As reported earlier, Mazda and Alfa Romeo have formed an alliance, and the first outcome of it will be a new Alfa Spider based on the next generation MX-5. It is one of the most important cars to be launched over the next few years, and we have some new details on it. Apparently the car is going to be called Alfa Romeo Duetto, perfect for a two-seater sports car.

The Duetto will get the chassis and suspension of the MX-5, but it will be getting Alfa’s own engine and gearbox. That kinda makes sense, because if the cars were to be identical mechanically, nobody would buy the Mazda anymore. They’d get the Alfa which has a cooler badge, and certainly better looks.

The Alfa engine slated for the Duetto is the 1750-cc TBi direct-injected four-cylinder, boosted with a turbocharger. It reportedly will make 250 horsepower, all of which is sent to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual gearbox, or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

via: Car&Driver