Abarth 124 spider – the perfectly-proportioned sports car… surprise arrival in SA

Fiat… no, Abarth 124 spider

In a surprise move, FCASA introduced not the expected Fiat 124 spider, but the Abarth 124 spider, targeted at a new generation of enthusiasts with its performance and technical DNA.  

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles South Africa announces the arrival of the all-new Abarth 124 spider to local showrooms from December 2016.  

Designed for thrills and performance, the Abarth 124 spider has all the qualities needed to satisfy even the most difficult-to-please drivers.  Developed with the Abarth Racing team, the car perfectly embodies the brand’s values of performance, artisan craft and technical excellence.  This is a car designed to put a smile back on the faces of those lucky enough to drive it, or be in it.

The car’s weight is concentrated between the axles, and the engine is installed behind the front axle to guarantee optimal agility and superior driving feel.  Sophisticated mechanics and special materials have been used to contain the weight to just 1060 kg, which results in a best-in-category weight-to-power ratio.  Furthermore, the optimal weight distribution guarantees excellent feedback and agility.

Under the bonnet is a 1.4 litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with MultiAir technology.  It delivers 125 kW along with 250 Nm of torque.

Its top speed is 232 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.  The engine sound is a fundamental element of all Abarth cars, and standard equipment includes the Record Monza exhaust with dual mode system capable of modifying the path of the exhaust gas according to the engine speed, and generates a satisfying deep sound.

The Abarth 124 Spider is available with a 6-speed manual transmission, with the automatic not available for the South African market.

For exceptional dynamism, the Abarth 124 spider fits a standard mechanical self-locking differential which secures drive and traction in the most critical situations, and peerless dynamic performance.

Unadulterated driving feeling

The Abarth 124 spider features state-of-the-art active safety electronic devices.  To guarantee the typical feeling of a racing car on the track at all times, the electronics can be switched off by the driver to enable perfect mechanical balance and linear response from the engine – genuine trademarks of an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car.

The electronic controls are integrated in the Drive Mode Selector, which makes it possible to select the two different performance settings by means of a lever on the central tunnel: the driver can choose Normal, designed for everyday driving, or Sport, optimised for sporty driving.  The system can intervene on multiple parameters, namely maximum delivered torque, accelerator pedal response, power steering operation level, stability and traction control threshold (if they are not switched off for race track driving), and exhaust sound by managing the engine while shifting.

Perfect proportions on a sports car

The design of the Abarth 124 spider reflects its outstanding mechanical layout… this being a key feature for achieving perfect proportions on a sports car.  Its stretched bonnet re-asserts the importance of the engine and the power of the car, the short overhangs enhance agility, and the passenger compartment close to the rear axle means that the driver (and passenger) can truly feel the road.

The passenger compartment:bonnet ratio is comparable to that of a racing car.  A horizontal line rises, stretches back and joins with the line near the rear light cluster, as an unmistakable reference to the classic 124 spider.

Design was developed with a focus on performance.  A large air intake on the front bumper and the rear aerodynamic extractor were fine-tuned in the wind tunnel, together with the rear spoiler and the windscreen for optimising airflow.

The original lines of the front end together with the front hexagonal grille contribute to the car's bold personality.  The bonnet humps suggest the longitudinal position of the engine, as direct reference to the original 124 spider.

The LED headlights and rear lights add expressiveness to the car, both during the day and at night.  An important detail is the rear light cluster inserts in matching body colour, which form a luminous ring-shaped surface.

The rear end of the Abarth 124 spider is characterised by 2 elements: the swallow-tail section rear wings, and the horizontal rear lights which pick up particular features of the car's predecessor.  The shape of the rear bumpers with the upper surface jutting into the boot lid conveys a characteristic V-shape to the back of the car.

Paints named after rally victories

The car is available in 5 colours: 2 pastel, namely Turini 1975 White, and Costa Brava 1972 Red; 3 metallic paints are Isola d’Elba 1974 Blue, Portogallo 1974 Grey, and San Marino 1972 Black. The colours are a homage to the prestigious rally wins of Abarth, stating the place and year in their names.  This is original.

Metallic paint is the only option available at R 4 500.

Sorry, no Corsa Red colour pack or Racing anti-glare pack

The finish of the 17-inch alloy wheel rims, windscreen surround and roll bars are painted Forgiato Grey – a colour selected to underline the bold, technical inclination of the car.  Sorry, no Corsa Red colour pack (red line in the lower front and rear valance, red tow-hook cover (in the grille) and red mirror caps.  Excluded for SA spec, sadly – the red gives the Abarth spider a sporty appearance.

Sorry, no racy-sporty matt black bonnet and bootlid “Racing anti-glare pack” (actually called that, from racing history) for South Africa either.

What is the excuse?

Interior design

The Abarth 124 spider dashboard features a 3-gauge instrument panel, with the large red tachometer arranged in central position, a speedometer on the right, and a display on the left, allowing the driver to monitor all key driving information at a glance.

The overall focus is aimed at guaranteeing perfect ergonomics.  Leather seats are supportive and very comfortable to keep the driver in the ideal position as low as possible.  Furthermore, the controls are perfectly in line with the sporty set-up of the car: the position of the aluminium pedals, the vertical steering wheel and the short gear stick ensure a fully enthralling driving experience.

Comfort is guaranteed by standard heated seats and the excellent soundproofing afforded by the noise deadening windscreen, rear window and double-layer top.  The roof is designed to be opened and closed with one hand from the driver's seat in a few seconds.  Once folded behind the seats it does not occupy space in the boot.

turismo spec

The initial batch of Abarth 124 spider to arrive in SA will be the high-spec “turismo” version.  Standard equipment on the Abarth 124 spider turismo is a keyless start system, climate control system, cruise control, electrically-folding exterior rear view mirrors, and the Sound Plus pack – this is an integrated infotainment system that can be operated using an ergonomic, user-friendly knob on the central tunnel, and includes a 7-inch colour touchscreen, 2 x USB ports, an AUX port and Bluetooth connection features, combined to a Bose sound system with 9 speakers – 4 of which are built into the head restraints.

Active and passive safety

The Abarth 124 spider is decked out with a host of state-of-the-art active and passive safety devices.  EBD adjusts front and rear axle brake force distribution to optimise braking distances.  Also standard is ESC, for optimal control in particular in critical situations.

The Abarth 124 spider is fitted with an active bonnet system to comply with the pedestrian collision safety standards.

Local availability

The Abarth 124 spider turismo will be available immediately from Abarth dealerships countrywide (visit a Fiat / Alfa Romeo dealer to find them) and retails for R 649 900.  It comes standard with a 3-year 100 000 km warranty and maintenance plan.

This model combines the authentic roadster experience packed with thrills, technology and safety, with a touch of unmistakable design.

In the short shortlist of 2-seat rear-drive roadsters, the Abarth 124 spider is a compelling alternative to the sporty-petite Mazda MX-5 (with which it shares a structure and interior basics), less-sporty Mercedes-Benz SLC200 product, and R200k less than the Porsche 718 Boxster.  BMW Z4 production has stopped, and the Jaguar F-Type convertible starts at R1.09m.  From sister-brand Alfa Romeo hunkers the 4C Spider, though is perhaps too hardcore.  

This filters down to the Abarth 124 spider, being a lively, fresh-looking, heritage-respecting, racecar-inspired, perfectly-proportioned sports car.  An Italian open sports car… what could be more attractive…