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Fiat 124 Spider (2016)

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This article is about the 2016–2019 Fiat 124 Spider. For the original car, see Fiat 124 Sport Spider.

Fiat 124 Spider
Overview
Manufacturer
Also calledAbarth 124 Spider
Production2016–2019
(41,321 produced)
Model years2017–2020
AssemblyJapan: Hiroshima (Mazda Hiroshima plant)[1]
DesignerCentro Stile Fiat under Alberto Dilillo[2]
Ruben Wainberg (Abarth)[3]
Body and chassis
ClassSports car/roadster (S)
Body style2-door convertible
LayoutFMR layout
RelatedMazda MX-5 (ND)
Powertrain
Engine1.4 L FIRE MultiAir I4 (turbocharged gasoline)
Transmission6-speed manual
6-speed automatic Aisin B400[4][5][6]
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,310 mm (90.9 in)[6]
Length4,054 mm (159.6 in)[6]
Width1,740 mm (68.5 in)[6]
Height1,233 mm (48.5 in)[6]
Kerb weight1,050–1,080 kg (2,315–2,381 lb)[6][7]
Chronology
PredecessorFiat Barchetta

The Fiat 124 Spider (Type 348), is a front-engine, rear-drive, two-passenger roadster manufactured by Mazda for FCA over a single generation. The 124 debuted at the 2015 LA Auto Show for model year 2016,[8] with production reaching just over 41,000 for model years 2016-2020.

Largely based on the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 roadster, and manufactured alongside the MX-5 at Mazda's Hiroshima plant,[8][9] the 124 shares its platform, mechanicals, interior and top mechanism with the MX-5 — it is distinguished by an FCA engineered and manufactured turbocharged Multiair engine, uniquely tuned shock absorbers, unique exterior styling and nominally increased length and cargo capacity over the MX-5.[10][11][12]

The 124 nameplate and exterior styling details recall the Pininfarina-designed Fiat 124 Sport Spider, manufactured from 1966 to 1985.[8]

Background

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In May 2012, Mazda and Alfa Romeo — at the time a subsidiary of the Fiat Group, now Stellantis — announced a joint venture to manufacture a common rear wheel drive platform. The companies would "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.[13]

In December 2014, FCA's Sergio Marchionne determined Alfa Romeos would be manufactured only in Italy,[14] 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."[15] At the time, Alfa Romeos 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.[10] In August 2016, FCA formally announced the Fiat 124 Spider based on the Mazda ND platform.[16][17]

The 124 Spider, rear

In December 2016, the Detroit News said "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[18] and "the costliest wave of government regulation since the 1970s."[18]

In January 2019, FCA announced the Fiat 124 Spider was to be withdrawn from the market in the United Kingdom with immediate effect. The Abarth 124 Spider continued to be sold, but this too was withdrawn from the UK market in April 2019.

On December 23, 2020, Stellantis announced the 124 Spider and 500 were to be withdrawn from their North American model lineup after the 2020 model year and would not return for 2021, as is the situation with 500L. These models were expected to sell into 2021 until stock depletion.[19]

Specifications

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The 124 Spider was powered by Fiat's 1.4 litre FIRE Multiair turbocharged inline-four, producing 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) and 240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) of torque[1] in European specification—and 160 hp (119 kW; 162 PS) and 184 lb⋅ft (249 N⋅m) of torque in North American specification.[5] The 124 manual transmission is from the third generation MX-5's six speed transmission to cope with the turbo's torque.[20]

Multiair is a hydraulically actuated variable valve timing (VVT) engine technology enabling "cylinder by cylinder, stroke by stroke"[21] 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.[22]

Engines and performance

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Note: MT6 = six speed manual transmission, AT6 = six speed automatic transmission.

Model Engine type Power Torque Trans. 0–100 km/h
(0–62 mph) 		Top speed CO2
emissions
Fiat 124 Spider[6] 1,368 cc I4 MultiAir turbo (petrol) 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 5,000 rpm 240 N⋅m (177 lbf⋅ft) at 2,250 rpm MT6 7.5 s 215 km/h (134 mph) 148 g/km
AT6 7.6 s 214 km/h (133 mph) 153 g/km
Abarth 124 Spider[7] 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 5,500 rpm 250 N⋅m (184 lbf⋅ft) at 2,500 rpm MT6 6.8 s 232 km/h (144 mph) 148 g/km
AT6 6.9 s 229 km/h (142 mph) 153 g/km

Engines and performance, North American models

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Note: MT6 = six speed manual transmission, AT6 = six speed automatic transmission.

