French and Italian-U.S. auto giants Renault and Fiat Chrysler are set to announce talks on an alliance, with a view to a potential merger, informed sources said this week.Marco Bertorello / AFP/Getty Images PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have agreed to combine to create the worlds fourth-biggest carmaker, as the manufacturers prepare to shoulder the costly investments in new technologies transforming the industry.In the biggest auto tie-up since Daimlers ill-fated purchase of Chrysler in 1998, the French and Italo-American carmakers will each own half of the enlarged business.The new company, with global sales of 8.7 million vehicles, will be run by PSA Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares, with Fiat Chairman John Elkann holding the same role.The transaction would forge a regional powerhouse to rival Germanys Volkswagen and, with a market value of about US$47 billion, surpassing Ford. It will take as long as 15 months to complete, pending approvals by shareholders of both companies and by regulators, the carmakers estimated.Like executives across the industry, Tavares and Elkann are responding to growing pressure to pool resources for product development, manufacturing and purchasing in the face of trade wars and an expensive shift toward electric and self-driving technology.(Indeed, industry sources said that in the future, the new company plans to move “more than two-thirds” of production to “just two platforms, with 3 million cars per year on a compact/midsize platform and 2.6 million on a small platform,” reports Automotive News. “The smaller platform will be PSA’s CMP architecture and larger cars will be on the group’s EMP2 (while) Ram pickups and larger Jeep models will continue to use FCA underpinnings.” —Ed.)The challenges of our industry are really, really significant, Tavares, 61, told reporters on a call Wednesday. The green deal, autonomous vehicles, connectivity and all those topics need significant resources, strengths, skills and expertise.In an era when size is becoming ever more important, the deal will turn the two mid-sized carmakers into a global heavyweight, with a stable of popular brands and annual vehicle sales surpassing General Motors. The combination will give Peugeot-maker PSA a long-sought presence in North America and should help Fiat gain ground in developing low-emission technology, where its lagged rivals. Yet the new company will still be heavily reliant on Europes sluggish and saturated auto market, and poorly positioned in China, the worlds largest country for car sales.The companies are aiming to extract 3.7 billion euros in annual synergies from the deal, without closing any plants, unchanged from the target they announced when they disclosed their merger discussions. Chinas Dongfeng Motor Corp., which owns 12 per cent of PSA, will see its stake in the combined company decline to 4.5 per cent as a result of the deal and the sale of a portion of its holding to the French carmaker.Dongfengs stake in PSA has attracted attention because of the possibility it could interfere with U.S. regulatory approval. U.S. economic adviser Larry Kudlow said last month the Trump administration would review the proposed merger because the deal would give the Chinese carmaker a stake in the combined
Origin: Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot confirm merger into one US$46-billion automaker
Fiat
Merger confirmed for PSA and Fiat Chrysler groups
Merger confirmed for PSA and Fiat Chrysler groups The deal will create the fourth largest car maker in the world The PSA Group and FCA have agreed to merge in a deal worth £39 billion, which will create the fourth largest car manufacturing group in the world. Having been in discussions for the past six weeks, the two companies have confirmed a full merger, which will see global sales of around 8.7 million vehicles. The deal is set to be completed in the next year or so. A name for the new group is yet to be decided upon, though current PSA boss Carlos Tavares will become CEO of the group. The deal is expected to see annual cost savings of more than £3 billion due to increased purchasing power, shared development costs, and platform, technology, and powertrain sharing. The PSA Group accounts for the Peugeot, Citroen, DS Automobiles, and Opel/Vauxhall brands. These will join the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group brands which include Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Maserati, Lancia, and Dodge. Both manufacturing groups have previously announced wide-reaching electrification plans, with the PSA Group on the cusp of a large-scale launch of electric vehicles in the UK and Europe. The Peugeot e-208, Vauxhall Corsa-e, and DS 3 Crossback E-Tense are all available to order with deliveries starting soon, and there are other pure electric models on their way. These are supported by a similarly wide-reaching set of PHEVs, including saloon, estate, and SUV models. The FCA Group has a number of plans in place, though is further away from launching electric models. A pure-electric Fiat 500 has previously been confirmed, and is expected to remain in the pipeline even with the new deal. Likewise, plants in Italy are already being converted to allow the production of electric cars, and the merger is only likely to speed up FCA’s brands in bringing EVs to market. The PSA Group is large in Europe, but has relatively limited reach elsewhere in the world. Likely to have been of great appeal to the French-based firm is FCA’s extensive reach in North American markets, while the likes of FCA’s Fiat, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo will likely benefit from shared developments from PSA.
