Skip to main content

2013 Detroit Auto Show: Mazda and Alfa Romeo team up to build roadster, make us all happy to be alive

Alfa Romeo C8 Spider
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We have a few automotive dreams. We’d like to see more true hybrid sports cars. We’d like to see some accessible off-roaders sold Stateside. We’d also love to see the return of the Alfa Romeo Spider.

To our shock and amazement, one of those dreams is actually going to be realized. Mazda and Alfa today announced that will team up to build an all-new open-top two-seater sports car.

Recommended Videos

Once you’ve stopped giggling with glee, we’ll give you the facts.

The new drop-top sports car will be based on the next generation Mazda MX-5. While each variant will have its own engines and styling, Mazda will build both versions in its Hiroshima plant in Japan for the global market. Both cars will be front-engined, rear-wheel drive, and undoubtedly offered exclusively with a manual transmission.

With this new agreement, Alfa aims to re-envision its popular Spider model. And Mazda simply aims to reinvigorate its MX-5.

The Mazda and Alfa say production won’t begin until 2015, so we’ve got time to daydream. But what a daydream it is. It’s almost painful to fathom how fantastic a Mazda-built 2016 Alfa Romeo Spider will be; the majesty of an Alfa convertible assembled by the fastidious Japanese. What could go wrong?

The two automakers have kept any further details secret like performance, pricing, or in which markets the two vehicles will be sold. As soon as we know more, however, you can be sure we’ll quick to bring them to you.

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
I sat in the Xiaomi SU7, here are 5 features that every car needs
Xiaomi SU7 Max SUV first look

I’ve spent almost two decades reviewing most facets of consumer technology, but I’ve never been a huge car guy. For many years, it represented a way to get from A to B, but electric cars have changed this.

The best electric cars solve many of my biggest complaints with a car, and some of the best cars are being made by brands I would never have expected. I’ve sat in Sony’s upcoming car, the AFEELA, and I love the immersive entertainment experience, but one of my primary concerns is the lack of a killer use case for many of these features.

Read more
Soon you’ll be able to enjoy Dolby Atmos Music in Cadillac EVs
A red Cadillac EV on a dark background with the Dolby and Cadillac emblems underneath.

Dolby Atmos is a pretty remarkable experience when heard within a properly tuned car cabin setup, as implemented by Rivian R1S and the Cadillac Optiq, in particular. Now, Dolby and Cadillac have announced that Atmos will be support across the entire line of Cadillac EVs -- which includes the Escalade IQL, Escalade IQ, Lyriq-V, Optiq (as we heard at CES), and Vistiq. Support will also extend into select 2025 models with an over-the-air update, although which are not a part of this announcement.

As we now seem to be spending more and more time in our cars (according to the Federal Highway Administration, Americans drive a staggering 3 trillion miles a year), having the best possible sound in our cars is even more desirable than in the past. As John Couling, Senior Vice President of Entertainment at Dolby Laboratories says, "Whether you are listening to music to pass the time on a long commute or sharing a special moment on a family road trip, music has the power to transform mundane moments into something remarkable." Chief Engineer at Cadillac, John Cockburn adds, "Together, [Cadillac and Dolby] are taking audio to new heights by ensuring the music experience stays true to the artist's original vision, delivering a sound experience that makes consumers feel like they are in the music studio with them."

Read more
This DJI kit launches drones from a car roof
DJI and BYD have teamed up to put a drone station on top of a car.

Drone specialist DJI has partnered with Chinese auto giant BYD to create Lingyuan ("Sprite Kite"), which puts a drone station on the top of a car.

At first glance, the idea looks a little goofy. Actually, it looks a little goofy at second glance, too. But trust us, this is for real. You can check it out in the video ad below:

Read more