Those of us who wanted to enjoy more power and a more aggressive feeling from the Fiat 124 Spider looked to the Abarth trim to have what we were looking for. Unfortunately, previous models of this car in the Abarth trim felt a bit like a letdown because of the lack of added power and growl from the car. While the Abarth trim of the Fiat 124 Spider was created to give us a sportier suspension and a drive that’s more fun, it was lacking a bit of what we wanted in this version of the car.
The Abarth Upgrades for 2019
One of the most impressive, and important, upgrades to the Fiat 124 Spider Abarth for the 2019 model year is an improved exhaust. This new exhaust is the Record Monza version which allows the car to have a more aggressive sound. This system is made of stainless steel and is made to pay tribute to the record speeds achieved by Carlo Abarth at the Monza racetrack in the 1950s. The car he used for these speeds was a modified Fiat Abarth 750 which had quad tips and a valve that maximized the exhaust flow.
Even though the Abarth model of the 124 Spider only makes ten horsepower more than the standard version, you can have more than just an improved exhaust for the new model year. There’s a new Veleno appearance package that offers you red exterior mirror caps, a red lower fascia lip, and a red front tow hook. The name Veleno is Italian for “poison” and the scorpion symbol is in place with this package of treatments. The inside of the car has carpeted floor mats and a bright footrest that highlights the signature Abarth racing heritage of this car. A new stripe package is also offered for the car to give you an amazing look you can certainly admire.
The Same Powertrain for the 124 Spider Abarth
While the exhaust and appearance trims are upgraded for the 2019 model year, the Fiat 124 Spider Abarth is the same mechanically as it was in the past. This means you’ll have a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower which is pushed to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic transmission is also available to give you a car you don’t have to shift on your own.
Affordable Italian Luxury Sportiness from Fiat
The Fiat name is one that occupies a special place in automotive history and right now, the Fiat 124 Spider is the only sports car offered that reminds us that Fiat has a right racing heritage. Thankfully, you can have the standard model of this car for less than $25,000 and if you choose the Abarth trim, you’ll still have a price that’s comes in below $30,000. This is a car that can be a lot of fun for you to drive and enjoy on the roads and even one that you might want to take to the track to let it loose.
Looking for something slightly different? Opt for the Fiat 500L.
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