Abarth 124 GT, Fiat S-Design models revealed

Abarth has unveiled a special-edition hardtop version of the 124 Spider, ahead of a full reveal in Geneva next week.

Unlike the Mazda MX-5/Miata-aping soft-top on regular 124 Spiders, the GT packs a removable carbon-fibre hardtop and a number of lightweight touches around its exterior.

Abarth says the roof, which weighs just 16kg, helps improve the "compactness" and torsional rigidity of the car. It's lined on the inside, and the rear glass window is equipped with proper de-mister.

Although the roof can be taken off in "a few easy steps" the company hasn't detailed them. Given there's nowhere to store the roof, you'll want to be 100 per cent sure of your decision to run without the hardtop – although the folding soft-top is still fitted in case of unexpected showers.

The car rides on unique 17-inch OZ Racing wheels for a 3kg weight saving over the standard car, and there are some choice exterior modifications – including a matte-black bonnet, carbon-fibre spoiler and carbon mirror caps – to set the GT apart from the regular Abarth 124.

Power still comes from a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo making 125kW and 250Nm for a 6.8-second sprint to 100km/h. The noisier 'Record Monza' exhaust is standard on the GT, for a throaty noise befitting a compact Italian roadster.

The car will be offered with the same six-speed automatic and manual transmission options as the standard 124.

Along with the hotter hardtop 124, Geneva will play host to a trio of special Fiat S-Design models.

The 124 Spider S-Design is finished in white with red graphics, and has polished black roll bars, windscreen framing and mirror caps. There are tri-colour badges at the rear, a chrome twin exhaust, fog-lights and 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels, too.

Because it's based on Luxury-spec 124 models, the S-Design has automatic climate control, leather seats, a stitched dashboard and keyless entry. A similar exterior and interior package has been fitted to the Tipo, which we don't get here in Australia.

Power still comes from a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 105kW and 250Nm, for a 7.5-second sprint to 100km/h and 215km/h top speed.

Moving to the 500X S-Design brings about a matte exterior finish, offset with a polished steel finish on the side mouldings, door handles, front spoiler, taillight bezels and boot handle.

The headlights are also surrounded by polished steel trim, while the interior has been trimmed to match those extra touches. The seats are finished in an embroidered fabric, offset with copper-coloured logos.

At the moment, Fiat is "evaluating these products for the Australian market." The S-Design 500X detailed in Fiat's release is powered by a 127kW 1.4-litre MultiAir engine, hooked up to a nine-speed automatic gearbox – a powertrain no longer offered locally – while we don't get the Fiat-spec 124 Spider.

If it is to come, we'd suggest the S-Design trim would be offered as a package for existing 500X models in the range.

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