Fiat's 124 Spider Has a New, 35-pound Way to Keep the Rain Out

Fiat’s 124 Spider roadster doesn’t offer a complex “retractable fastback” like its Mazda MX-5 platform mate, but it looks like the brand isn’t satisfied offering only a soft-top version of its roadster.

There’s a new Spider crawling its way towards a Geneva Motor Show debut, and this one dons a very different hat than its siblings.

Weighing just 35 pounds, the carbon fiber hardtop shading the occupants of the upcoming Abarth 124 GT is easily installed and removed, Fiat claims. Not only that, it apparently increases the torsional rigidity of the car itself.

While it’s a classic solution for those looking for more substantial protection from the elements (and, perhaps, sound), don’t expect to order this new lid for your stock Spider. This is a special edition model, and the hardtop is a big part of what makes it special. The stock convertible top remains a part of the package.

While the Abarth 124 GT’s powertrain remains unchanged from the existing Abarth model, this variant gains 17-inch OZ Racing wheels (6.6 pounds lighter than standard rims), a special shade of light gray paint (with gunmetal-gray mirror caps), and an optional carbon fiber spoiler. It’s unlikely your average Spider owner will need the additional downforce, but should they feel like testing the car’s limits, it might just come in handy.

Fiat makes a point of mentioning the Abarth model’s 144 mph top speed. Sounds like a challenge, if you ask us.

Whether we’ll see the hard-topped Fiat on this side of the Atlantic remains to be seen, but we’ll surely see confirmation, one way or the other, next week.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]