2017 Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth: Sensuous Italian Loses Passion on Boat Over the Ocean
After teasing Americans from a distance at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month, a production version of a meaner Fiat 124 Spider has been unveiled by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in advance of its New York premiere.
The 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth is a mouthful to pronounce, but the Old World name should help add some metaphysical distance between this massaged roadster and its Mazda MX-5 Miata underpinnings.
At Geneva, the word was that the Abarth version of the Spider would benefit from a 10 horsepower boost, but that’s sadly not the case on this side of the Atlantic — or Pacific, since it’ll be built in Japan. Both Spiders will share the same turbocharged MultiAir 1.4-liter four-cylinder, mated to a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic, the latter outfitted with paddle shifters in the Abarth.
A sport mode allows wannabe racers to prime the Elaborazione Abarth for better performance if the feeling hits them. One press of the button re-writes the feedback a driver can expect from the vehicle’s engine, (automatic) transmission, steering and suspension.
Powertrains aside, the Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione takes full advantage of the Abarth goodies bag to differentiate itself from its boulevard-bound sibling. Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, Bilstein front and rear shocks and a mechanical limited-slip differential ensure the vehicle stays planted — and the driver, too.
The exterior clearly intends to telegraph the spiritual difference between the Abarth and lesser Spiders. Matte black paint coats the hood, lower fascia and rockers, while gunmetal grey 17-inch aluminum wheels and a quad chrome-tipped exhaust suggests this Italian is a fighter, not a lover.
The 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth and its stock siblings are expected to filter into grateful dealerships this summer, and not a moment too soon.
[Image: FCA US LLC]
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I have never really swallowed the mystique of Abarth ... cost mostly seemed to exceed value by a pretty significant margin. This exercise is typical, I reckon. I continue to have mixed feelings about FIAT rebadging a Mazda, hope it works out for Mazda. My dollars are staying in my pocket until either they hit it with the HP stick or until depreciation does its thing. A Mazdaspeed treatment like what they did to the 3 would be ideal -- subtle visually, unmistakable dynamically.
In my opinion, grafting the original 124 styling cues onto a Mazda Miata doesn't work. They may as well have festooned the Miata with bumper bombs and fins. (Here in Pennsylvania, I have actually seen an early Miata with '59 Caddy fins, so it's not out of the question!)