Manufacturer Fiat Model years 2017–present Body style 2-door roadster | Production 2015–present Class Sports car (S) | |
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Assembly Japan: Hiroshima (Mazda Hiroshima plant) | ||
The Fiat 124 Spider is a front-engine, rear-drive two-passenger roadster debuted by FCA at the 2015 LA Auto Show for model year 2016.
Contents
- Background
- Specifications
- Limited editions
- Marketing
- Abarth 124 Spider and Abarth 124 Spider Rally
- References
Largely based on the fourth generation Mazda MX-5 roadster and manufactured alongside it at Mazda's Hiroshima plant, the 124 shares its platform, mechanicals, interior, top mechanism and windshield with the MX-5, while featuring a Fiat-engineered and manufactured turbocharged Multiair engine, unique exterior styling and slightly increased length and cargo capacity over the MX-5.
The 124 nameplate and exterior styling details recall Fiat's Pininfarina-designed 124 Sport Spider (1966–85).
Background
In 2012, Mazda and Alfa Romeo — at the time a subdivision of the Fiat group, now Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) — announced a joint venture to manufacture a common rear-drive platform with "both Mazda and (Alfa) to develop two differentiated, distinctly styled, iconic and brand-specific, lightweight roadsters featuring rear-wheel drive" with the two variants offering proprietary engines unique to each brand.
In 2014, FCA's Sergio Marchionne determined Alfa Romeo's would only be manufactured in Italy, saying "some things belong to a place. Alfa belongs to Italy," adding "I remain committed to that architecture, with our powertrain. I’m not sure it will be with Alfa. But it will be with one of our brands.”
At the time, Alfa Romeo's were manufactured only in Italy, while Fiats were manufactured in Italy, but also globally — from Tychy, Poland to Toluca, Mexico.
With their prior agreement in place — for FCA to market a roadster based on the MX-5 to be manufactured by Mazda at its Hiroshima factory — FCA conceived of marketing a Fiat-badged variant in lieu of the Alfa Romeo variant.
In 2015, FCA formally announced the Fiat 124 Spider based on the Mazda ND platform.
In 2016, the Detroit News stated "in partnering with Mazda’s MX-5 Miata to resurrect the classic Fiat 124 Spider, Fiat Chrysler not only gained a halo sports car for its struggling Italian brand, but likely saved the most celebrated small sports car of the past 25 years (the MX-5)" — citing the markedly increased cost of developing a new car at the time and "the costliest wave of government regulation since the 1970s."
Specifications
The 124 Spider is powered by Fiat's 1.4-litre MultiAir turbocharged inline-four, producing 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) and 240 N·m (177 lb·ft) of torque in European specification — and 160 hp (119 kW; 162 PS) and 184 lb·ft (249 N·m) of torque in North American specification.
Multiair is a hydraulically-actuated variable valve timing (VVT) engine technology enabling "cylinder by cylinder, stroke by stroke" control of intake air directly via a gasoline engine's inlet valves. Developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies, the technology bypasses a primary engine inefficiency: pumping losses caused by restriction of the intake passage by the throttle plate, used to regulate air feeding the cylinders.
Limited editions
At the 124's debut, Fiat will market a 124 Spider Anniversary edition, with 124 units carrying the designation — to commemorate the 50th anniversary of original 124 Sport Spider. Including features of the 124 Spider Lusso' trim, the edition also includes chromed mirrors, red '124' badge on the front grille, interior numbered plaque, red exterior and black leather interior.
Marketing
A commercial for the 124 featuring American actor Charlie Sheen was filmed but shelved before its debut at the 2015 LA Auto Show, as headlines of Sheen's positive HIV diagnosis coincided with the event.
Abarth 124 Spider and Abarth 124 Spider Rally
At the 2016 Geneva Motor Show Fiat revealed the Abarth performance version of the 124 Spider along with the Abarth 124 Spider Rally, which is a special rally version of the car. The Abarth version has MultiAir 1.4 engine and it delivers 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) and 250 N·m (184 lb·ft) of torque with a top speed of 232 km/h (144 mph) and acceleration from standstill in the 0–100 km/h of 6.8 seconds, thanks to the weight of only 1,060 kg (2,337 lb) and a 50:50 weight distribution between the axles.
In addition to the road version, the Abarth racing prototype was made that is inspired by the sporty Fiat 124 Abarth Rally car of the 1970s. It has a 1.8 turbo engine with 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp) at 6,500 rpm.