The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Wraps off Fiat’s pretty drop top
This, ladies and gentlemen, is Fiat’s answer to the Mazda MX-5.
Called the 124 Spider, the two seat roadster is achingly pretty and I’ll eat my driving gloves if it doesn’t sell as fast as Fiat can make them.
The wraps finally came off last week when the car enjoyed its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
Powering it will be a 1.4-litre, MultiAir, turbo-charged four-cylinder engine, which delivers 140hp.
Mated to a six- speed manual transmission, the car is capable of accelerating to 62mph in 7.5 seconds and has a top speed of 134mph.
Trim levels are still being finalised for the UK ahead of its launch in late summer or early autumn but it’s expected to start at below £20,000.
Standard equipment on all versions is expected to include four airbags, air conditioning, a leather steering wheel, cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, USB, AUX and Bluetooth connectivity and keyless start.
A seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite navigation, 17-inch alloy wheels, full LED adaptive front lights, leather upholstery, a BOSE sound system (including stereo headrest speakers), front fog lamps, climate control and different surface finishes are expected on other versions.
To mark the launch and celebrate 50 years of the unveiling of the original Fiat 124 Spider in Turin in 1966, a limited anniversary edition has been created.
Priced at £ 23,295, only 124 individually numbered examples will be available for the UK market.
This model’s unique equipment specification includes full LED adaptive headlights, seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with multimedia control knob, satellite navigation with 3D mapping, DAB radio, two USB ports, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, ninespeaker BOSE audio system, automatic lights and wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels, a premium silver finish on the door mirrors, windscreen frame and roll bars, “Anniversary Edition” numbered plaque and the 124 Spider badge on the front grille.