Abarth 124

Model Overview

The Abarth 124 is a high-performance derivative built upon the Fiat 124 Spider by Italian tuning and motorsport specialist Abarth. Founded by Carlo Abarth in 1949, the brand has long specialised in high-performance tuning and motorsport programmes for Fiat models, with its iconic "Scorpion" badge standing as a hallmark of Italian performance machinery. In 2016, coinciding with Fiat's revival of the 124 Spider nameplate, Abarth introduced the Abarth 124 Spider. Armed with a more aggressive powertrain tune, sportier chassis setup, and bespoke styling inside and out, it was targeted squarely at two-seater roadsters such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata and BMW Z4. The Abarth 124 was produced and sold from 2016 to 2021, bowing out of the market alongside the discontinuation of the standard Fiat 124 Spider.

Design Language

Visually, while retaining the overall silhouette of the standard 124 Spider, the Abarth 124 dials up its sporty character with an array of model-exclusive styling cues. The front bumper has been reprofiled with larger air intakes, integrated side air channels, and a more pronounced front splitter. The bonnet incorporates twin black heat extractor panels complemented by dedicated Abarth badging. Along the sides, it features extended side skirts and gloss black wing mirror caps. At the rear, it sports an aggressive quad-tailpipe exhaust layout paired with a more prominent rear diffuser. The Abarth 124 was offered in several bespoke exterior colours, most notably the iconic "Record Grey" and "Rally Blue".

In terms of rolling stock, 17-inch alloy wheels come standard (with 18-inch items available as an option), housing a Brembo high-performance braking system with red brake calipers. The fabric soft-top can be specified in either black or red. Inside, the Abarth 124 features a driver-focused sports cabin. The sports seats are trimmed in a combination of Alcantara and genuine leather, complete with embroidered Abarth scorpion emblems on the headrests. The flat-bottom sports steering wheel is equipped with paddle shifters on automatic variants. It also features a bespoke instrument cluster with black dials and white lettering, alongside a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display on the centre console, with the predominantly black cabin elevated by contrasting red stitching. Furthermore, the Abarth 124 was optionally available with the Record Monza dual-mode sports exhaust system.

Powertrain and Performance

Under the bonnet, the Abarth 124 is powered by Fiat Group's 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo inline-four petrol engine, tuned to deliver a substantial performance bump over the standard 124 Spider (140 hp). It puts out a maximum output of 170 hp (approx. 125 kW) at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 250 Nm at 2,500 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission in a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (FR) layout. The roadster completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.8 seconds, onwards to a top speed of 232 km/h—delivering performance that sits comfortably in the upper-middle tier of its segment.

Following its debut, Abarth also introduced the limited-run Abarth 124 Rally, powered by a further-tuned 1.8-litre turbocharged engine pushing over 200 hp, engineered specifically for rally competition. Configured with rear-wheel drive, a limited-slip differential, and a sequential racing transmission, it reinforced Abarth's storied motorsport lineage.

Chassis and Handling

The Abarth 124 shares Mazda's Skyactiv chassis architecture with the standard 124 Spider, utilising a front-mid engine, rear-wheel-drive setup. Suspension duties are handled by a front double wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension setup, fitted with anti-roll bars front and rear. Compared to the standard car, the Abarth 124 benefits from a dedicated sports suspension tune featuring stiffer dampers, springs, and thicker anti-roll bars, alongside a 10 mm reduction in ride height. The electric power steering (EPS) has also been recalibrated to deliver sharper, more communicative road feedback.

Braking is managed by a standard Brembo high-performance braking system featuring four-piston front calipers and single-piston rear calipers, clamped onto larger ventilated discs for strong and consistent stopping power. A mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD) is fitted as standard to significantly improve corner-exit traction and handling limits. Staggered tyre setups measure 205/45 R17 at the front and 225/45 R17 at the rear, wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza or optional Michelin Pilot Sport high-performance tyres.

Cabin and Equipment

The Abarth 124 features a strict two-seater layout. Its sports seats, upholstered in a mix of Alcantara and genuine leather, offer excellent lateral bolstering alongside long-distance cruising comfort. Boot space is rated at 140 litres, sufficient to accommodate a standard golf bag. In terms of creature comforts, it comes equipped with automatic climate control, keyless entry with push-button start, and power-folding door mirrors. Infotainment is handled by a 7-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an optional Bose premium audio system. Additionally, buyers could opt for the bespoke Record Monza dual-mode exhaust system, which opens up a significantly throatier and more vocal exhaust note when driven hard or in Sport mode.

Safety and Driver Assistance

In terms of safety equipment, the Abarth 124 mirrors the standard 124 Spider. Passive safety features include dual front airbags, side airbags, and a driver's knee airbag. Active safety kit includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Launch Assist (HLA), and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Reflecting its purist roadster positioning and era, the Abarth 124 omits complex advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control or lane keep assist, placing driving engagement and lightweight agility at the forefront.

Market Performance and Reception

Following its 2016 introduction, the Abarth 124 struck a chord with driving enthusiasts across European markets. Its blend of evocative Italian styling, lightweight construction, and classic rear-wheel-drive dynamics delivered an unfiltered, engaging driving experience. Automotive media widely lauded the car, dubbing it a "sports car with an Italian soul on a Japanese chassis." However, given its direct overlap with the benchmark Mazda MX-5 and the Abarth's higher price premium, it struggled to achieve significant sales volumes. In 2021, weighed down by increasingly stringent EU emissions regulations and tapering global demand, the Abarth 124 was officially axed alongside the standard Fiat 124 Spider.

In Abarth's historical lineage, the 124 serves as a spiritual successor to the legendary 1960s and 70s Abarth 124 Rally, which scored numerous European Rally Championship victories between 1972 and 1974. Despite its relatively brief production run, the modern Abarth 124—as a distinctive roadster merging Italian design flair with proven Japanese chassis dynamics—has etched a memorable chapter in the heritage of both the Abarth brand and the wider compact roadster segment.