Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) said the new Abarth 124 Spider will be in South African showrooms from December. The Abarth 124 Spider is targeted at a new generation of enthusiasts with its performance and technical DNA.
Brian Joss – The Abarth 124 Spider has all the qualities needed to satisfy even the most difficult-to-please drivers. Developed with the Abarth Racing team, the car embodies the brand’s values of performance, artisan craft and technical excellence. This is a car designed to put a smile back on the faces of those lucky enough to drive it. Capitalising on the lessons learnt from the Abarth racing team, the obsession for lightness drove the brand to slim down every single unnecessary gram from the car, FCA said.
Under the bonnet is a powerful, 1.4 litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with MultiAir technology. It delivers 125 kW (that is about 91 kW per litre) and 250 N.m. of torque: it has a top speed of 232 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. The engine sound is a fundamental element of all Abarth cars, and standard equipment includes the Record Monza exhaust with dual mode system capable of modifying the path of the exhaust gas according to the engine speed and generates a satisfying, deep sound.
The Abarth 124 Spider features state-of-the-art active safety electronic devices. To guarantee the typical feeling of a racing car on the track at all times, the electronics can be switched off by the driver to enable perfect mechanical balance and linear response from the engine, genuine trademarks of an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car.
The electronic controls are integrated in the Drive Mode Selector, which makes it possible to select the two different performance settings by means of a lever on the central tunnel: “Normal” and “Sport”. The first is designed for everyday driving, the second is optimised for sporty driving.
The design of the Abarth 124 spider reflects its outstanding mechanical layout (this being a key feature for achieving perfect proportions on a sports car): the stretched bonnet reasserts the importance of the engine and the power of the car, the short overhangs enhance agility and the passenger compartment close to the rear axle means that the driver can truly feel the road.
The passenger compartment/bonnet ratio is comparable to that of a racing car. A horizontal line rises, stretches back and joins with the line near the rear light cluster; an unmistakable reference to the classic Spider.
Design was developed with a focus on performance: the large air intake on the front bumper and the rear aerodynamic extractor were fine-tuned in the wind tunnel, together with the rear spoiler and the windscreen for optimising air flow.
The car is available in five colours: two pastel, “Turini 1975 White” and “Costa Brava 1972 Red”, and three metallic, “Isola d’Elba 1974 Blue”, “Portogallo 1974 Grey” and “San Marino 1972 Black”. The colours are a homage to the prestigious rally wins of Abarth also in their names.
The dashboard features a three-gauge instrument panel, with the large red tachometer arranged in central position, a speedometer on the right and a display on the left allowing the driver to monitor all key driving information at a glance.
Leather seats are supportive and keep the driver in the ideal position as low as possible. Furthermore, the controls are perfectly in line with the sporty set-up of the car: the position of the aluminium pedals, the vertical steering wheel and the short gear stick ensure a fully enthralling driving experience.
Standard equipment includes climate control system, stereo with four speakers, mp3 player, USB and AUX ports, cruise control, adjustable and electrically folded exterior rear view mirrors, the Sound Plus pack with an integrated Infotainment system that can be operated using an ergonomic, user-friendly knob on the central tunnel. It includes 7-inch colour touchscreen, two USB ports, an AUX port and Bluetooth connection features. It is combined with a Bose sound system with nine speakers, four of which are built into the head restraints.
It also features a keyless start system.
To continue the long legacy of rallying success of the brand from the 1970’s and 80’s, the Abarth 124 Rally has been developed to compete in the gruelling and exciting Italian and International Rally Championship in the Group R-GT.
With it’s 1.8l engine, the Abarth 124 Rally is an adulterated concentrate of technology and performance, the result of the experience of the Abarth Racing Team to bring the brand with the scorpion badge back onto the most glorious and challenging rally courses, from special stages where the asphalt is hotter to those made treacherous by the slippery ice, said FCA.
The Abarth 124 retails for R649 900.
