2016 Fiat 124 Spider - Rendering

06/06/2015 - 18:00 Fiat 124 Spider, Fiat, Renderings Aravind Jayachandran

Based on the new Mazda MX-5 Roadster.

A rendering of the upcoming Fiat/Abarth 124 Spider has surfaced online, revealing what the highly anticipated Italian roadster could look like, following Fiat's latest design philosophy as well as drawing some cues from the original 70's model.

2016 Fiat 124 Spider front and rear three quarter rendering — The render borrows cues from new Fiat Aegea, 500X, and original 124 Spider.

In May 2012, Fiat Group (now Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) and Mazda had concocted a partnership to build roadsters together, which would be based on the new MX-5. Initially, it was confirmed that Alfa Romeo would build a spiritual successor to the Spider, which would feature a distinctive and iconic design combined with Mazda's next-generation MX-5 rear-wheel-drive architecture.

However, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne didn't like the idea of the Alfa Romeo Spider being built at Mazda's Hiroshima facility in Japan. He had made it clear that as long as he's in charge, Alfa Romeo will only build cars in Italy. So far, Alfa Romeo is reportedly developing the Spider, although this time it will be based on Project Grigio, a rear-wheel-drive platform that may also underpin the upcoming Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata front three quarters right at the 2014 Paris Motor Show — The rear-wheel-drive architecture to be borrowed from the Mazda MX-5 (pictured).

Despite that, FCA didn't break the partnership, and instead decided that Fiat-Abarth will build an MX-5-based roadster, which will serve as a spiritual successor to the popular 124 Spider. It has been confirmed for reveal later this year.

The 124 Spider will reportedly be lighter than 1000 kgs, and pack small displacement engines that send power through a manual gearbox to the rear wheels; perfect recipe for an enjoyable 2-door roadster. It could borrow the 1.4-liter MultiAir engines from the Giulietta, while a hotter Abarth version may feature the same engine, albeit tuned to produce over 200 hp.

Fiat 500 Abarth engine bay at Auto Expo 2014 — It could pack a 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo engine for standard and Abarth variant.

Also Read: 2016 Fiat 500 (facelift) changes leaked, debuts on July 11

Expect a reveal to take place either at the upcoming 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show or the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, followed by a market launch in the first half of 2016.

Fiat Aegea - Image Gallery (Unrelated)