Model Engine type Power Torque Trans. 0–60 mph
(0–97 km/h) 		Top speed Fuel economy (combined) CO2
emissions
Fiat 124 Spider 1,368 cc I4 MultiAir turbo (petrol) 160 hp (119 kW) at 5,500 rpm 184 lb⋅ft (249 N⋅m) at 2,500 rpm MT6 6.8 s n/a 30 mpg‑US (7.8 L/100 km) 298 g/mi
AT6 6.8 s n/a 29 mpg‑US (8.1 L/100 km) 302 g/mi
Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 164 hp (122 kW) at 5,500 rpm 184 lb⋅ft (249 N⋅m) at 2,500 rpm MT6 n/a n/a n/a n/a
AT6 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Limited editions

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At the 124's debut, Fiat marketed 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 Plus trim, the edition also includes chromed mirrors, red '124' badge on the front grille, interior numbered plaque, red exterior and black leather interior.[23]

Abarth 124 Spider

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Abarth 124 Spider

The Abarth 124 Spider is a performance version of the Fiat 124 Spider manufactured by Mazda for FCA under the Abarth marque. It was introduced at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, along with the racing car Abarth 124 Spider Rally.[24] Final assembly of the car takes place in the Officine Abarth in Turin, Italy, where the model specific parts are installed on the Japanese built roadster.[24][25]

The Abarth 124 carries over the 1,368 cc (1.4 L; 83.5 cu in) MultiAir turbo I4, upgraded to deliver 170 PS (125 kW; 168 bhp) at 5,500 rpm and 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) of torque at 2500 rpm. It has a top speed of 232 km/h (144 mph) and can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds.[26]

The Abarth 124 Spider features many changes from its counterpart at Fiat. On the exterior, these include Abarth badging, an optional black racing stripe hand painted on the hood and decklid, and 17 inch aluminium wheels. The interior features heated black leather and microfiber sport seats with the option of leather and Alcantara suede Recaro seats.

It also features a leather wrapped sport steering wheel and gear knob, as well as red accent stitching.[27]

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

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The North American-spec version was originally announced at the 2016 New York International Auto Show as the Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth (meaning "tuned by Abarth"), with equipment roughly equivalent to the Mazda MX-5 Miata's Club Package. Unlike the standard Abarth model, it did not feature any power increase over the standard Fiat 124 Spider, and wore Fiat badges instead of Abarth badges, aside for the Elaborazione Abarth badges on the front fenders.[28][29] However the 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth was cancelled in favour of the standard Abarth model, sold as the Fiat 124 Spider Abarth due to Abarth's status as a performance trim in North America rather than a full brand. Although it wore full exterior Abarth badging, it used the Fiat badge on the steering wheel up until the 2019 model-year, due to the airbag recertification.[30]

Abarth 124 Spider Rally

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Abarth 124 Spider Rally

The Abarth 124 Spider Rally is a rally version of the 124 homologated in the FIA R-GT category. It has a 1.8 litre turbocharged engine with 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp) at 6,500 rpm.[citation needed]

Reception

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Jeremy Clarkson, in his "Driving" column of The Sunday Times, gave the Fiat 124 Spider three out of five stars, saying that "You'd expect the Fiat, being Italian and all, to be sportier and more manic than the MX-5, but actually it's quieter and less fun."[31]

Sales

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Year Europe[32] U.S.[33] Canada[34] Total
2016 3,717 2,475 258 6,450
2017 7,831 4,478 601 12,910
2018 7,637 3,515 284 11,436
2019 4,717 2,644 205 7,566
2020 76 1,711 165 1,952
2021 955 52 1,007
Total 23,978 15,778 1,565 41,321

