This is it… The new FIAT 124 Spider. The moment we’ve been waiting literally years for. What could be better than a manual Miata with a 1.4L turbocharged engine and a FIAT badge? A manual Miata with a 1.4L turbocharged engine and a Alfa Romeo badge could, but that idea was flushed down the toilet a long time ago. So, we’ll have to settle for the former. In all seriousness, there aren’t many combinations of anything that are better than Japanese technology and Italian design. I wouldn’t have it any other way (specifically, not flipped).

Although there are rumors of an Abarth in the works, the 124 already carries the engine from the 500 Abarth, which produces 160 bhp and 184 ft lbs of torque at 2500 rpm for the little FIAT. This means that the 124 boasts a whopping 5 more bhp than its Japanese cousin. Also, the Italian convertible’s motor produces about 25% more torque than the Miata MX-5, which is slightly more impressive. Even though the 124 produces more power than the MX-5, it weighs in at 2436 pounds, nearly 100 more than the Miata. At the moment, there are two trims available, Classica and Lusso; the latter is the uppity, technologically advanced trim, while the former is slightly more modest. However, I’m sure we’ll love both.

The design team managed to sketch up a car that is a proper tribute to the old 124 while still producing a machine that matches design cues of the modern era. Specifically, one might say that the front end borrows some design aspects of its older step-brother, the Dodge Charger. Most importantly, the hood of the 124 is straight off of the old model. The two scoops are iconic to the 124 and the design team pulled it off well in the new revitalization of the model.

There hasn’t been any announcement regarding price, as of yet. The 124 will probably start around the MX-5’s starting price of $25,000. For a FIAT-Mazda collaboration, this doesn’t sound like a bad deal, whatsoever. From what we’ve seen, the 124 is an exciting new addition to the FIAT lineup… which is arguably something it drastically needs. The 124 Spider is sleek and sexy but still somehow looks slightly strange. Isn’t that the Italian way?