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Fiat has had a Roadster size hole since 2005 when the last barchetta rolled from the production line.
Strange if you look at the rich sports car of the Italian company. After all, the original 124 sports spider (produced between 1966 and 1982) has an iconic status.
The new 124 spider pays homage to your ancestors in styling terms, but under his skin the red-flowered Fiat DNA is in shorter care. The car is essentially a Mazda MX-5 with a new body, a Fiat engine and some technical improvements. But let us be clear that we do not mean in a repellent way.
If you let yourself be spoiled a little with the Badge engineering, you can just as well with the best meetings and the MX-5 has been the world’s most popular sports car since it started in 1990.
Based on the fourth generation MX-5, which started in 2016 and the first car that won the double of the World Car of the Year and World Car Design Awards, but also has its own personality.
In fact, some say that the 124 spiders are a better car than the MX-5, which is unmistakable and split in its latest form.
While the slippery MX-5 is all cat curves, the 124 spider from the original from 1996 is inspired.
A little longer than its Japanese cousin, the spider has a more elegant profile-die bonnet seems longer, has Twin Power Domes and there is a hexagonal grille that reflects the historical model. There are swallow tail wings backwards, which are covered by a spoiler and two exhaust systems. In short, Fiat’s retro look is pretty.
Inside, the spider looks very similar to the MX-5, although it is deciding on tobacco leather padding, it really distinguishes it. It should also be noted that the Fiat seats are particularly comfortable.
The cabin is just as cozy, while the instruments are very Mazda, which is not a bad thing. For example, the Fiat Mazda’s 7-inch touchscreen (an option on the entry spider) has inherited, which also benefits from the addition of a rotary regulator next to the handbrake between the front seats.
The Fiat 124 Spider Range begins at £ 19,545 for the Classica equipment advantage and rose to 22,295 GBP and 23.295 GBP for the TOP -SPESLUSO Plus. For comparison: the MX-5 costs between £ 18,495 to 23,695 GBP.
The standard equipment on the entry-level classic version contains four airbags, air conditioning, a leather-made steering wheel with audio controls, a leather with leather with leather circuit boundary, speed boundar, 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless motor start and a powerful infotainment system with USB, AUX – and Bluetooth connectivity. A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with DAB, WLAN, two USB connections and a multimedia cader button is available as an £ 500 option.
The MID-Range LUSO is equipped with this 7-inch infotainment system, but also adds satellite navigation with 3D cards and the Parkview Park camera. It is also equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, heated leather cushions, automatic climate control, front fog lights, stoneless entry, chrome exhaust peak and a premium silver finish on the windshield frame and rollover rods.
The range-toping model plus model builds on the specification of the LUSSO model by adding adaptive LED lights, automatic headlights and windshield wipers as well as a Bose sound system with nine speakers (including stereo head support speakers on both seats).
Apart from the elegant body, there is the other big difference in the bonnet, in which Fiat only offers a motor of 1,4-liter turbo-petrol-multiair unit.
The MX-5 is available with 131 hp 1.5-liter and 160 hp and 2.0-liter engines, but the Fiat unit is probably the best all-rounder. At 138 HP it is a brave engine that can reach 62 miles per hour from still quiet in just 7.5 seconds, return at 134 km/h with 44.1 MPG and radiate 148 g/km CO2.
The Mazda units are good for 0-62 miles per hour of 8.3 and 7.3s, although the smaller one of the two is one. It has sufficient performance, can have up to 47.1 MPG and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km.
Of course, a hot version of the Fiat is available in the form of the Abarth 124 Spider, which uses a 170 hp version of Fiat’s 1.4 engine so that it can reach 62 miles per hour in 6.8 seconds.
Despite the fact that the Fiat 124 Spider weighs more than the MX-5, it feels faster, especially in the REV area when the turbocharger begins. The spider also sounds like a sports car. Work done. In addition, the six-speed gearbox is smooth and a pleasure to use, but then it would be because it is derived Mazda.
The steering of the spider has apparently been optimized to give it a reaction -razor “Italian feeling”, while the suspension was also set. We would say the steering is beautifully weighted, while handling is a good compromise between comfort and speed.
Lovers can say something else, but for us the spider seems to have a somewhat softer journey. However, it still feels planted and will definitely put a smile on your face when you tackle flowing roads quickly.
Elsewhere, the familiar hood mechanism is the same as the Mazda and it can continue to be operated (without too much of a conviction) from the driver’s seat, while the boot room at 140 liters is still tight -5.
After all, the Fiat is available in eight colors that are generally more alive than the MX-5 that may vibrate for some potential buyers. Obviously it looks red in passion, but magnetic blue and Italian blue are also very nice, while urban white (in a tri-coat-pearlescent finish) is surprisingly effective.
Verdict: Fiat has held the impossible with the 124 spider and created a distinctive, stylish and entertaining sports car with a lot of character.
Review: Gareth Herincx
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