Origin: Merger confirmed for PSA and Fiat Chrysler groups
New Fiat 500e: electric city car seen inside and out in new shots
Fiat’s all-new, all-electric Fiat 500 city car has been caught testing again ahead of its expected 2020 Geneva motor show debut. The new prototypes, clearly based on the outgoing model, don’t reveal much about the new car’s exterior. They do, however, offer the briefest of glimpses into the car’s cabin. We can see the Mini Electric rival’s dashboard has been completely overhauled, with new instruments and a large central infotainment screen visible. A new rotary gear selector also features, mounted on a plinth below the centre console and surrounded by buttons. Earlier this year Fiat said it would invest 700 million Euros on the electric city car, to include a new production line in Mirafiori, Italy. Fiat hopes to produce 80,000 examples of the new 500e. The car will be sold alongside the existing 500, which will continue to be powered by conventional petrol engines as well as receiving styling and technical updates. The all-new electric 500 will sit on a bespoke electric car platform, according to Fiat boss Olivier Francois, with the same platform potentially earmarked for use if the the new Panda-inspired Centoventi concept makes production. The electric 500 will be a key part of Fiat’s transformation in Europe into a brand focusing on small electrified city cars. “The car will stay true to everything you know about the 500, but will be entirely new,” said Francois. “Under the skin it will be radically different, but otherwise you will recognise the size and proportions. “But it is a big statement, starting our electric path with the 500. We are doing it with that car for reasons of pricing. It is clear that we cannot sell an electric 500 for the same entry price of today’s 500, but what’s clear is that more than half of our 500 customers today do not buy entry-level models. In fact, for them a 24,000 euro price is normal today. “If you look at our electric competition, they are priced around 32,000 euros. The leap then from 24,000 to 32,000 is not so much, especially if you factor in government grants for electric vehicles. Francois refused to be drawn on whether the electric 500 could be rear-wheel drive like the original, but said he would be open to the idea. He also said that an electric Abarth model could hold appeal. The electric car platform that the 500e will sit on will be FCA Group developed. Francois said he would personally be open to sharing the technology with partners – the 500 platform has previously been shared with the Ford Ka, for instance, but he stressed that any such decision would have to be made at a Group level. Fiat also confirmed the 500 lineup will be expanded with a 500 Giardiniera estate, although the firm didn’t say if that version would also appear at next year’s Geneva show. The aim is to consolidate the brand’s dominance of the city car segment – the 500 and Panda hold a third of this market – while developing technologies that allow these models to satisfy emission regulations. The 500 Giardiniera, which references the tiny wagon of 1960, will offer the best space efficiency in its class, says Fiat, and “unmistakable design”. It too will get electric and mild hybrid variants. The 500’s new platform architecture can also cope with a mild hybrid system. That unit consists of a belt driven, 12V starter-generator, although little detail has been provided on the electric drivetrain to be used in the 500. Lower-emissions petrol engines will also be offered in the 500 and Panda. Francois conceded that the decision to develop the electric cars was driven “both by the desire to create a profitable electric car for our future, and to ensure we avoid the pressures of potential fines if we don’t hit CO2 targets.” Given the limited space for batteries and the 500’s urban appeal, range of the 500e is likely to be less than EVs such as the Nissan Leaf, which offers around 250 miles. The 500e will be a rival to a growing number of small EVs – Mini’s first series-production electric car is due in 2019, at the same time as the Honda Urban EV. The 500e will be one of four electric powertrains offered by FCA. It will sit use a ‘City Car’ powertrain, while a ‘Mainstream’ powertrain will be launched in the Jeep Grand Commander. A ‘Performance’ powertrain will feature in the 2020 Maserati Alfieri and a ‘Premium’ EV powertrain will power the 2022 Maserati Quattroporte. The push for electrification comes amid Fiat Chrysler’s abandonment of diesel; by 2022, there will be no diesel options in the FCA catalogue. These will be replaced by numerous hybrids, both full and plug-in, the first of which will be the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, landing in 2020. The production capacity released by the deletion of the Punto and other unspecified Fiat models – such as Tipo – will be used to build more Alfa Romeos and Maseratis, whose premium prices can withstand the electrification costs. Some Italian capacity will be used to build some plug-in hybrid models, including
