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We think back to the golden days when Fiat still sold a lot of amore, style and even sportsmanship. At that time, of course, a fast convertible could not be missing in the portfolio and so it came about that the Italians brought the Fiat 1966 Spider onto the market in 124. The pretty roadster was built in various stages of development until 1985. At that time, 90 hp was still enough for brisk performance, but that is now over. In addition, the Italians let the ancestor expire in 1985 without giving him a worthy successor. Fiat continued to segregate sporty models until the Abarth label was revived. That has now come to an end: The new Fiat 124 Spider wants to pick up where the old model left off and, in addition to the typical “dolce vita” feeling, also doesn't neglect the puristic driving pleasure. And that works perfectly - even without the Abarth badge.
Nowadays, it is almost unthinkable that a successful model does not get a worthy successor. But in the middle of the 1980, the era of the beautiful Italian Cabriolets ended abruptly. Although there was the Fiat Barchetta in the middle of the 1990er year, which was even quite successful, but he did not quite fit into the scheme of the 124. This changed with the introduction of the new Fiat 124 Spider, which is on 18. June took place. What a blessing! After all, the little Italian not only wants to score with his looks, but also with his handling qualities. But first let's take a look at the sheet metal dress of the new Roadster.
Design - careful retro chic
The 124 Spider flirts fresh and modern with the outside world, but does not fail to fall back on a little retro charm. Why not, after all, it works perfectly with the Fiat 500. But the roadster is not built so close to history, but skilfully relies on similarities to the classic. These can be seen, for example, on the front, which with its almond-shaped headlights wants to imitate the spotlights of the original model. The separated indicators also fit into this picture and frame the hexagonal grille, which is also reminiscent of the Ur-124. Added to this is the Fiat coat of arms, which stems from a historical logo and shows a confident size.
Memories are also awakening the sideline of the new Italian: Although you can the new Fiat 124 Spider classic roadster proportions - a long bonnet lot and a short tail - ascribe, but here are stylistic elements of the oldies. For example, the elegant hip swing, starting from the door handle to the tail lights, reminiscent of the original model. Just a pity that he goes down - depending on the color - something. At the rear calls Fiat as a parallel the horizontally mounted taillights, but that seems a bit far-fetched.
However, the self-reliance of the Roadster is nice, after all he does not only have Italian genes in himself. Based on the current Mazda MX5 - and does the Fiat 124 Spider really well, as far as the skilful proportions and the concept. Thus, the open two-seater offers about a useful boot, in which you can transport two Wasserkisten. In addition, the seating position fits: Both large, as well as small on the chairs pleasant place. Unfortunately, the steering wheel is not adjustable in width, but only in height, but that can be overcome quite quickly.
Interior - like a leather glove
So you take on well-cut leather seats, which belong to the Lusso equipment - so the higher of the two current equipment variants - place. The armchairs offer a good compromise of sporty support - which might be more pronounced for my taste - and comfort. And otherwise, all controls are easily accessible: the gear knob almost falls into the hand and even the infotainment, which comes from the Japanese platform dispenser, can be used blind after a short familiarization. It's a pity that the volume control is also on the center console and not on the dashboard, because you intuitively like to miss it. But the familiarization is short and as an alternative is still the easy-to-use multifunction steering wheel ready. Otherwise, the Italians have not changed much compared to the MX5. The materials should be finer and the ambience more "Emozione" offer. Of that you do not notice very much, as well as the Mazda provides a very decent base. However, there is a lack of shelves for everyday trinkets. The cell phone? Remains better in your pocket thanks to the Bluetooth connection. Otherwise it flies out of the compartment in the center console and thus around the interior. In addition to this compartment of the Fiat offers a few shelves in the center console, but these are quite small and not necessarily practical to achieve. The Fiat 124 Spider dispenses entirely with a glove box.
From the practical side, however, the 124 shows itself in the roof construction. No, the soft top doesn't have an electric drive - and that's a good thing, as a charismatic politician used to say. To open it simply means: pull the lever and simply throw the light construction backwards. Then lock with a gentle jerk - done. The closing process is just as easy and can be done in "lightning speed". It takes about five to seven seconds to open or close, depending on the urgency. An electric convertible top should imitate that, especially since it weighs a few pounds more.
Driving impressions - Born to drive
But the 124 Spider does not have to worry about its weight. He throws something over 1.100 kg into play. Of course, the 140 PS have an easy game and push the roadster forward. Together with the agility-enhancing rear-wheel drive, this results in fleet performance. From a standstill on Tempo 100, the two-seater needs just 7,5 seconds and lets it stop at 217 km / h. But these Stammtisch values are not what makes the Italian.
Since the wind deflector was quite small, blowing the wind at a brisk pace vehemently into the vehicle interior. OK then! So you feel much closer to the nature and the driving experience and is not as much decoupled from the action, as you know it from other vehicles. And to enjoy as much as possible, I recommend Zwischenspurts on angled country roads. The 1.4 liter turbo pushes its 240 Nm at around 2.200 revolutions per minute on the rear axle and makes overtaking on the highway a real pleasure. It roars the Fiat 124 Spider pleasantly and clearly from its two tailpipes. In my opinion, it should be quiet more impetuous - but sponge over it. The solution to this is a courageous grip on the gear knob of the six-speed gearbox. Dry and clean, the aisles move into their lanes, requiring only short distances. That's exactly how you want a circuit.
Especially as the 1.4er wants to be kept happy. With 30 km / h in third gear to climb a mountain road in the Rheingau? That will be difficult. So quickly down a gear and let the engine turn around 5.000 tours before you try the next gear. On the way you dissect almost telepathically the next corner, as the steering becomes one with the driver and his popometer. Clean, the Fiat 124 Spider pulls its way and offers pleasant restoring forces coupled with a clean feedback. The Italian does not annoy with nervousness, but offers exactly the right dose of precision that one desires. Added to this is the rear-wheel drive: heart-warming into the curve - and jagged - the tail moves outwards for a millisecond, before the electronics gently intervene. A wonderful pleasure.
Prices - easy to digest
It is also wonderful that this driving pleasure seems quite affordable. Fiat requires 23.990 euros for the already properly equipped base. It offers niceties such as air conditioning, an MP3-compatible radio, 16-inch alloy wheels or a cruise control system. The "Lusso" version costs 26.490 euros and has leather upholstery, automatic air conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels and an upgraded look. The recommended infotainment adds another 1.000 euros. So you are there with around 27.500 euros. Sounds like a lot, especially since Mazda offers the MX5 with the 131 hp 1.5 liter unit from 22.590 euros. But this naturally aspirated engine looks less sporty. The Fiat 124, however, offers with the turbo - when it gives off its full thrust - a more emphatic forward thrust. This relativizes the moderate surcharge for the Italian and shows that Fiat has made a really good roadster.
Photos: Marc Frauendorf