Abarth 124 Spider 2017 Review

What’s it all about?
Take a look around in traffic, any day of the week, and I'm sure you'll spot a Mazda MX-5. In fact, I'm sure you'll spot a brand new MX-5. Maybe even two, or three! But just how many Abarth 124 Spiders have you seen in your travels? None? Me either.

That's the problem with the largely badge-engineered Italian remake of the world's most popular roadster. It isn't, at all, popular.

Granted it hasn't been on sale for as long as its arch nemesis, but I still reckon I saw more ND-series MX-5s in the first weeks of its local sale than I have of the 124 Spider since it was launched in October 2016. VFACTS says just 218 examples of the 124 Spider have been sold since its debut, against 548 MX-5s in the same period.

And there are other reasons the 124 Spider should sell better than it has. It's more powerful. It handles better. It stops better. And, it sounds better – a lot better!

It's also got a swag of sporty mechanical extras that can't be had at Camp Mazda – not even if you beg. Items like Brembo brakes, Bilstein shocks and stiffer springs, Recaro seats, strut brace, a proper mechanical limited-slip diff (okay, manual MX-5s get that too), and an exhaust system worthy of a sporty two-seat roadster are all standard.
Kinda makes you wonder why there isn't a queue at the Abarth dealership door…

How much will it cost?
Right, so it's more expensive than the MX-5. But it's also quicker – 0-100km/h in 6.8sec, 0.5sec faster than the Mazda – thanks to a more powerful engine and revised gear and final drive ratios. And it gets all that extra ‘stuff’ we just mentioned, and is more fuel efficient. Right there is reason enough to hand over your hard-earned.

The Abarth 124 Spider starts at $41,990 for the six-speed manual and $43,990 for the self-shifter. By comparison the MX-5 range starts at $33,340 for the 1.5-litre manual soft-top and tops out at $45,890 for the 2.0-litre automatic Retractable Fastback. Any way you look at it, the Abarth is a competitive option.

Abarth offers the 124 Spider with a three-year/150,000km warranty, three years’ roadside assistance and 12-month/15,000km service intervals. Comparatively, the Mazda arrives with a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, no roadside assistance package and 12-month/10,000km service intervals.

Why should/shouldn’t I buy it?
The 124 Spider’s turbocharged 1.4-litre engine makes 125kW/250Nm – or 7kW/50Nm more than the normally-aspirated 2.0-litre MX-5. It's the torque rush that makes the difference here, giving the Abarth stronger drive from the bends and better in-gear acceleration.

Okay, there's a little turbo lag if you're lazy on the downshift, the MultiAir Turbo engine sleepy under 2500rpm. Keep the engine in its sweet-spot (say 2500-6000rpm), however, and it rewards with brisk acceleration, perfect for overtaking or a weekend gallop down your favourite winding back road.

It's also a sweet little corner carver. The electrically assisted steering is dutifully accurate and crisp in its communication to the driver. Turn-in is sharp, the double wishbone front/multi-link rear suspended chassis far quicker to tackle the body's weight as it transfers than the MX-5, giving greater reassurance to the driver and, in turn, faster cornering.

There's far less pitching under brakes, too, and the Brembos offer substantially stronger stopping power than provided by the Mazda. The 124 Spider feels sharper, more responsive and better equipped to handle higher tempo driving, even if it is a fraction stiffer over the rough stuff.

When is it available in Australia?
As we noted at the top of the yarn, the Abarth 124 Spider has been on sale since October 2016. Supply is strong, with dealers at the ready to put the wind in your hair.
We should point out that Mazda, too, has no issues with stock of its MX-5.

The extra space in the boot makes it a more realistic proposition for weekends away, though the cabin remains as tight as the MX-5's, along with the contortionist-only cup-holders and rear-centre storage box (there's no glove-box or door pockets).

The 124 Spider also comes as standard with a reversing camera, (over sensitive) blind-spot monitoring, heated seats and sat-nav, and a sportier-look steering wheel, dash-top pad, tachometer, pedals and seats.

On the downside it doesn't have the option of a folding hard-top a la MX-5 RF. Granted the manually operated soft-top is light and easy to use, but the added quiet and security of the electrically operated composite roof is a bargain for the money – and it looks pretty good too!

We also found the odd-numbered speedometer increments (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 etc.) hard to read at a glance.

Where does it fit?
It's really hard to discuss the 124 Spider without mentioning the MX-5.

Realistically, they're each other's own worst enemy.

They’re also both terrific cars. But the Abarth does offer something else the Mazda doesn't. Measuring 4054mm long (+139mm), 1740mm wide (+5mm) and 1233mm high (+3mm), the 124 Spider looks and feels like a bigger car. The wheelbase is unchanged, of course (2310mm), but that extra body length does mean there's more cargo space to be had; the Abarth offers 140 litres against the Mazda's 130.

That does, however, make the Abarth a little heavier, but only just. According to the spec sheets there's just 95kg in it, the 124 Spider tipping the scale at 1100kg (tare, manual).

Otherwise, there's really little else at this price point the Abarth or the Mazda are up against. If you forego the folding roof there is the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ. But c'mon, the folding roof is half the fun!

So, what do we think?
As an MX-5 owner it kind of hurts to admit the Abarth is a better convertible sportscar.

From the dealership floor it's a car that's far better equipped for sporty driving, the engine, brakes and chassis all delivering substantially stronger performance for not a lot more coin.

If Mazda moved to offer the Brembo brakes and Bilstein shocks it sells in other markets locally the MX-5 might stand a chance – but that still leaves the engine, and the 124 Spider has it on this front, too.

Abarth has a winner on its hands here. It's taken the MX-5 formula and, for sporty drivers, made it what it should have been all along – and for $42k I can't think of another car that's as engaging, or as much fun to drive, as this one. Winner!

2017 Abarth 124 Spider pricing and specifications:
Price: $41,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 125kW/250Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 6.5L/100km (ADR Combined) / 8.6L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 150g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A

Related reading:
>> Abarth 124 Spider Road Test
>> Abarth 124 Spider v Mazda MX-5 Comparison Test
>> Mazda MX-5 Road Test