Origin: New Fiat 500e: electric city car seen inside and out in new shots
More than 10,600 Fiat 500s recalled in Canada over rollaway risk
The 2018 Fiat 500 Spiaggina 58, a limited-edition retro-inspired convertible. Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 10,600 older Fiat 500 cars in Canada over a transmission issue that could pose a rollaway risk.Some 10,627 cars from model-year 2012 and 2013 are part of the campaign, which covers a total 72,761 cars globally.On affected vehicles, shift cable bushings could degrade prematurely due to heat and humidity, separating the shift cable from the transmission and keep it from shifting into the selected gear; that means in PARK, the vehicle could roll away.In fact, FCA is aware of three minor accidents potentially related to the issue, though none resulted in any injury. Customers should be wary if they notice loose shifter movement, but as a precaution should always select the parking brake
Origin: More than 10,600 Fiat 500s recalled in Canada over rollaway risk
GM sues Fiat Chrysler, alleging corruption undermined its UAW deals
Then-FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne, left, is seen with Jeep brand President and CEO Mike Manley at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant, in Detroit in 2010.Carlos Osorio / The Associated Press General Motors hit Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with a blockbuster racketeering lawsuit November 20, alleging bribery and corruption that has sent union and company leaders to jail ultimately cost GM billions of dollars by tainting labor contracts as far back as 2009.GM filed suit in federal court in Michigan on Wednesday seeking to recoup unspecified damages from its rival, which has in the past denied being aware three former executives conspired with United Auto Workers officials to undermine labor law.GM strikes at the heart of that defense, alleging the late Fiat Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne himself authorized bribes with the ultimate aim of weakening a competitor and forcing a merger.Fiat Chrysler said its astonished by the suit and speculated that GM may be trying to undercut a planned merger with Frances PSA Group and active negotiations with the UAW over a new labor contract. We intend to vigorously defend against this meritless lawsuit and pursue all legal remedies in response to it, the company said in an emailed statement. GM alleges Marchionne, who died last year, and the former company officials corrupted the collective bargaining process between the UAW and Detroits three automakers in 2009, 2011 and 2015. That resulted in unfairly high labor costs for GM, putting the company at a competitive disadvantage, Craig Glidden, the automakers general counsel, told reporters during a briefing at the companys Detroit headquarters.The multi-year bribery scheme FCA led undermined the integrity of the collective bargaining process and caused GM substantial damages, Glidden said, referring to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The attempted merger with PSA has no bearing on GMs complaint, he said.Competitive EdgeThe suit targets Fiat Chrysler and former company officials who pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison for their roles in the corruption scandal, including Al Iacobelli, who had served as vice president and lead UAW negotiator.Competitive advantages provided to Fiat Chrysler but denied to GM included a higher portion of lower-paid workers, a streamlined grievance process and looser limits on use of temporary employees, according to GM.‘Fat, Dumb and Happy’Federal prosecutors have said Fiat Chrysler executives provided gifts aimed at keeping union officials fat, dumb and happy as part of a widening probe that dates back at least two years. Earlier this month, UAW President Gary Jones took an indefinite leave of absence after reports tied him to the scandal. Federal agents raided his Detroit-area home in August.Jones has not been charged in the case, and the UAW has said previously he was not involved in any wrongdoing.Iacobelli, who unexpectedly left Fiat Chrysler in June 2015 just before the start of UAW contract talks, has said that while serving as the automakers head of labor relations, he helped funnel $1.5 million from a worker training center to union officials, who spent the money on lavish gifts for themselves including jewelry and designer clothing.Shortly after Iacobelli pleaded guilty early last year, the UAWs then-president, Williams, denied the negotiations with Fiat Chrysler had been influenced by the diversion of
Origin: GM sues Fiat Chrysler, alleging corruption undermined its UAW deals
Peugeot board approves Fiat Chrysler merger plans, says report
