Abarth 124 spider packs 170hp and spawns rally version

If you ask a handful of Mazda MX-5 buyers just what they think the new MX-5 needs to be the perfect car, a bunch of them will tell you more power. Fiat has now offered details on its Abarth 124 spider and this is the version of the MX-5 that folks wanting more power have been waiting for. Granted it's not a lot more power with a rating of 170hp from the 1.4L MultiAir turbo engine.

That turbo powerplant does deliver 250nm of torque. Fiat says that the car has a top speed of 230 km/h and can reach 100km/h in 6.8 seconds. The car comes standard with a Record Monza exhaust and can be had with a 6-speed manual or an automatic Sequenziale Sportivo transmission. The manual has a short-throw shifter and the auto can be shifted with paddles behind the wheel promising extremely fast shifts.

Abarth 124 spider drivers can completely turn off the electronic controls at the track, which is a big deal. The Abarth 124 spider also gets what is called the Racing anti-glare kit meaning a matte black hood and trunk lid. The result is very attractive. Each of these cars also gets a metal plate to show its sequential number unique to each car.

Abarth 124 spider also gets LED headlights and rear lights with rear inserts in body color. There are five body colors available including special solid "Turini 1975 White " and "Costa Brava 1972 Red, metallic "Isola d'Elba 1974 Blue", "Portogallo 1974 Grey" and "San Marino 1972 Black." Abarth appears to want to take the 124 spider racing on the rally circuit, the red and yellow racing version of the car is ready to go. Pricing and availability for the car is unknown.

SOURCE: Abarth