Fiat revives a blast from the past
June 10, 2016
Styled with classic Italian flair and reviving a storied nameplate, the new Fiat 124 Spider brings the authentic, Italian roadster driving experience to a whole new generation of British enthusiasts.
The front-end of the Fiat 124 Spider encapsulates the essence of its classic predecessor in a modern and bold package – broad and muscular but also elegant and perfectly proportioned. The profile view is pure classic roadster, with its long wheelbase, a cockpit hunkered low near the driven rear axle and a long bonnet, all tied elegantly together by a horizontal line that emerges from the front wing, kicking up over the rear haunch and flowing toward the tail lamp, aping the distinctive bodywork of the original Fiat 124 Spider
The nose of the new Fiat 124 Spider also takes its inspiration from the 1966 original with the style and positioning of the LED headlamps and the hexagonal upper grille all drawing heavily from the details of the classic roadster. The bonnet of the new sports car also emulates the twin power domes of the second-generation Fiat 124 Spider (a functional design feature necessitated by the fitment of larger engines) while the rear view is defined by two main features: the swallow-tail rear wings, the upper surface of which cascade inward toward the deck-lid, and the sharp horizontal tail lamps with their distinctive ring shape. An integrated rear spoiler enhances the aerodynamic performance of the new Spider, while twin exhaust outlets are a reminder of its sporting pedigree.
The Fiat 124 Spider will be available in eight colours, with two pastel finishes (Passione Red and Ice White), five metallic shades (Volcano Black, Argento Grey, Fashion Grey, Magnetic Bronze and Italia Blue) and one tri-coat pearlescent finish in Urban White.
To minimise weight, improve longevity and encourage spur-of-the-moment open-air driving experiences, the multi-layer canvas hood is a manual unit that can be operated in seconds using minimal force and without the driver having to leave their seat. Doing so reveals a cabin built to the highest standard from a variety of top-quality soft-touch and premium materials, fine-tuned to ensure the perfect layout of pedals, steering wheel and gear lever with a clear view of the three-dial instrument cluster with a purposeful central rev-counter.
The steering wheel, too, is ergonomically designed to feel more comfortable in the hand and is wrapped with high-quality leather, while the light mesh structure seats and exclusive shape of the trim and foam parts were designed to guarantee the highest level of comfort. The door panels are trimmed with high-quality, soft-touch materials and beautifully detailed with satin-chrome elements.
Under the Fiat 124 Spider’s bonnet you’ll find the brand’s proven 1,368cc MultiAir, turbo-charged four-cylinder engine which delivers 140hp and 240Nm of torque to the rear wheels via six-speed manual transmission and compact rear differential. The Fiat 124 Spider is capable of accelerating to 62mph in 7.5 seconds and has a top speed of 134mph.
Three trim levels will be offered in the UK – Classica, Lusso and Lusso Plus. Prices for the Fiat 124 Spider starts at £19,545 for the Classica version, with the Lusso model prised at £22,295 and the top Lusso Plus trim costing £23,295.