References

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  1. ^ a b "Fiat 124 Spider—Specifications" (PDF). fiatpress.com. Fiat. 18 November 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  2. ^ "FIAT 124 SPIDER, GENESIS OF AN OPEN TOP". autodesignmagazine.com. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  3. ^ "FIAT 124 SPIDER, GENESIS OF AN OPEN TOP". autodesignmagazine.com. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  4. ^ 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth First Test: Four of a Kind: 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth First Test: Four of a Kind, access-date: 28. March 2019
  5. ^ a b Turkus, Brandon (18 November 2015). "2017 Fiat 124 Spider questions if the answer is always Miata". autoblog.com. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Fiat 124 Spider technical sheet". fiatpress.com. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. 20 September 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Abarth 124 Spider scheda tecnica" (PDF). abarthpress.com. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  8. ^ a b c Ramey, Jay (18 November 2015). "Fiata! 2017 Fiat 124 Spider debuts at LA Auto Show". autoweek.com. Autoweek. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  9. ^ Voelk, Tom (21 July 2016). "Fiat 124 Spider Is Made in Japan, Polished in Italy". The New York Times.
  10. ^ a b Ballaban, Michael (10 June 2016). "The 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Really Is Better Than The Miata". jalopnik.com. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  11. ^ Ewing, Steven J. "So, just how different are the Fiat 124 Spider and Mazda MX-5 Miata?". autoblog.com. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  12. ^ ""Fiata:" the 2017 Fiat 124, high-powered kin of the Mazda Miata". Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  13. ^ Pollard, Tim (19 December 2014). "Alfa Romeo MX-5 is no more: confirmed as Fiat-Abarth instead". carmagazine.co.uk. Car.
  14. ^ Sorokanich, Bob (19 December 2014). "Fiat gets Miata-based roadster, Alfa Romeo to build Spider in-house". roadandtrack.com.
  15. ^ Horncastle, Rowan (18 November 2015). "Meet Fiat's 124 Spider, Italy's MX-5-based answer to the MX-5". topgear.com.
  16. ^ "New Fiat 124 Spider: UK prices and specs". Auto Express. Dennis Publishing Limited. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  17. ^ "Senior FCA Exec Confirms Mazda MX-5 Platform For New Fiat-Abarth Model". Motor Authority. Internet Brands Automotive Group. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  18. ^ a b Payne, Henry (20 June 2016). "Payne: How Fiat saved Mazda's Miata". Detroit News. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  19. ^ Hurd, Bryon (23 December 2020). "Fiat 124, 500L dead for 2021; 500X gets $250 price hike". autoblog.com. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  20. ^ Car and Driver: the previous-gen Miata’s six-speed gearbox to cope with the turbo’s torque, access-date: 12. October 2017
  21. ^ "Fiat's Multiair engine wins Popular Science award". Popular Science via Allpar.com. 17 November 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  22. ^ Gillies, Mark (October 2009). "Fiat's Multiair Valve-Lift System Explained". Car and Driver.
  23. ^ "124 Spider Anniversary". fiat.com. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  24. ^ a b Joseph, Noah (1 March 2016). "Abarth 124 Spider is one furious Fiata". autoblog.com. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  25. ^ "Gagliardo: "Pura ed emozionante, ecco la nostra 124 Spider"". quattroruote.it. 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  26. ^ "2016 Abarth 124 spider MT". automobile-catalog.
  27. ^ "2017 FIAT Abarth-Spider". www.fiatusa.com. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  28. ^ Capparella, Joseph (22 March 2016). "U.S.-Spec 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth Is a Miata Club with an Italian Accent". Car and Driver. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  29. ^ "2017 Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth is lacking its sting". Autoblog. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  30. ^ Fiat500USA.com. "Confirmed: Abarth Steering Wheel Badge Coming!". Retrieved 30 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ Clarkson, Jeremy (15 September 2016). "The Clarkson Review: 2016 Fiat 124 Spider". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  32. ^ "Fiat 124 Spider European sales figures". carsalesbase.com. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  33. ^ "Fiat 124 Spider US car sales figures". carsalesbase.com. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  34. ^ "FIAT 124 SPIDER SALES FIGURES". www.goodcarbadcar.net. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
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