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2019 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth will at least look and sound faster

Fiat is bringing a slew of new options and appearances to the 2019 124 Spider Abarth. It's nowhere near as comprehensive as the 2019 Mazda Miata MX-5 refresh, though, with an optional dual-mode exhaust and appearance customizability headlining the changes. Named the "Record Monza Exhaust," the $995 dual-mode pipes add noise, but not power. We're still dealing with the same 164 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque here. The exhaust changes tone with throttle application — so punch it if you want to hear the little 1.4-liter turbo-four growl. The loud mode, which is only available on the Abarth trim, completely bypasses the muffler, so expect a noise similar to the raucous soundtrack emanating from the 500 Abarth. Further Abarth changes for 2019 include the addition of an optional Veleno appearance package. This will net you a bunch of red-painted trim including the mirror caps, red lower fascia lip and front tow hook. Abarth-branded floormats and an aluminum footrest round out the Veleno package. All that gear will run you $495. If you don't opt for the Abarth, then Fiat will be happy to sell you a "Double Rally Stripe" on the Classica trim for 2019. The stripe can be ordered in either red or white, and will set you back $295. Pricing ticks up $300 for the Lusso trim, and is only stated as "under $30,000" for the Abarth so far — it currently stickers for $29,290.Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2019 Fiat 124 Spider Image Credit: Fiat Fiat Convertible Performance abarth 124 spider

Alfa Romeo takes Spider in-house, Mazda-Fiat roadster partnership not dead

It's officially off. Following a report in March of this year that the marriage of Mazda and Alfa Romeo to produce a MX-5-based Spider was in trouble, the Italians have confirmed that it will take development in-house. "As far as the Spider goes, the final version is of course no longer the two-seater FCA co-developed with Mazda but a derivative of Project Giorgio," Maserati and Alfa Romeo brand boss Harald Wester told Car. For those not in the know, Project Giorgio is Alfa's codename for the rear-drive platform that will underpin the next-generation Spider, not to mention the replacement for the 159 sedan and a few other products. All is not lost for the Japanese-Italian partnership, though. "The Far East import will probably find a new home with Fiat-Abarth," Wester told Car. Yes, you read that correctly, Mazda is still working with FCA, and the result will eventually end up with Abarth's scorpion badge. If anything, we're more excited over this news than the idea of an Alfa MX-5. But we want to know what you think – would you rather Alfa build a new Spider on the Miata's bones, or does an MX-5 Abarth sound like more fun? Have your say in Comments.

Volkswagen is not cool with a Fiat Chrysler merger

Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller shot down Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne's overtures for a merger in blunt fashion this week. Mueller told Reuters at the Geneva Motor Show, "We are not ready for talks about anything ... we have other problems. I haven't seen Marchionne for months." The unusually candid – and icy – response from one chief executive to another comes after Marchionne similarly pursued General Motors (again) this week. The FCA boss suggested GM might be looking for a new European partner as it prepares to unload its troubled Opel and Vauxhall divisions to PSA. A GM spokesman told USA Today that the company is not interested. Marchionne has been openly suggesting a GM merger since at least 2015, despite GM never reciprocating interest. VW's "other problems," as Mueller notes, include legal proceedings, fines, recalls, and other issues related to its long-running diesel scandal. Marchionne has long sought industry consolidation, arguing that automakers don't get a proper return on their investments in technologies, some of which are relatively similar. He's suggested sharing chassis and powertrain components could be a benefit to the collective auto sector. Skeptics argue FCA, which is smaller than GM, VW, Toyota, and others, needs a partner to survive, while its rivals already have the necessary scale to remain competitive. Related Video: