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Abarth 124 Spider

Abarth

Abarth 124 Spider: Abarth 124 Spider: A Rally Legend Reborn
Photo: El monty / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Abarth 124 Spider: A Rally Legend Reborn

The Abarth 124 Spider pairs a turbocharged rear-wheel-drive roadster with a name lifted straight from Abarth's rally-winning past.

The Abarth 124 Spider arrived as the performance version of Fiat's 124 Spider, itself built in partnership with Mazda and sharing its platform with the MX-5 Miata. Where the standard Fiat leaned toward relaxed cruising, the Abarth version sharpened everything, adding a turbocharged 1.4 liter engine, a stiffer suspension tune, a lowered ride height, and a dual-mode exhaust that could switch from quiet to genuinely loud at the push of a button.

The 124 name is not incidental. It directly recalls the original Fiat Abarth 124 rally cars of the 1970s, which Carlo Abarth's team campaigned to considerable success in European rallying. Reviving the badge on a modern rear-wheel-drive roadster gave Abarth a way to connect its motorsport history to a genuinely engaging driver's car rather than just another hot hatch.

With its lightweight structure, rear-wheel-drive balance, and turbocharged punch, the 124 Spider stood apart from the rest of the modern Abarth lineup, offering a classic open-top sports car experience wrapped in scorpion-badge attitude. It was produced for a limited run, making surviving examples a distinctive pick for Abarth enthusiasts.

Frequently asked questions about Abarth 124 Spider

What platform is the Abarth 124 Spider built on?
It is built on the same platform as the Fiat 124 Spider, which was developed in partnership with Mazda and shares its underlying structure with the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Why is it called the 124 Spider?
The name recalls the original Fiat Abarth 124 rally cars that Carlo Abarth's team campaigned successfully in European rallying during the 1970s, linking the modern roadster to that history.
Is the Abarth 124 Spider rear-wheel drive?
Yes. Unlike most modern Abarth models, the 124 Spider is rear-wheel drive, giving it a classic sports car balance shared with its Mazda MX-5 platform-mate.
What engine does the Abarth 124 Spider use?
It uses a turbocharged 1.4 liter four-cylinder engine tuned by Abarth for more power than the standard Fiat 124 Spider, paired with a dual-mode exhaust system.
Is the Abarth 124 Spider still in production?
No. The 124 Spider had a limited production run before being discontinued, which makes existing examples a sought-after find among Abarth collectors and enthusiasts.

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