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Fresh details have emerged on the 2014 Mazda MX-5 and its sister car, the Alfa Romeo Spider. Although an agreement has been reached for Mazda to build the Alfa Romeo roadster on the next MX-5 platform, both cars will be offered with its own set of engines. Mazda plans to fit the upcoming MX-5 with a new naturally aspirated 1.6-litre SkyACTIV engine with an output of approximately 130bhp. Mazda is insistent that the new MX-5 will not go the force-fed route although there were turbocharged versions of previous generation MX-5. For the Spider, it will probably use Alfa's turbocharged 1.4-litre 'TB' engine rated at around 120bhp. The more powerful 1750 TBi may also be offered with output of up to 296bhp. Both cars will probably come fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard but a six-speed automatic with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters could also be offered. Mazda intends to keep the size of the new MX-5 the same as the original version. New material and design will aid in the weight reduction while meeting the current crash regulations. The Hiroshima-based automaker hopes to achieve a curb weight of just 800kg.

[extract] Back in November last year, Alfa Romeo (which is under the Fiat Group) is challenging, particularly at the Mazda MX-5, the rear wheel drive roadster market segment with a new generation Spider. But now it seems that things are going to change. The MX-5 will receive a sibling but it will not be a Mazda. Mazda Motor Corporation and Fiat Group Automobiles have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and manufacturing of a new roadster for both companies

[extract] The Alfa Romeo Spider, first released in the mid 1960s, lasted for almost three decades. It is one of Alfa Romeo