DOHC heads and that 90-deg vee angle dramatically lowers the overall height. 60-deg vee angle and DOHC heads makes for a MUCH taller engine.