Duke wrote:
alfadriver wrote:
DeadSkunk wrote:
Next year all MX-5 will have it to serve as the backup camera display required by law for 2017 models anyway.
been through this before, but they could put that into the rear view mirror. Better spot for many reasons.
So you can replace the mirror with... an *electronic* mirror. #duh #regulations
Come on, you must have used a rear view camera by now. You can see so much more than with a mirror, and in this country where people for some unknown reason refuse to back into parking spots it's way way safer when backing out of parking spots to be able to see properly.
I don't get the hate for these screens. They are becoming more and more common, I'd bet just about all smaller vehicles will have one sticking up out of the dash within a couple of years. LArger vehicles with more realestate on the dash will incorporate them without as much of a tablet look, but there sure are benefits to having the information high up so you can glance at it without looking down. Customers want big screens, lot's of in car options, nave, phone mirroring, radio/ipod information to hand. Don't worry, we can black out the widnshield in the next generation and put it all where you used to look out of the car before full autonomous came along!
BAck to the Abarth. The standard US version gets 160hp to the Abarth's 170. I see a unique lower front facia, unique wheels, different rear bumper and quad outlet exhausts (ugh, that can easily be fixed I hope for a sinle outlet) Inside unique seat stitching, wheel stitching, alcantara accross the dash etc. So at least visually quite a lot changes. I think the new front and rear help the look of the car. I'm very excited, especially if it comes out close to $30K rather than $35K+ as I fear.
ultraclyde wrote:
I think the street version is dead sexy. In that promo photo I like it better than the new Otter, mainly I think because of the headlights. The larger headlights on this seem a better fit to the body lines in my eye. The headlights and grill on the Otter look like they were compressed downward.
Of course, I could be biased because they copied the grill structure from the S197 Mustangs.
I've seen some Fiat mules running around in camo, and the air intakes are dramatically high. The proportions were odd. It'll be interesting to see what they actually look like in person.
BTW, rear cameras in the mirror means a very small image. If I'm going to have a backup cam, I'd prefer it on a 6" screen instead of a 2.5" insert in the mirror.
Sure, 99% of customers might prefer the factory turbo. But that still leaves 1% for us, and that's a workable number 
The Mazdaspeed Miata did well for us in hop-up parts, but it sure didn't kill the market for aftermarket turbos. It's becoming more and more popular to do an FM II conversion on one, which basically deletes everything that makes a Mazdaspeed different from a powerplant standpoint.
I am looking forward to seeing how this all shakes out. I usually make my final judgements based on the actual vehicle. The forced induction kit we're working on for the ND will have a different feel than the Fiat turbo, one that I think will suit the nature of the car quite well. Options are good.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
New shop. 'Flyin-Fiat'
Jerry
SuperDork
3/1/16 12:30 p.m.
This has been blowing up on all my Fiat/Abarth Facebook pages today. So much like.
ultraclyde wrote:
Of course, I could be biased because they copied the grill structure from the S197 Mustangs.
You might be very wrong.. I am going to say that the S197 is a copy of the original 124's grill structure.
Duke wrote:
alfadriver wrote:
DeadSkunk wrote:
Next year all MX-5 will have it to serve as the backup camera display required by law for 2017 models anyway.
been through this before, but they could put that into the rear view mirror. Better spot for many reasons.
So you can replace the mirror with... an *electronic* mirror. #duh #regulations
I sure hope you don't use those mirror items that improve your visibility.
Otherwise, I don't see the harm in adding tech that improves your ability to see backward. As a matter of fact, I REALLY love the back up camera, especially the ones in rear view mirrors.
I think backup cameras are not bad tech.. I even like those ones that allow you to inch out by peeking around the corner so you can see what is coming before you can physically see it for yourself
Adrian_Thompson wrote:
In reply to Keith Tanner:
New shop. 'Flyin-Fiat'
Hmm, what do you suppose would happen if I typed flyinfiat.com into a browser window...
Although personally I prefer Spider Volante.
mad_machine wrote:
I think backup cameras are not bad tech.. I even like those ones that allow you to inch out by peeking around the corner so you can see what is coming before you can physically see it for yourself
i agree, although i see less purpose for them on small vehicles like a miata but they are still nice, i know i wouldnt mind one on my ext. cab long bed...
In my NC with a fabric top, the rearward visibility is hilariously bad when the top is up.
The sound makes it worth it over the Miata.
I would love a screen that used a camera in place of my current rear view mirror. Something that made the c-pillars and passengers heads appear to disappear.
So,,,,who ends up making a swap kit for putting a Fiat 500 Abarth engine in an NA or NB? Just for the exhaust sound, of course.
Keith Tanner wrote:
Adrian_Thompson wrote:
In reply to Keith Tanner:
New shop. 'Flyin-Fiat'
Hmm, what do you suppose would happen if I typed flyinfiat.com into a browser window.
Probably some kind of porn.
Just for that, I'm going to put in a redirect tied to your IP address.
JoeTR6
Reader
3/1/16 4:01 p.m.
I can't decide if I like the Fiata better than the ND. I'd probably buy an ND today if given the choice, but that choice is at least two years off for me. Unless my MSM blows up. If just the turbo blows up, then I'm giving Keith a call.
Adrian_Thompson wrote:
BAck to the Abarth. The standard US version gets 160hp to the Abarth's 170. I see a unique lower front facia, unique wheels, different rear bumper and quad outlet exhausts (ugh, that can easily be fixed I hope for a sinle outlet) Inside unique seat stitching, wheel stitching, alcantara accross the dash etc. So at least visually quite a lot changes. I think the new front and rear help the look of the car. I'm very excited, especially if it comes out close to $30K rather than $35K+ as I fear.
If it is anything like the 500, the entire exhaust is v-band clamped together....yea, nice touch there that was obviously tossing us a bone for super simple changes to it. It's from the turbo outlet all the way back. 
Jerry wrote:
This has been blowing up on all my Fiat/Abarth Facebook pages today. So much like.
Those actually exist?!? Haven't found one yet on there.
Adrian_Thompson wrote:
Forget it for this country. Rally America will not allow fiberglass tops. Steel or nothing. NASA and others will allow fiberglass though.
I was thinking of a track legal rollbar with a hard top, too.
That thing should be sponsored by McDonald's
All day everyday and twice on Sunday over the Miata.
I wonder what people would be saying if the Fiat came out first. Then, a year later, the ND Miata breaks cover and is 150-200 lbs lighter, has a higher redline, a modern sleek body and costs 15-20% less.
Am I the only one scratching my head over the performance version gaining a paltry 10 hp over the regular model? Modern top tier performance models usually gain at least 20% power over lesser versions. What gives?
Keith Tanner wrote:
I wonder what people would be saying if the Fiat came out first. Then, a year later, the ND Miata breaks cover and is 150-200 lbs lighter, has a higher redline, a modern sleek body and costs 15-20% less.
I would still say the same thing.
I wanted a Solstice in the worst way, but the Sky did absolutely nothing for me. I much preferred a Grand Prix over any of the other G-bodies. I'll take a GMC Sierra over any Silverado. A Trans-AM still makes my head turn and my heart skip a beat, Z/28 makes me yawn.
My preferences have always gone to the better looking, more costly and usually heavier twin under the skin.
