Close to 50 years after the original Fiat 124 made debut, the company has unveiled a new compact rear-wheel drive convertible. The model based on the Miata MX-5 will be built in Japan under platform sharing, but will use the Abarth tuned 1.4-litre MulitAir turbocharged engine.
The 124 Spider draws inspiration from the original model in looks and detailing. The long bonnet has a bulge on the centre with power domes on both the sides. The headlamps are quirky with oval shaped DRLs. The car uses the new design Fiat front grille with black mesh. When looked at from the side, the new 124 is great with proportions suiting the needs of a two-seater convertible. The rear profile looks sophisticated with rectangular tail lamps; it is simplicity here that works in its favour. The looks of the Fiat 124 are going to draw sharp reactions; there will be many who would like the very Italian design. However, the staunch Miata supporters might not be so appreciative.
The interior is a combination of black and dark brown. The dashboard and majority of the panels are black, while the upholstery and door trims gets leather treatment. The design in here is curvy in line with the exterior and looks the part in a two-seater convertible.
Fiat has ditched the 2.0-litre Mazda engine from the MX-5 for the 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder MultiAir engine from the Abarth 500. The engine is good to produce 160bhp and 250Nm of torque, which is lot more than its Japanese counterpart.
The new model will go sale in Europe and American markets early next year. As for the launch in India, this gets added to the long list of affordable fun cars which won’t turn up on our shores any time soon.
