2017 Abarth 124 Spider Review | Badge Engineered, Or Brilliantly Inspired? You May Be Surprised
For those unfamiliar with the Abarth 124 Spider, here’s a quick overview: Based on the chassis of the Mazda MX-5, the Abarth 124 Spider adds unique styling, handling, and powertrain technology helping it stand apart from the iconic vehicle upon which it is based.
As a fairly well-known reference point, the MX-5 will be the go-to basis for comparison, because no other manufacturer delivers low-price, rear-wheel drive, roadster motoring like Mazda - a cause they’ve stayed the course with for almost 30 years.
But now, wrapped in Italian styling, and powered by an evocative turbocharged engine, could Mazda’s biggest worry be a variant of its very own car? Enthusiast have long called for tighter handling and turbocharging for the compact MX-5 and now finally it’s here in factory-backed form - only this time it isn’t Mazda’s stamp on the bonnet.
Vehicle Style: Two seat sports convertible
Price: $41,990 (plus on-roads) $44,970 (as tested)
Engine/trans: 125kW/250Nm 1.4-litre 4cyl turbo petrol | 6sp manual
Fuel Economy Claimed: 6.5 l/100km | Tested: 8.6 l/100km
OVERVIEW
In Europe and the United States a slightly less performance-focussed version of the 124 Spider is available, badged as a Fiat and with a less aggressive styling treatment, but for performance-crazed Australia the only variant available is the gruntier Abarth.
Priced at $41,990 (plus on-roads) it is just a touch more expensive than a fully-laden 2.0-litre MX-5 GT from $39,550 (plus on-roads), but it compensates with added equipment such as Brembo front brakes, specially-tuned suspension, and of course, the turbocharged engine under the bonnet, which at 125kW and 250Nm outgrunts the Mazda by just 7kW but a more impactful 50Nm.