PSA Peugeot Citroen Chief Executive Carlos Tavares delivers a speech during the presentation of the companys 2018 full year results, in Rueil Malmaison, west of Paris, Tuesday, February 26, 2019.Thibault Camus / Getty The board of French carmaker PSA Group has approved a plan to merge with Italian-American rival Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, a combination that would create one of the worlds largest auto manufacturers, according to people familiar with the matter.The new board would be made up of 11 members, with six from the PSA side including Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares, who will lead the new company. Fiat Chairman John Elkann would take the same role at the enlarged group.Fiat Chryslers directors are scheduled to meet later Wednesday to discuss the proposal, the people said. The plan authorized by PSAs board calls for negotiations of a binding memorandum of understanding that could last several weeks, said one of the people. A representative for PSA, the maker of Peugeot and Citroen cars, declined to comment. A Fiat spokesman wasnt immediately available to comment.A merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA, the No. 2 for car sales in Europe, would create a regional powerhouse to rival Volkswagen, with a stock-market value of about US$49 billion comparable to Japans Honda. The tie-up would also bring together two auto-making dynasties, the billionaire Agnelli clan in Italy and the Peugeot family of France.The merger plan comes several months after Fiat Chrysler and PSA explored a partnership on pooling investment to build cars in Europe, and following the collapse in June of negotiations between the Fiat and French competitor Renault SA.Automakers face tremendous pressure to pool their resources for platform development, manufacturing and purchasing as they battle through trade wars, a global slowdown and an expensive shift toward electrification and autonomous driving. Producers face the additional burden in Europe of new rules on emissions.Against this backdrop, the pace of dealmaking has picked up. Volkswagen in July said it will work with Ford on electric and self-driving car technology, while Toyota is strengthening ties with partners such as Subaru and Chinas BYD. The Indian conglomerate that owns Jaguar Land Rover has said its open to finding partners for the British automaker but isnt planning on selling the embattled unit.Tavares has sought to re-establish Peugeots foothold in the U.S., a market it exited in 1991. He set plans earlier this year for a return, with shipments starting from Europe or China in 2026.Fiat Chrysler is seen as a laggard in new technologies such as electrification and autonomy, which are expected to cost automakers billions of dollars over the next decade.The company has sought to secure its future with a larger partner for several years, dating back to late CEO Sergio Marchionnes failed courtship of General Motors. After being rebuffed by GM in 2015, rumors of talks with other automakers have swirled with varying
Origin: Peugeot board approves Fiat Chrysler merger plans, says report
BREAKING: PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler confirm merger plans
The PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have confirmed plans to merge on a 50/50 basis, firming up yesterday’s news that the two companies were in discussions regarding such a move. Both firms said today that the discussions would be finalised “in the coming weeks” to reach a binding Memorandum of Understanding, which will create one of the world’s largest automotive groups. They added that the “combined entity would leverage its strong global RD footprint and ecosystem to foster innovation and meet these challenges with speed and capital efficiency”. The likely merger will create a car giant worth around £40 billion and encompass some of the world’s biggest car brands. FCA owns Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Ram, Lancia and Chrysler, while the PSA stable includes Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Vauxhall-Opel. The deal would create the fourth largest car manufacturer globally in terms of annual sales, at 8.7m vehicles, behind Volkswagen Group, Toyota and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, as well as revenues of €170bn (£147bn) and recurring operating profit of over €11bn (£9.5bn). Today’s announcement also stated there are estimated synergies of €3.7bn (£3.14bn) synergies annually “without any plant closures resulting from the transaction”. This would come from a more efficient allocation of resources for major investments in vehicle platforms, powertrain and technology as well as purchasing power. The two firms projected that 80% of the synergies would be achieved after four years. The shareholders of FCA and PSA will each take a 50 per cent stake in a new Dutch parent company, under the proposals, with the governance structure balanced between the two firms. There would be 11 board members, with five nominated by FCA and five by PSA. Current FCA chairman John Elkann will become the chairman of the new firm, while PSA group boss Carlos Tavares would become the CEO, standing on an initial five-year term. PSA Group chief Carlos Tavares is famous for cutting costs – for example, turning Vauxhall into profit in under 12 months of taking ownership – and PSA and FCA claimed the merger would make “among the highest margins in the markets where it would operate,” based on FCA’s strength in the Americas and PSA Group’s in Europe. As well as broadening the global reach of both firms, the merger will also mean the new entity will comprehensively cover all areas of the market including luxury, premium, volume, trucks and light commercial vehicles. PSA Group boss Carlos Tavares said: “This convergence brings significant value to all the stakeholders and opens a bright future for the combined entity. I’m pleased with the work already done with Mike and will be very happy to work with him to build a great company together.” FCA chief Mike Manley said: “I’m delighted by the opportunity to work with Carlos and his team on this potentially industry-changing combination. We have a long history of successful cooperation with Groupe PSA and I am convinced that together with our great people we can create a world class global mobility company.” FCA has already been in the news this year regarding mergers. It held extended talks with Group Renault over a possible partnership but those talks broke down after the two firms could not reach an agreement, thought to be hampered by Renault’s alliance with Nissan and the French government. Tavares led the purchase of Vauxhall-Opel and has been keen to expand the firm for some time, either through partnership or further acquisition. PSA is understood to have previously looked at buying Jaguar Land
Origin: BREAKING: PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler confirm merger plans
Fiat Chrysler reportedly looking at a merger with Peugeot
Peugeot e-Legend ConceptPeugeot Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is considering a merger with European conglomerate PSA, the group that owns Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal breaking late October.If the deal goes through, it could create a US$50-billion global Goliath of a company, with Peugeot CEO Carlos Tavares at the helm of the joint venture, says the Journal.FCA chairman John Elkmann would continue in his current role after the merger.Tavares is, among other things, credited with saving Opel from the dustbin. PSA purchased the brand from General Motors back in 2017, and the exec got Opel to turn a profit just 18 months later. PSA is hoping to break back into the U.S. markets, where it hasnt sold a car in more than 20 years. Its unclear how brand operations would be structured after the merger.FCA had previously tried to merge with another French car company, Renault, at the beginning of 2019. That deal would have seen FCA take over a 50-per-cent stake in that company, but instead, the deal fell apart when the French government, which has a 15-per-cent stake in Renault, got between the two automakers.Even before FCA courted Renault, PSA had originally talked about a merger with the Italian-American carmaker, but FCA rebuffed it; at the time, Fiat Chrysler execs felt as if a merger wouldnt solve any of its money problems in the weakening European market.PSA and Fiat Chrysler already build commercial vans together as a joint-venture; the products of that partnership include the Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroen
Origin: Fiat Chrysler reportedly looking at a merger with Peugeot
PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler confirm merger talks
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is holding merger talks with the PSA Group that would create one of the world’s biggest car groups. The Financial Times has reported that the two firms have been in talks for several months over a merger. Both companies have now confirmed the talks. PSA issued a statement that said: “Following recent reports on a possible business combination between Groupe PSA and FCA Group, Groupe PSA confirms there are ongoing discussions aimed at creating one of the world’s leading automotive groups.” A similar statement from FCA read: “Following recent reports on a possible business combination between Groupe PSA and FCA Group, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV confirms there are ongoing discussions aimed at creating one of the world’s leading mobility groups. “FCA has nothing further to add at this time.” The potential merger would create a car giant worth around £40 billion and encompassing some of the world’s biggest car brands. FCA owns Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Ram, Lancia and Chrysler, while the PSA stable includes Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Vauxhall-Opel. FCA has been looking for a partner for some time, and earlier this year held extended talks with Group Renault over a possible partnership. But those talks broke down after the two firms could not reach an agreement. PSA boss Carlos Tavares led the purchase of Vauxhall-Opel and has been keen to expand the firm for some time, either through partnership or further acquisition. PSA is understood to have previously looked at buying Jaguar Land Rover, and has previously held talks with
Origin: PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler confirm merger talks
