New Fiat 124 Spider (USA)
The Fiat’s new 124 Spider has roughly the same starting price as the
car it’s based on, the Mazda MX-5 in the USA, at US$ 24,995, excluding a US$ 995
destination for the manual model.
In comparison, Mazda’s base 2016 MX-5
Sport with a 155 hp 2.0-liter engine and 6sp manual starts at US$ 24,915 plus an US$ 820 destination fee, while the range-topping Grand Touring model with the same
engine and gearbox is priced from US$ 30,065.
Fiat’s Italian interpretation of the
Japanese roadster comes with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Multiair
engine that produces 160 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque on the Classica and Lusso
models, and 165 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque on the Abarth, with all models offering
a standard 6sp manual and an US$ 1,350 optional 6sp automatic transmission.
With the entry level US$ 24,995 (plus US$ 995
destination) Spider Classica you get 16-inch alloy wheels, Nero (black) cloth
seats, Halogen front lights and LED tail lamps along with all the usual comfort
and safety amenities. The US$ 27,495, plus $ 995 destination,
Spider Lusso gives you 17-inch wheels, leather seats in Nero (black) or Saddle,
a leatherette-wrapped cluster brow and lower instrument panel, plus Piano Black
accents throughout.
For a little bit more, at US$ 28,195, plus US$ 995 destination, you can jump in the sportier tuned Spider Abarth, which
besides an extra 5hp, adds front and rear Bilstein sport suspension, mechanical
limited-slip differential, front strut tower bar, Sport Mode selector and
sport-tuned chrome quad-tip exhaust, plus unique front and rear fascia, 17-inch
wheels and Gun Metal exterior accents. The Abarth edition also offers the
option of a Brembo braking system and Recaro seats.
Finally, for a limited time only, Fiat
will offer 124 examples of the US$ 35,000, plus US$ 995 destination, Spider Prima
Edizione Lusso, each individually numbered with a commemorative badge and
available in the exclusive to this edition, Azzurro Italia (Blue) exterior
paint with premium leather seats in Saddle. You also get a matching blue
leather bag, journal with pen and a poster showcasing original design
illustration with vehicle dimensions, but still, that US$ 7,000 price jump over
the Lusso and Abarth is a hard pill to swallow.
