Abarth 124 Spider lobs from $41,990 plus ORCs

FIAT’S go-fast brand Abarth has finally revealed Australian recommended retail and driveaway pricing for its long-awaited Abarth 124 Spider.

Kicking off from $41,990 plus on-road costs or $43,500 driveaway for the 125kW/250Nm 1.4-turbo MultiAir with the six-speed manual, the Mazda-built two-seater convertible is a full $10,000 more expensive than the base MX-5 manual with a naturally aspirated 96kW/150Nm 1.5, and $7500 more than the 118kW/200Nm 2.0 version.

The pricing is more in line with the range-topping 2.0-litre MX-5 GT, which starts at $39,550 for the manual version.

The auto will add another $2000 to the pricing of the Italian-badged roadster from Hiroshima when sales commence on October 7.

Additionally, the first 100 examples will be called Launch Edition, featuring contrasting bumpers, mirror caps and a badge to signal their arrival.

The pricing comes days after the reveal of some of the Abarth 124 Spider’s key specification, which for now is limited to the 1.4 MultiAir in six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode and paddle shifters included.

Weighing in at 1060kg, both can hit 100km/h from standstill in 6.8 seconds, which is about a half-second and 1.5s better than the corresponding 2.0 and 1.5-litre MX-5s respectively.

Standard features will include a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD), sports suspension with Sport Mode, Bilstein shock absorbers, four-piston Brembo front brakes and 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 205/45R17 tyres, while leather/Alcantara-trimmed sports seats, steering wheel, and dash top point to a slightly more luxurious approach inside.

There is also an available Monza sport exhaust note switch for a rortier sound from the quad-tipped chromed pipes out back. Driving that noise is Fiat’s in-house 1.4 MultiAir four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, delivering 125kW of power at 5500rpm and 250Nm of torque at 2500rpm.

As per the donor MX-5, the chassis comprises of double wishbone front and a five-link rear suspension design, although Abarth conducted all the unique tuning.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Australia president and CEO Steve Zanlunghi said the Abarth 124 Spider’s pricing will resonate with keen drivers because of its value as much as anything else.

“The Abarth 124 Spider is not just an amazing performance vehicle, but the return of one of the world's most iconic nameplates to Australian roads,” he said.

“And we’re thrilled to reveal today that the most powerful vehicle in its class will offer incredible value in Australia, regardless of whether it’s in the performance-packed Abarth 124 Spider or the commemorative Launch Editions.” FCA Australia has ruled out introducing the non-Abarth lower-output Fiat 124 Spider models, with 103kW/240Nm from a detuned version of the 1.4 MultiAir.

More information, including complete specification and marketing elements, will be revealed closer to the October launch.

2016 Abarth 124 pricing*

Spider	$41,990
Spider (a)	$43,990

*Excludes on-road costs