Turns out the high performance Abarth version of the new Fiat 124 is coming to the UK after all and Fiat’s not including it in the original price list was nothing more than a cunning teaser. By launching the Abarth 124 Spider separately from the regular models the car maker is sort of setting this one apart.
As well they should, because Abarth 124 Spider is a completely different animal compared to the standard version. It only gets an additional 30 horsepower (thanks to a 1.4 TJet 170hp engine), but the Abarth is tuned like a true sports car and drives significantly better than the run of the mill version.
Among the main highlights of Abarth 124 Spider there are the short-shift six-speed manual or the automatic Sequenziale Sportivo gearbox, Record Monza exhaust system, and three-gauge instrument binnacle featuring a large central rev counter, a speedometer on the right and a data display on the left. Performance-wise, the Abarth goes from 0 to 62mph in 6.8 seconds and tops out at 143 mph.
As for the equipment, the standard kit includes climate control system, cruise control, adjustable, electrically-folding door mirrors, and an infotainment system with ergonomic, selector dial on the centre console. The system features a 7-inch colour display, DAB digital tuner, MP3 player, two USB ports, AUX input, and Bluetooth connectivity. Abarth 124 Spider also comes with its own unique look thanks to a number of special paint jobs, including solid “Turini 1975 White” and “Costa Brava 1972 Red”, metallic “Isola d’Elba 1974 Blue”, “Portogallo 1974 Grey” and “San Marino 1972 Black”.
Prices start at £29,565 for the manual and £31,605 for the automatic.
