The month’s show stars

New Fiat Spider, Subaru’s teaser, and Volvo preview

Star of the Show at Los Angeles in November was the new Fiat 124 Spider (below). It brings back the name of Italy’s MGB almost half a century after the original was launched – only this time Fiat has turned to the Japanese for help.

Yes, the styling is unique to Fiat – check out the twin humps in the bonnet, the faceted surfaces of the bootlid and rear wingtops, and the shoulder-line that kicks up over the rear haunches, all in clear reference to the old 124 – and it’s powered by the company’s own turbocharged 1.4-litre engine too, but the new Spider shares its structure, its windscreen, fabric roof and (somewhat disappointingly) its interior with Mazda’s recently launched – and much-lauded – MX-5.

Of more interest is the potential for a much hotter Abarth version, a styling mock-up of which was spied on a recent trip to see Abarth’s newly launched Officine Classiche facility (see page 22). That promises more power, a hardtop – and, rumour has it, a planned entry in the World Rally Championship too. We’ll see.

Also at LA, Subaru displayed its Impreza Sedan Concept (bottom left). It gives us hope that there’s still a desire out there for a rally-bred turbo-nutter saloon. As for the official line, it’s a ‘design concept car previewing the next-generation Impreza, which is to be the first of Subaru’s next-generation strategic vehicles.’ Oh well.

And soon to arrive from Sweden is the Volvo S90, the first luxury saloon since the firm’s takeover by Geely. It shares its platform with the XC90 SUV and promises a luxurious interior.