Having grown the 500 family of small cars to include a people mover and an off-roader, Fiat is turning to its past for its latest model. The new 124 Spider is a modern day take on the vintage 124 Sport Spider a car that sold from the ‘60s through the early ‘80s. This time around, Fiat is partnering with another brand – Mazda.
Although the 124 Spider is based on the MX-5 Miata, it has been restyled by Fiat’s design studios in Turin. Fiat’s stylists added classic styling cues including round headlamps, Coke bottle fenders, and slim tail lights with a little duck-tail spoiler to cap the rear decklid. Overall it’s a quite bit longer than the MX-5, but no taller or wider. Inside, the cabin is unchanged other than the fact there’s a big Fiat badge on the steering wheel instead of the Mazda logo. While the equipment list hasn’t yet been finalized, the 124 will get standard air conditioning, power windows, keyless entry, 16-inch alloy wheels, and will also have available Bose stereo with speakers integrated into the head rest, a 7.0-inch touchscreen display with rotary controller, reverse camera, adaptive HID headlamps, and more.
Under the hood is the same 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the 500 Abarth, which delivers 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, some five ponies and 36 lb-ft more than the Mazda. Although the 124 can be had with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, they’re different than those used in the MX-5. The manual’s gear ratios are different, and while the automatic transmission in the Fiat has the same gear ratios, it’s made by Aisin. Nevertheless, performance should be suitably sprightly.
When it goes on sale, the Fiat 124 Spider will be available in two trims: Classica and Lusso. Kicking off production is a limited-edition Prima Edizione trim, which includes saddle leather seats, Bronze metallic paint, and a commemorative badge.
