2017 Abarth 124 Spider

By Alex Forrest

This is the Abarth 124 Spider. It’s got a Fiat engine, but it’s called an Abarth and it’s made by Mazda.

But don’t let that confuse you.

Abarth is a car maker which in the 1950s and ‘60s, used Fiat mechanicals to build some of the most hilariously engaging small cars ever.

These included the Abarth 595, which was based on the Fiat 500, and the Fiat-Abarth 750, built up from the Fiat 600.

Many Abarth cars had highly tuned rear engines, so the sting in the tail symbolised by the Scorpion badge fitted perfectly.

Fiat took over Abarth in 1971 and in 1972, the Fiat Abarth 124 Rally appeared. Now, 44 years later, Fiat has revived the 124 name in the form of this, the Abarth 124 Spider. 

To get it to production, Fiat struck up a joint venture with Mazda which granted it access to the Mazda MX-5, the world’s most popular sports car.

So, what we have here is a sports car based on the MX-5 platform including its multi-link rear suspension, the gearbox, rear end, interior fittings and the infotainment system.

But, it has a completely different engine and new, slightly retro but rather attractive bodywork.

Designed in Turin, Italy, the looks of the new Abarth 124 Spider deliberately draw on styling cues of the 1970s 124 Spider, while introducing its own features such as the look of the tail lights, which echo the Maserati Granturismo.    

It wasn’t just a basic re-skin though.

Under the Abarth’s bonnet, the naturally aspirated Mazda engines (a 1.5 or 2-litre) are gone, replaced by a Fiat 1.4-litre turbo charged unit with 125kW and 250Nm.

It’s not as powerful as other sports cars like the Toyota 86, but get it on-song and this engine is gutsy and willing and fizzier than a berocca in soda water.

It also sounds busier than the Mazda engines - a good thing that most enthusiasts would regard as character. 

There are more changes under the skin too. Fiat has fitted stiffer anti-roll bars and dampers, which are designed to reduce the level of pitching in corners that can sometimes be seen in the MX-5.

The Abarth 124 still has the same basic handling tendencies as the MX-5, which is quite neutral cornering as opposed to the definite tail-happy bias you get in cars like the Toyota 86.

Initially, the 124 wants to understeer in a corner, but then as power is rolled on, weight transfers to the rear end and the transition to oversteer begins.   

We reckon both the 124 and MX-5 are great looking cars, however the 124 does have a harder edge to its looks, which are helped by the long bonnet and four chrome exhaust tips.

Just on that, the exhaust could be throatier, and if you really feel strongly about it, you can grab the dual-mode Monza exhaust for an extra $1895.

If you’re familiar with the current MX-5’s interior, sitting in the Abarth will give you a strong sense of déjà vu. The steering wheel, switches and infotainment interface are all from the MX-5, and that’s not a bad thing at all.

Around town, the six-speed manual Abarth 124 Spider uses 6.4 litres/100km in the ADR test, while the six-speed auto needs 6.6L/100km.

The manual Abarth 124 costs $43,500 drive away, while the auto will require $45,500 to get in your garage.

A reversing camera is standard, though bind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert systems will cost extra. It hasn’t yet been rated by ANCAP. 

No doubt, $43,500 is a lot of cash for a tiny car with only two seats, a tiny boot and a mixed heritage.

But, what that gets you is a rare, Italian-styled, rear-drive roadster with an iconic badge on a proven chassis which will make you grin like you’ve eaten a banana sideways.

Because of that alone, the Abarth 124 Spider makes a very welcome addition to the affordable sports car category in Australia. 

The Abarth 124 Spider had not been rated by ANCAP at the time of writing.