Fiat 124 Spider Abarth: thank you Mazda, but…

Germain Goyer

Germain Goyer

Wednesday, 19 July 2017 18:30

UPDATE
Wednesday, 19 July 2017 18:30

Look at this article

We drove for a week the new Fiat 124 Abarth. Built on the same platform as the Mazda MX-5 fourth generation, it is assembled in the same factory to Hiroshima in Japan. However, it is animated by a mechanical Fiat, the four-cylinder Multiair turbocharged 1.4 L.

Here’s what we liked, but also what we didn’t like.

What we liked :

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 2017

Germain Goyer

Sound

The – cars! – Italian have many defects, it is necessary to admit it. But they sound. And they sound better than any other. Ok, the 124 is half-Italian. But of its four exhausts out the best of Italy. Thanks to the sport mode.

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 2017

Germain Goyer

Driving

You have ever driven a go-kart? Well the 124 Spider Abarth is conducted in the same manner. It is also low, as agile and especially also pleasant as a go-kart.

Its engine is turbocharged and it shows. Under 3500 rpm, it does not happen much. But once we are above 4500 rpm, there is more action than ever before and one has the impression of being in a boxing ring in the twelfth round. For maximum enjoyment, it is necessary to play in the lever and hold it in high revs.

In the Face of the muscle cars, the 124 Spider forgets his sense of inferiority from the first curve. Cornering when cornering, the cars will appear smaller and smaller in your rear-view mirror.

She, of course, is power, and there is little weight to the rear. As soon as the floor is the least bit wet, the back train has a tendency to make it go. I hardly dare to imagine on the snow or the ice…

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 2017

Germain Goyer

Silhouette

The former
Miata and MX-5 are the darlings of Québécois. They are part of the landscape in summer since 1990. On the other hand, no one returns to their passage. For those who want to stand out, the 124 is an alternative to seriously consider. Aesthetically, it is superb. Its rear lights have even a little something very lovely borrowed from the Dodge Viper of the last generation.

Roof

It is absolutely awesome. For the fall or go back, just a few seconds with just one hand. Hat! It is a mechanical system of a disconcerting simplicity, but just as effective. Most convertibles today have an electric roof. You have to weigh for long seconds on the button and wait that the roof folds or unfolds. In the long term, I would have anxiety attacks just thinking of a possible failure of the system. And especially to the repair invoice.

What we didn’t like :

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 2017

Germain Goyer

Price

With a base price of about $ 33,000, the mazda MX-5 and 124 Spider depart on an equal footing, to a few hundred dollars. In the case of the Fiat to the test, its price exceeded the$ 48,000. We are talking about one and a half times the base price. It starts to make a lot. Too many of them, even.

With 160-horsepower, four-cylinder Italian turns out to be more powerful than that of the japanese which develops 155. Version Abarth boasts four
cavalli for a total of 164. The extra power, nobody is going to complain about it. But not at any cost. And in this case, it’s not bad price to pay.

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 2017

Germain Goyer

Infotainment

One of the – few – the strengths of FCA at the present time, it is its infotainment system UConnect. Easy to use, it is complete and without ado. At Fiat, we opted instead for the system, Mazda Connect. Already the interior has been almost entirely stitched to the MX-5, we could make an exception for the infotainment system. Another example of the law of least effort in FCA.

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 2017

Germain Goyer

Clearance for the head

If you are a giant – green or not…), this is not the vehicle for you. As for me, I measure 5 feet and 11 inches (and½!) and my hair rubbed the ceiling when the roof was in place. Anyway, it also, it is the same with the MX-5.

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 2017

Germain Goyer

Steering wheel

On the hood and trunk, it has gone to the trouble to affix badges Abarth. Considering the supplement paid for this version, it is normal. We think that it would have been the least of the things to reserve the same fate at the wheel which bears the logo Fiat.

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 2017

Germain Goyer

Reliability

It will not teach you anything by saying that the reliability is not the main quality of Fiat. In reality, it is just the opposite. As noted in the road test of the
Fiat 500X, the manufacturer is listed in the end of the row with Ram in the most recent list of reliability published by Consumer Reports. Poor reliability is often synonymous with poor resale value. For this component, the MX-5 excels, and the 124 will have rowing exceedingly hard to maintain a resale value to be acceptable.

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 2017

Germain Goyer

Brief

If you’re the type to eat your spaghetti with milk because you don’t worry too much with the mixture of cultures, this Italian built from a japanese might appeal to you. In the leading, I defy you to be grumpy. It is impossible. Unless it can be broken down… Especially because of the misfires that Fiat was known for the reliability, I would go definitely to the side of the MX-5.

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 2017

Germain Goyer