- Agile, balanced chassis makes for excellent dynamics
- 1.4-litre turbo engine and styling provides differentiation from related Mazda ND MX-5
- Open-top appeal
- Limited headroom and steering wheel lacks reach adjustment
Overview
Expected to be released in Australia in late 2016, the Abarth 124 Spider is a two-door convertible with a soft-top roof. To be manufactured at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant in Japan alongside the related Mazda ND MX-5 , the rear-wheel drive Abarth 124 Spider is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that is mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed ‘Sequenziale Sportivo’ automatic transmission which can be controlled via steering wheel gearshift paddles.
MultiAir Engine
Manufactured at Fiat’s Termoli engine plant in Italy, the 1368 cc MultiAir engine has an 72.0 mm bore and 84.0 mm stroke, a cast iron block, an aluminium-alloy bedplate and cylinder head, a single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, a turbocharger which is understood to provide maximum boost pressure of 2.49 bar and have a compression ratio of 9.8:1.
The MultiAir engine features Fully Variable Valve Actuation (FVVA) which uses electro-hydraulic variable valve actuators for variable valve intake valve timing and lift. The exhaust valves, however, are not variable and are instead actuated by mechanical cam lobes.
The Abarth 124 Spider can accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abarth 124 Spider | 1.4-litre turbo petrol I4 | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
125 kW at 5500 rpm | 250 Nm at 2500 rpm |
Body and soft-top roof
Compared to the Mazda ND MX-5 with which it shared its architecture, the Abarth 124 Spider is 139 mm longer (at 4054 mm), 5 mm wider (1740 mm) and 3 mm taller (1233 mm), though wheelbase length is unchanged at 2310 mm. To limits its kerb weight to 1060 kg, the Abarth 124 Spider uses aluminium for the bonnet, boot lid, front and rear bumper reinforcements, seatback bars, underbody cross-member and bulkhead panel. Furthermore, the 124 Spider has a 50:50 front:rear weight distribution.
The soft-top roof for the Abarth 124 Spider is manually operated and uses an assisting spring to support the driver’s action when raising the top from the fully open position. For easier roof operation from the driver’s seat, the seats for the 124 Spider have narrow shoulder bolsters to allow the driver’s upper body to move freely. When the soft-top roof’s header-rail lock levers are operated to open or close the soft-top, the windows are automatically lowered to 140 mm lower than their fully raised position.
Suspension and steering
The Abarth 124 Spider has double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, the latter designed to use the lateral force from the tyres under high cornering forces to increase toe-in for improved stability. Furthermore, the dampers are produced by Bilstein.
The Abarth 124 Spider has a double pinion electric power assist system (DP-EPAS).
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Abarth 124 Spider is understood to include dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.
The Abarth 124 Spider also has an ‘active bonnet’ which automatically rises in the event of a frontal collision to reduce the severity of a pedestrian’s impact with the bonnet.
Euro NCAP testing
In Euro NCAP testing , the Mazda ND MX-5 received a four star safety rating which included an 84 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 80 per cent child occupant protection rating. It is unclear whether this rating will be extended to the Abarth 124 Spider.
Features: Abarth 124 Spider
Standard features for the Abarth 124 Spider are expected to include a four speaker sound system with USB input and 3.5 mm socket, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, air conditioning, cruise control, daytime running lights, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, a trip computer and an immobiliser. Inside, the Fiat 124 Spider is expected to have leather upholstery for the seats, steering wheel and gearshift, and ‘eco leather’ for the doors and instrument panel.
As standard, the Abarth 124 Spider is fitted with a mechanical limited-slip differential.
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