50 years after the birth of the Fiat 124 Spider, which is still extremely popular today, the Turin-based car manufacturer is doubling down and bringing the legend back to life with a new Spider with front engine and rear-wheel drive, the model solution for driving pleasure.
The Fiat 124 Spider (almost) 50 years ago
In November 1966, the Fiat 124 Spider made its debut at the Turin Motor Show to great acclaim. In the almost 50 years since its launch, the 124 Spider has retained its cult status among collectors and car enthusiasts alike. This model was sold on the American market for the first time in 1968. At the time, the roadster boasted a five-speed manual gearbox, twin-cam engine with 1,438 cc, disc brakes on all four wheels, intermittent windshield wipers and steering column-mounted light controls.
The 124 Spider, which evolved from the Fiat 124 mid-size sedan, was a genuine sports car with great appeal. For the design and construction of the Spider, Fiat chose the design company Pininfarina, a long-standing partner and the most renowned name among Italian coachbuilders.
The Americans loved the proportions and understated Italian design of the Spider and its waterproof top, which could be lowered quickly and easily from the driver's seat. They also appreciated the excellent visibility thanks to the glazed rear windows. In fact, the design of the 124 Spider was so successful that the car never had to be extensively redesigned during its 19-year production run and is still considered one of Pininfarina's greatest successes.
Less than 10 years after its launch on the US market, the Fiat 124 Spider was such a bestseller there that Fiat started to build the vehicle exclusively for the US market in 1975. In 1979, the vehicle was renamed the Spider 2000 in reference to its new 1,995 cc engine.
Towards the end of 1981, Pininfarina had now taken over the complete production process of the car and sales on the European market were resumed. In 1982, production of the Fiat and Pininfarina Spider overlapped, as Fiat built the last Spider 2000 models and Pininfarina began production of its own variant. These were offered in the USA as the Pininfarina Spider Azzurra and in Europe as the Pininfarina Spidereuropa. The Pininfarina Spider Azzurra was equipped with leather upholstery, stereo/cassette player and electric windows as standard.
After almost 200,000 Spider vehicles had been built, production of the model series was discontinued in 1985. Its intensive 19-year production run testifies to the fact that the Fiat 124 Spider outlived almost all of its contemporary sports car rivals - with the exception of the Alfa Romeo Spider.
More than 170,000 124 Spiders were sold in the USA between 1968 and 1985 alone and there are still 8,000 vehicles registered on American soil. With its global debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Fiat 124 Spider brings its legend back to life and hands over the iconic Italian design and performance to a new generation.
Revival of a legend
Now Fiat is bringing the Spider back and wants to bring the legend back to life. Almost 50 years after its initial launch, the Spider is returning to our roads in a new edition. The latest member of the Fiat family is equipped with the latest safety systems and, thanks to the use of new technologies, ensures maximum comfort and user-friendliness. The Fiat 124 Spider is powered by a 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo petrol engine with 140 hp. The vehicle will be available in Switzerland from the summer. Prices will be announced shortly.
The iconic design of the elements of the Fiat 124 Spider is based on the most beautiful member of the Fiat family, the original ancestor Spider, and transfers them to the requirements of the 21st century. Characteristic front and rear lights with LED technology give the car a powerful expression both by day and by night. The front direction indicators and fog lights have a dynamic effect and, in combination with the wide hexagonal radiator grille, give the front end an unmistakable character. The vehicle will be available in the "Pop" and "Lusso" trim levels. A limited special edition called "Anniversary" allows fans to get their hands on one of the first Spiders. The special edition can be recognized by a specific badge - exactly 124 units will be built.
The rear end of the Fiat 124 Spider consists of two significant features: the "seagull" section of the rear wing and the sharp-edged, horizontal tail lights - both elements found on the original Fiat 124 Spider.
Traditional craftsmanship in the interior
The entire interior is equipped with premium materials: leather (on the seats, steering wheel and gearshift), artificial leather on the door panels and instrument panel as well as soft-touch materials covering the remaining surfaces. Italian craftsmanship combines traditional heritage and modernity in the new Fiat.
The application of ergonomic principles emphasizes the driving experience and at the same time ensures user-friendly operation of the steering wheel, pedals and gearshift components. The dashboard has a unique design thanks to the painted frame and the use of soft-touch materials. The steering wheel is ergonomically designed to emphasize the driving characteristics of the vehicle and is fitted with high-quality grained leather.
Topless with style
The soft-top roof of the Fiat 124 Spider provides an open-air driving experience with simple operation. A spring mechanism assists the driver in raising the soft top from the fully open position, reducing the effort required to a minimum. This optimization process saves weight by eliminating the need for an electrically assisted system.
The Fiat 124 Spider model variant is also characterized by an exhaust system with twin tailpipes, a roll bar in a black finish as well as headers, side strips and door handles in body color. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, black premium fabric seats, halogen headlights, LED rear lights and cruise control as standard. In the interior, the soft-touch materials on the instrument panel stand out with light silver accents.
Excellent combination of high-performance engine and rear-wheel drive
Thanks to its agile handling, outstanding power-to-weight ratio, MultiAir turbo drive, the use of lightweight materials and precision engineering, the new Fiat 124 Spider shines with a dynamic driving experience that meets today's brand requirements. The Fiat 124 Spider is powered by the reliable and proven 1.4 liter MultiAir Turbo four-cylinder engine. The engine output is 140 hp (103 kW) with a torque of 240 Nm. The basic structure of the engine has not been changed: the longitudinally mounted turbo engine with four cylinders matching the aluminum base plate and four-valve cylinder heads. The MultiAir system thus enables high performance across the entire engine speed range at both low and medium loads, while keeping fuel consumption low. This 1.4 MultiAir turbo engine with manual six-speed gearbox is characterized by high reliability and shines with excellent performance across the entire rev range.
The new Spider owes much to Mazda, whose MX-5 provides the technical basis for the Fiat 124 Spider. The package of Japanese driving technology and Italian engine, mixed with a dash of Italian design, will definitely put you in the mood for next spring.