Fiat 124 Spider 2016

Stolen from TG


Which bits aren't Mazda?


1. The Engine

Fiat decided to ditch Mazda?s naturally aspirated 1.5 and 2.0-litre engines for its own 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder. This was not done purely out of vanity. For one thing, it?s a madly expensive decision ? the Spider is built on Mazda?s production line in Hiroshima, Japan, while its 1.4-litre MultiAir engine is stamped out in southern Italy. Finished motors are then shipped all the way to Japan, installed in the car, then shipped back off around the world to buyers ? back to Europe, in more than a few cases. Before you drive it off the forecourt, your engine?s probably done 10,000 miles.

?We wanted the extra torque and driveability of a turbo? explains the 124?s validation manager (i.e set-up wizard) Domenico Bagnasco.

Fortunately, the dollop of torque gives the Spider a totally different character to the MX-5, so the logistical nightmare of building it has paid off.


2. The gearbox

Well, the gear ratios, anyhow. Fiat knows a good thing when it?s onto it, and the MX-5?s gearbox is A Very, Very Good Thing. The new engine?s extra torque meant slightly longer gear ratios were bolted into the old mechanism, to suit the extra grunt. Oh, and there?s a posher gearknob, because style.

In the prototype, the shift quality isn?t quite as perfect as the MX-5, mind


3. The styling

Love it or hate it, the bolshier bodywork isn?t just there to cover the Mazda chassis. Besides nods to the original 1960s 124 in the bugeye lights and humped bonnet, the longer, wider 124 is deliberately styled to look even bigger than it actually is, with an American muscle car look to the bonnet that appeals Stateside.

Why? ?We build a car that men will want to drive, not a car that looks like a toy you?ve borrowed off a five-year old?. Fair enough - most two-seat roadsters have suffered from a slightly dainty image to those who can?t appreciate cheap chuckable fun.


4. Some of the handling tuning

?Have you driven the MX-5?? product manager Piergiorgio asks me.

?Yes, lots?, I reply. ?I like it. Lots of low-speed fun.?

?[For the 124] we have retuned the dampers, got new springs, and a slightly stiffer anti roll bar. We wanted a car with a more classic Fiat feel ? an Italian flair ? but not be so uncomfortable that you can?t pick up a beautiful blonde and take her to the beach.? Umm, OK then.

Meanwhile, the steering?s been tweaked too. ?That?s the great thing about electric power steering?, explains Domenico. ?With a different fuse and some new algorithms, we have achieved a more progressive weighting of the steering.?


5. The posher interior bits

Mazda was very proud of the great lengths it went to keep the MX-5 lightweight. Fiat is proud of the tweaks made to make it feel more plush. So you?ve got carpet on the inside of the bootlid where the MX-5 has bare metal and fresh air. Much luxury. Very trim.

There are new door handles inside with a chromed finish, along with soft-touch leather door tops, dashboard, and a thicker steering wheel. Piergiorgio points out the stitched dashboard trim was supposed to be bespoke to the 124, but Mazda got wind of the idea, pinched it, and put it in the MX-5 first. Naughty.


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Fiat turned the regular 2017 Fiat 124 Spider into an Abarth 124 Spider with 170 horsepower, a mechanical LSD, Brembo brakes, Bilstein dampers and a loud exhaust, and while they were at it, the performance brand also rolled out a rally version for Geneva.

:w00t:
 
I don't like the Abarth edition. :dunno:
 
I love the normal and rallye versions. The Abarth, not so much... it's just too shouty.
 
I think the Abarth edition will be added to my list of cars to buy for my collection in 10-15 years when they're super cheap. Looks almost as good as the BRZ. :D
 
That black bonnet/bootlid looks waaaaaay to ricer to my liking.
 
I have to say it. Wow! This really makes the car more than a Miata warmed over in an Italian oven.

Well done, Fiat.

Oh, and has no one seen this? Possibly my favorite bit of manufacturer-produced hype. Fantastic!


That black bonnet/bootlid looks waaaaaay to ricer to my liking.
Getting the car in black might help with that, if you're interested.
 
 
Someone has to: Only 170HP?

Yeah, my first thought too. By the looks of the thing, you'd swear it had 470hp. But the MX5 has posted some impressive acceleration numbers with only 155hp, so I guess we'll see.
 
I have to say it. Wow! This really makes the car more than a Miata warmed over in an Italian oven.

Well done, Fiat.

Oh, and has no one seen this? Possibly my favorite bit of manufacturer-produced hype. Fantastic!



Getting the car in black might help with that, if you're interested.

Oooooh, nice video!

I know the matte black parts have a historic significance, over time it changed how people perceive you if have those as decoration. Kinda like a swastika. :p
But in the end, I can live with that.
fiat_abarth_124_rally-gif.7125

Also, you're talking to a guy that has owned 5 cars in his life. All FIATs. Can you tell I'm interested? :lol:


Pretty much this.
I like the way it sounds, even if it's a tiny 1.4.
 
Someone has to: Only 170HP?

Bro, do u even remap?

even though it's a 1.4 ... look at what people do to their Abarth 500's. :)

But that rally version ... mmmhhhmmm.
 
Also, sub-7 second 0-60.
This thing weighs 1059. Do you really need more than 170bhp? It's supposed to be a fun roadster, not a sportscar. :dunno:
 
You can get them body colored as a free option.

After posting I read somewhere else it was optional, but thanks anyway. :thumbsup:
Also, I am curious to see it all in one color and in the other colors as well.
 
Also, sub-7 second 0-60.
This thing weighs 1059. Do you really need more than 170bhp? It's supposed to be a fun roadster, not a sportscar. :dunno:

The word 'need' is invalid with Abarth. If you want a fun light roadster, get the 1.5 ND for under a ton.
I expected a monster, not a mildly warmed up thing... Though maybe there are iterations to come, like with the 500.
 
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The quad exhaust looks really stupid. Make a coupe/hardtop version and I'll buy it though.
 
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