Raising the

Drives Fiat’s new roadster, the 124, and finds out what’s beneath that Italian chic

Fiat’s 124 might share its name – and a few styling cues – with 1967’s European Car of the Year but the lightweight two-seater roadster launched last year owes its existence to a Japanese legend, namely the MX-5.

The 124 is broad and muscular, but not overly aggressive, with the expansive bonnet, low-slung cockpit and long wheelbase lending it a classic roadster look.

The Fiat is bigger than the Mazda – the front and rear overhangs on the Italian extend a little further beyond the wheels – but the two cars do not share a single body panel.

The cabin is almost a direct transplant of the MX-5’S interior. The biggest giveaway is the seven-inch infotainment screen atop the dashboard, an option on the entry level Classica.

It’s a system that’s easy to use either with touch or using the command dial which is a little inconveniently tucked away under your left elbow

The top-of-the-range Lusso Plus is equipped with a Bose stereo with nine speakers, including four in the headrest.

By refraining from fiddling with the interior too much – apart from subtle revisions to the upholstery on the seats and dashboard in an attempt to move the 124 upmarket – Fiat has inherited a well-organised, well-built and thoughtfully laid out cabin.

The steering wheel is adjustable for rake only, but the driving position is excellent.

The manual roof mechanism is an absolute delight. Just a single latch releases the hood from the windscreen frame and dropping it is a one-handed operation. Raising it is just as simple.

The 1.4-litre Multiair turbocharged engine produces 138bhp enough to bring 62mph up in just 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 134mph.

The six-speed manual gearbox has a nice positive, clean action and well-judged gear ratios and the brakes are nice and progressive with good feel.

The ride is softer than the MX-5, more compliant. That’s not to say the 124 can’t handle being chucked through a few tight and twisty bends, nor that it’s incapable of rewarding more enthusiastic drivers.

What becomes obvious as you spend more time in the 124 is that it is, primarily, a long-distance cruiser. It’s response to undulations in the road surfaces is considered, calm and relaxed. It’s the same regardless of the ground that you’re covering.

The Fiat 124 is a distinctive car, on the surface, at least. Scratch away, however, and you’ll find more than a little of a Japanese roadster lurking underneath.

While designers have gone to great lengths to put some distance between the Italian and its donor car on the outside the interior is a very different matter.

On the whole the 124 does everything it needs to, and does them well.

It’s softer, less direct and more compromised than its Japanese half-sibling, but has other virtues force is back into contention, such as its compliant, comfortable ride, slick gearbox and competence as a mile-munching cruiser.

It might not be the keenest of drives, but it’s more than enough for all but the keenest of drivers.