The Fiat Abarth and the spaces in between
The range of products built by FCA has, generally, no real reason to exist at least, not in the minds of any practical car-buyer. Almost every vehicle from FCAs brands appear specifically made to fit in between the needs of most consumers.Teeny, sporty roadsters. Near-800-horsepower go-fast brutes. Rafts of off-road-capable Jeeps. Does anyone really need any of these cars to exist?No.Thats the simple answer. However, its within this unjustifiable existence we find something much more important: purpose. For some drivers, its not the destination we care about, its the space in between the start and the finish line.In life, its the space in between birth and death that we find meaning in. The Japanese have a word for this ikagai and since a Mazda MX-5s bones underpin the Fiat 124, I thought it prudent to mention here.Thats what FCA builds, vehicles that live in this space, I would argue. But to find out for sure, I headed to California with several other auto writers to spend some time in between the start and finish line of Laguna Seca race track in a few mildly updated Fiat Abarths.To make sure all of us journalists didnt crash and burn immediately, we were given a crash course in track driving from Skip Barber Driving School in Monterey, California. Fiat assumed most of us knew how to drive big mistake so we only got a fraction of a real lesson, just enough to get a bunch of lead-foot writers out on the track and, hopefully, not into too much trouble.Laguna Seca itself looks intimidating. From wild elevation changes to an infamous corkscrew left-right, its the quintessential classic race track, impossible to build today. Turns out it feels no more difficult than a back roads drive, albeit one at 160 km/h. The track is wide and so are the curves, which meant we could keep the loud pedal pressed to the floor for the most part. Both the 124 and 500 manuals and automatics we drove had been fitted with some mild upgrades to better power and agility. The 124 got a new Record Monza Exhaust, the 500 a set of straight pipes really just a muffler delete. Regardless, the sound of the 500 was raucous compared to the gentlemanly 124, at least until you let off the gas at 7,000 rpm in the latter. At that point, you might feel subliminally compelled to fork over $2 to the concession stand manager for extra butter.Step on the gas in the low revs and the torque or lack thereof will let you down, literally. On a track with such extreme elevation changes as Laguna Seca, you need low-end grunt for all but a few turns, and so want to keep the engine in a high rev range to let the turbo spin enough to propel you onward and upward.The 124 is not a new vehicle, but thats a compliment. The bloat of new sports cars really becomes apparent when you sit in a vehicle as small as this. The car hasnt been given the full race car treatment when it comes to suspension and brakes. The springs are still quite soft, though the Abarth package does add upgraded Brembo stoppers and a limited-slip differential. The centre-of-gravity is low, and the car feels well-balanced no surprises when you enter or exit a turn. Though the 124 and 500 share an engine, the experience could not be more different. Obviously, the hatchback is shorter and taller than the slender 124, and you feel it in every corner, especially at Laguna Seca where almost none are taken on flat ground. Pitch it into a turn and you lean like Pisa. The front wheels try desperately to keep you pointed in the right direction, but the weight transfer works against your favour. All you can do is apply a dab of brake, causing the car to rotate. In a few corners, my car mustve looked like it was going to take a piss on the apex.Apologies to the enthusiasts, but having a go in a manual-trans Fiat 500 around the track was pretty unpleasant. The shifter is floppy and the throws are long, and most of us journalists couldnt get into the seating position.As sacrilegious as it sounds, the automatic transmission in the 500 was splendid, and offered quicker gear changes than I could pull off with my right hand and left foot. The positioning of the shifter is perfect for snapping up and down the gears, and the short throws made it feel like a rally car.If youre asking me to hand in my enthusiast badge immediately, perhaps I can reel you back in by suggesting the automatic in the 124 did not offer the same feeling. Although it too can be manually shifted with the same blip of the gear lever or flick of the steering-wheel-mounted paddles, the slushbox was much slower to respond, and wouldnt downshift if you werent in the 11 or 12 oclock positions on the rev counter. This meant more time spent thinking about shifting than other things, tainting the experience slightly. OK, give me my badge back.The six-speed manual transmission in the 124 is borrowed from the previous-generation NC Miata, and offers an excellent notchy feel that doesnt care if you wring its
Origin: The Fiat Abarth and the spaces in between
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