Mazda’s MX-5 Miata has been holding down the affordable-roadster fort for some time now, but the iconic Japanese droptop has now lent its guts to give life to a new rival: the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider. This new Italianite shares its chassis with the Mazda, and we now know that its turbocharged engine and supposed European character will cost extra. But not much extra: Starting at $25,990 for the base Classica model, the 124 is just $255 more than the cheapest MX-5 Miata Sport.
For that coin, you do get slightly more power and torque than the MX-5, thanks to the Fiat’s 1.4-liter turbo-four that puts out 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is standard, with a six-speed automatic offered as a $1350 option. The Classica is also decently equipped, coming standard with Bluetooth, a USB port, 16-inch wheels, pushbutton start, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
If you want more leather adorning the interior of your 124 Spider, you’ll have to step up to the Lusso trim level, which starts at $28,490. In addition to leather heated seats and more leather trim for the dashboard, the Lusso also gains automatic climate control, chrome exhaust tips, 17-inch wheels, automatic headlights, fog lights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 7.0-inch infotainment screen with a backup camera. The manual transmission is still standard, with the automatic again available as an option.
Things start to get more interesting with the performance-oriented Fiat 124 Spider Abarth, which starts at $29,190. That’s a slight discount compared to the Miata’s roughly equivalent Club trim level, which is $29,490. Like the MX-5 Club, the Abarth comes standard with Bilstein dampers, a limited-slip differential, and front strut-tower bar. But the Abarth does have a few special talents of its own: a tuned exhaust for a better sound and—contrary to what we heard before—a bit of extra power, as the 1.4-liter is up 5 hp for a total of 165. What we don’t know is how much the Abarth’s optional upgrades, which include Brembo brakes and Recaro seats, will cost. We assume that the majority of Abarth buyers will opt for the six-speed manual, but the $1350 automatic will be offered here as well.
For the Italian roadster enthusiast who wants a bit of exclusivity, the first 124 Fiat Spiders will be a limited run of Prima Edizione Lusso models that come specially equipped with an exclusive Azzurro Italia blue exterior hue and a Saddle leather interior. The lucky few willing to shell out a heady $35,995 for these rare Fiats will also get commemorative badging and goodies like a blue leather bag, a journal, a pen, and a poster. Fiat hasn’t yet detailed how the ordering process for the Prima Edizione cars will work, but expect to hear more soon when the 124 goes on sale this summer.
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