Fiat performs an Italian job on the Mazda MX-5 Miata
Sports cars are coveted by many, but purchased by few. With limited financial return, building a newsports car is a dicey proposition from a business standpoint.
That’s whyMazda and the Fiat division of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles jointly engineered theMazda MX-5 Miata and Fiat 124 Spider.
Both models share the same basic structure and are built atMazda’s plant inHiroshima, Japan. Yet each automaker has created unique styling, suspension and powertrains, resulting in two significantly different variations on the same theme.
In Fiat’s case, the half-century-old 124 Spider name has been brought back to life, with the roadster’s completely newlooks designed to evoke memories of the original. That especially applies to the grille and front and rear fenders. Additionally, Fiat chose to add bright trim around the windshield frame while theMX-5’s has been blacked out. Ultimately, the 124’s heritageinfused shape probably won’t mean much to younger buyers who will simply like what they see and nothing more.
The 124 and theMX-5 have the same distance between the front and rear wheels, but the Fiat’s overall length has been extended by 5.5 inches. Much of that is at the back end. That minuscule space is suitable for an overnight bag and perhaps a couple of attaché cases, but that’s about all.
The differences in sheetmetal likely account for a slight half-inch gain in width over theMazda. The 124 appears somewhat sleeker than theMX-5, although the Italian job has an additional 175 pounds of curb weight to contend with.
Inside, Fiat wisely choose not to tinker with the outstanding Mazdadesigned instrument panel, other than attaching its logo to the steering wheel and replacing the hand-grip shifter knob with a round ball.
The 124’s front and rear suspension is similar to theMX-5’s, but Fiat has given the Spider slightly firmer shocks, springs and uniquely tuned steering.
A sports car obviously requires a sporting powerplant and in this case Fiat’s engine selection was predictable. The 124 runs with the same turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that’s used in the tiny Fiat 500 Abarth. Since the Spider is rear-wheel-drive and not front-wheel-drive, the engine is installed lengthwise and not sideways. The turbo produces 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque in all trims, except the Abarth, which gets four more horses (same torque). TheMX-5’s non-turbo 2.0-liter fourcylinder is rated at 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet. Given the Fiat’s extra 175 pounds, the 36 pound-feet advantage is largely negated.
All 124s can be speced withMazda’s six-speed manual transmission, or optional six-speed automatic from outside supplier Aisin.
Official fuel economy with the manual is 26 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway, which is close to the Mazda’s 27/34 numbers.
Base prices are also close. The $26,000 124 Classica is $300 more than the equivalent MX-5Miata Sport and arrives with air conditioning, push-button start and 16-inch alloy wheels. The mid-range Lusso (luxury) adds climate control, heated leather seat covers, 17-inch wheels, rainsensing wipers, rear park assist and a 7-inch display.
The Abarth comes with sport seats, limited-slip differential, strut tower brace for added chassis rigidity and a sport suspension.
The Abarth can also be equipped with front and rear Brembo-brand brakes, paddle shifters for the automatic transmission and navigation with nine-speaker Bose audio system. There’s also blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection, which is almost an essential for any low-tothe-ground sports car.
Whatever your pleasure, the 124 Spider will provide plenty of reasonable-cost entertainment for you and a companion. TheMazdaMiata platform is excellent, the turbo power is at least adequate and the sexy retroinspired bodywork will appeal to just about everyone, even if they don’t know or care about the 124’s heritage.