The Italian Soul in a Japanese Kimono: The Abarth 124 Spider is a Masterpiece of Collaboration
What happens when you take one of the most perfectly balanced rear-wheel drive chassis ever built and give it an Italian heart and soul? You get the Abarth 124 Spider—a car that shouldn’t logically exist, but feels utterly destined to. It’s the answer to a question no one knew needed asking: what if the sublime Mazda MX-5 Miata was just a little bit more… Italian?
This isn’t just a badge-engineered special. It’s a masterclass in collaboration, a car where Japanese reliability and precision meet Italian passion and fury. The result is a roadster that is distinctly different from its MX-5 sibling, and in many ways, even more charismatic.
The Best of Both Worlds: A Frankenstein’s Monster Done Right
The recipe was deceptively simple:
- The Body & Chassis: Borrow the expertly engineered, lightweight, and perfectly balanced platform from the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 (ND).
- The Heart: Rip out the Mazda’s naturally aspirated engine and drop in Fiat’s turbocharged, fire-breathing 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo four-cylinder.
- The Soul: Let Abarth’s performance division work its magic on the exhaust, suspension, and aesthetics.
The genius is that both companies focused on what they do best. Mazda delivered the flawless foundations—the impeccable driving position, the crisp six-speed manual gearbox, the razor-sharp steering, and the sublime roof mechanism. Abarth delivered the drama.
The Heart of the Matter: Forced Induction Fury
This is the core of the 124 Spider’s personality split from the MX-5.
- The Engine: The 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine produces 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. While the power figure is similar to the MX-5’s 2.0L, the torque is the star here. It arrives low in the rev range, providing a strong, accessible shove that the naturally aspirated MX-5 lacks. It feels punchier and more urgent in everyday driving.
- The Soundtrack: This is where the Abarth truly earns its scorpion badge. The Record Monza active exhaust system is a work of art. It transforms the 124 Spider from a polite cruiser into a crackling, popping, roaring symphony on wheels. Downshifts are met with explosive gunshot retorts. It’s an auditory experience that the more reserved MX-5 can’t match, making every drive an event.
Sharper Sting: The Abarth Treatment
Abarth didn’t just drop in an engine; they honed the entire package to be more aggressive.
- Suspension: The Abarth model received a sport-tuned Bilstein suspension setup, making it slightly firmer and more focused than the standard Fiat 124 Spider or the MX-5.
- Brembo Brakes: Up front, you got iconic red-painted Brembo calipers, providing strong and fade-resistant stopping power.
- Aesthetics: The Abarth treatment included a more aggressive front bumper, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, and classic Abarth graphics and scorpion badges. It looked the part of a miniature Italian GT car.
The Driving Experience: La Dolce Vita, at Speed
Sliding into the 124 Spider feels familiar to anyone who’s driven an ND MX-5—and that’s a very good thing. The cabin is intimate, simple, and driver-focused. But then you start the engine. The bark from the exhaust immediately signals this is a different beast.
On a winding road, the Abarth 124 Spider is an absolute joy. The turbo torque pulls you out of corners with gusto, and the soundtrack accompanying your progress is pure Italian opera. The chassis is beautifully balanced, encouraging you to play with the throttle to adjust your line. It’s slightly less of a rev-happy, momentum car than the MX-5 and more of a punchy, explosive GT cruiser.
A Bittersweet Legacy: The End of an Era
Production of the Abarth 124 Spider ended in 2020, a victim of changing emissions regulations and corporate strategies. Its short production run makes it an instant modern classic.
It was a car that celebrated the analog driving experience in a digital age. It was proof that two fiercely proud automotive cultures could collaborate without compromise, creating something that was greater than the sum of its parts.
Conclusion: The Roadster Purist’s Choice
The MX-5 is often called the purist’s choice, and rightly so. But the Abarth 124 Spider is the purist’s choice for a different kind of purist. It’s for the purist who believes a sports car should engage all the senses—not just through balance and feedback, but through sound, drama, and raw emotion.
It’s not the better car than the MX-5; it’s the other car. It’s the more extroverted, more theatrical, more passionate alternative. It is, in every sense, the Italian Soul in a Japanese Kimono—and it is utterly brilliant.
Abarth 124 Spider: Key Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Production Years | 2016 – 2020 |
| Engine | 1.4 L FCA MultiAir Turbo I4 |
| Power | 170 hp (127 kW) |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) @ 2,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed Manual / 6-speed Automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | 6.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 232 km/h (144 mph) |
| Brakes (Front) | Brembo 4-piston calipers |
| Suspension | Sport-tuned Bilstein dampers |
| Weight | ~1,065 kg (2,348 lbs) |
| Unique Feature | Record Monza active exhaust system |
