Abarth 124 Spider Bows With Aggressive Styling and 170 HP
If the Fiat 124 Spider is a bit too tame for you, perhaps the Abarth 124 Spider is more fitting.
Sporting aggressive styling that shows it means business, the Abarth 124 Spider made its debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Powering the roadster is a 1.4-liter four-cylinder MultiAir Turbo engine packing 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, a minor increase compared to the standard Fiat’s 160 hp while torque remains the same. It might not be the performance increase that some were hoping for, but it does help shave its zero-to-62 mph time to 6.8 seconds. It does, however, sound meaner, thanks to the standard Record Monza exhaust system, generating what the Italian automaker calls a “beautiful growling sound.”
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The model will be available with a six-speed manual transmission or the automatic Sequenziale Sportivo gearbox that has been tuned to exploit all the engine torque and “convey genuine racing sensations,” whatever that may mean.
It’s worth mentioning that Abarth said the engine specs revealed are for the Europe, Middle East and Asia regions, so there is a slight possibility the U.S. could get a more powerful variant.
SEE ALSO: 2016 Geneva Motor Show Coverage
Developed with input from the Abarth Racing Team, the Abarth 124 Spider comes with a sports mechanical limited-slip differential as standard and weighs just 2,337 pounds. It gets a stylish matte black treatment on the hood and trunk lid while the interior has been outfitted with the Racing Alcantara Kit with a dark finish. Each vehicle will be tested and certified by an Abarth technician who also applies a metal plate showing the sequential number of each car.
Pricing in the U.S. has not yet been announced, but Abarth did say that the car will be available in Europe starting September with prices starting from €40,000 ($43,470).
Discuss this story on our Fiat 124 Spider Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Maybe we can see the 190hp version of the 1.4t or the 235hp 1.75t engine
i don't get this. It's not attractive, it's not powerful, it's certainly not even their own car underneath. Abarth is an almost obscure badge, FIAT doesn't symbolize quality. It's not made in Italy. Prices start at $43,470? i just don't get it.