[124 Spider News]

Fiat recently debuted the U.S. spec Abarth-tuned version of the 124 Spider at the New York Auto Show and it’ll come with an unnecessarily complicated name.

Officially called the Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth, it will have the same turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine as the Euro Spec Abarth Spider but tuned to produce only 160 hp and 184 lb.-ft of torque. Unfortunately, that puts it on the same power level as the standard 2017 U.S. spec 124 Spider which also has an output of 160 hp and 184 lb.-ft of torque.

The Europe Abarth model makes 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque from the same engine. Fiat spokesperson Angela Bianchi explained to Autoblog that “the engine of the EMEA [Europe, the Middle East and Africa] Abarth Spider has unique tuning developed according to European regulations, so the [horsepower] number is different."

Another difference are the Brembo brakes. In Europe the brakes come standard but across the pond, those brakes are optional and probably comes at an additional cost.

Other than those listed differences, the two models are identical. Both Europe and U.S. Abarth Spiders can be paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Suspension is the same with stiffer mono-tube Bilstein front and rear shocks and you’ll still get the Sport Mode button.

The 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Elaborazione Abarth will be hitting showroom floors this summer and the pricing should be revealed closer to the sale date.

 

[Greg]

The big question for me is, should I get the Abarth, or the base model and spend the extra money on more upgrades. A big factor will be the price difference. I don't think the Abarth should be much more as it doesn't give us a lot.

Greg

 

[brucewinter]

From Jolly, credible or not?
Well It's official, the Ebarth is not the official full on 124 Abarth. In a press release translated from Italy today we have learned their actual plans. Here is the translation below:

At a press conference today in Turin Fiat executive Roberto Bertanelli revealed that the both the The European market 124 Abarth and the US market Evoluzione Abarth are intermediate models placed below the top of the line Abarth Competizione model.

The big surprise is that the 124 Abarth Competizione will feature the 2.9 liter twin turbo V6 from the Alfa Romeo Giulia detuned to 485 horsepower. "It's a natural fit" says chief project engineer Ernesto Gubanaro. The 2.9 weights only 45 pounds more than the iron block 1.4 due to it's superior architecture and it's shorter which allows it to sit farther back in the chassis." He goes on to mention that the package includes a heavy duty transmission and differential from an undisclosed source. We think it's likely these are also modified Giulia units. Mr Gubanaro explains that it's detuned to 485 horsepower to keep it below the iconic 500hp mark which will be reserved for Alfa Romeos, although he says there will be a competition spec version for off road use and we were told by more than one executive that they have already boosted it up to over 700 horsepower in track only testing.

Pricing will start at just over 55,000 euros and about 50,000 usd in North America. Only 500 units will be built per year and Fiat will start taking pre-orders today.

 

[Greg]

Ahm, I wrote that. It's an April fool's post. HOWEVER, it's still a **** good idea! Thanks for checking the Jolly page though! I promise some updates in the next 7 days that WILL be meaningful to prospective owners of these cars.

Greg

 

[davhamm]

Arg, Greg you got me. Not that I would be buying one. But thought it was cool.

 

[Greg]

My team and I will be at Fiat on the Dragon next week. There will be at least one insider there I will be able to speak with, so I should be able to get some real news to share soon.

Greg

 

[ItsyBitsy]

Lol, can't trust anything posted on April 1st even if it could potentially be real. I wouldn't mind a 485 horsepower E-abarth Spider but I doubt it'll cost more than $55k for one.

If you see an insider, ask them why we have to pay for Brembo when it's standard in Europe.

 

[Greg]

If you see an insider, ask them why we have to pay for Brembo when it's standard in Europe.

Well, In fairness to Fiat, we don't yet know what they are charging us. If the price is lower and the Brembos are an option, I think that's just fine. I would rather have upgraded brakes on all four wheels anyway.

Greg