2017 Fiat 124 Spider is a lean, mean, rear-wheel-drive Italian machine (pictures)

The 124 Spider is the brand's first proper roadster since its return to the United States. There are cabrio versions of the 500, but those aren't full-on convertible tops.

A keen eye might note some features shared with another new roadster. In fact, the Fiat 124 is based off the same chassis as the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata.

The Fiat and its Mazda brethren share the same suspension setup -- double wishbones up front and multi-link out back.

The taillights are squarish units that are meant as a throwback to the original 124 Spider, but we see a bit of -- dare we say it -- Dodge Viper in there.

The Fiat's similarity to the Mazda is mostly in the chassis. There are no body panels that the two roadsters share.

The Fiat 124 Spider is as Italian as it gets. The car was designed at Centro Stile in Turin, Italy.

The convertible soft top is entirely manual, just like the Miata's. Okay, maybe there are a few similarities beyond the chassis.

The Fiat 124 Spider is a fair bit more powerful than the Miata, as well. The Spider's 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine puts out 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, compared to the Miata's 155 horsepower and 148 pound feet.

The Spider is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic.

At the vehicle's launch, the manual transmission will only be available with the lower of the two trim levels. Thus, if you want a leather interior or heated seats, you're stuck with the automatic.

Whereas the Miata is a sporty little car to be thrashed about, the Spider's proportions and equipment loadout suggest it's more of a boulevard cruiser, meant for comfortable jaunts around town.

Another throwback to the original 124 Spider is the pair of "power dome" bumps on the new car's hood.

At launch, the Spider will be available in six different colors -- red, white, black, gray, dark gray and bronze.

Opt for the higher of the car's two available trim levels, and a pearl-white paint job will become available.

Despite its diminutive proportions, the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider comes with plenty of technology, both standard and optional.

Available safety equipment includes adaptive front headlights, which sweep to the side to better highlight curves. It's helpful if, say, there's a pothole just around the bend.

Even though the car is tiny and visibility is ample, buyers can opt for a blind-spot monitoring system that takes the guesswork out of changing lanes.

A backup camera with rear cross-traffic alert is also available, likely because backup cameras will be federally-mandated standard equipment in the next few years.

Fiat has not yet announced pricing for the 2017 124 Spider.

The car will make its public debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.

There is not yet any mention of the vehicle's availability in either the UK or Australian markets.

If we were betting-types, we'd put our money on the 124 Spider arriving, at the least, in select European markets.

The vehicle's wheels and trim suggest more of a luxurious attitude compared to the car's Japanese brother.

If you like never having to hold a key in your hand, the 124 Spider can be optioned with keyless access.

The 124 shares the same general interior as the Mazda, but the individual pieces therein have been upgraded to softer-touch materials not available on the car's Japanese counterpart.

All the car's interior switchgear and gauge displays were pulled straight from the MX-5. That's not a bad thing, because they're very easy to read and are all located in spots that are quick to commit to muscle memory.

Mazda and Fiat also share the same seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which includes standard Bluetooth connectivity.

Just behind the shifter lies the infotainment's redundant knob, which is helpful if you prefer to keep your screen free of smudges.

There's a little bit of storage space tucked between the seats, in case you'd rather not have loose items dancing about the interior.

The first 124 vehicles (cute) rolling off the assembly line will be limited-edition models sporting a unique blue paint job.

The special-edition 124 Spider also comes with a brown leather interior, adding to the car's already premium feel.