Tweaked 2019 Fiat 124 Spider And Abarth Boast New Sights And Sounds
3
Sponsored Links
Fiat Chrysler’s Italian roadster models – the Fiat 124 Spider and 124 Spider Abarth – have received fresh new options for the 2019 model year, and while additional power output hasn’t made the list of changes like it has for the platform-sharing 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata, new choices to tweak the car’s appearance and exhaust note promise to give the two-seaters elevated appeal.
First, there are the new “Retro Stripe” and “Double Rally Stripe” options for the base Fiat 124 Spider Classica, each of which costs just $295 and adds a bit of instant pizzazz. The Double Rally Stripe option can be had in either white or red, while the funkier, more classic-looking Retro Stripe option can be ordered in either white-and-gray or red-and-gray.
Then, there’s the new “Veleno Appearance Group,” available only on the 2019 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth. “Veleno” translates to “poison” – perfectly apt for a tuning brand whose logo is of a scorpion set against a yellow-and-red crest. The package breathes fresh excitement into the Abarth’s exterior appearance with red mirror caps, a red lower fascia lip, and a red front tow hook. Inside, the carpeted floor mats are Abarth-branded, and a bright red footrest is added next to the pedals.
Four exterior colors are available with the $495 Veleno Appearance Group: Puro White Tri-Coat Pearl, Brillant White, Forte Black Metallic, and Chiaro Silver Metallic. The interior can be had in all-black, or a delightful combination of black and red.
Finally, also exclusive to the 2019 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth is the most desirable new option of them all: the “Record Monza Exhaust”. Meant to pay tribute to Carlo Abarth’s multiple speed records at Italy’s Monza circuit in 1956, the all-new stainless-steel exhaust system boasts two different flow paths with a spring-loaded diverter valve to alter the exhaust note dependent on engine load. At idle and low-throttle, the system is nice and quiet, but as soon as the driver puts their foot down, the diverter sends the exhaust gases through a more free-flowing circuit that bypasses the muffler and unleashes a characteristic “Abarth growl”. The optional exhaust system has a factory MSRP of $995 installed.
“With iconic Italian styling and segment-exclusive turbo power, the Fiat 124 Spider offers the ultimate top-down, fun-to-drive experience,” says FCA North America Head of Fiat Steve Beahm. “For 2019, we’re offering new custom options that will stand out on the road and at the track.”
Sponsored Links
No power increase, but new stripes? What the hell is Fiat thinking? All the 124 Abarth needs is 200HP, nothing else. I’m a life long Alfista, having owned three Alfas and two Fiats(’69 124 Sport Coupe and ’72 Spider since 1981. I’ve been trying to buy a new Abarth for two years, but since the 2018 cars became available, its impossible to find one in “Base” configuration with a $29K MSRP. All cars in dealer inventories have $3k to $9K in options. At $29K the 124 Abarth is a great and attractive value, at $33K to $40K, its not! That’s why 124 sales for each month of 2018 are lower than the same months in 2017. Is the cause for over optioned cars, Fiat and Dealer greed or is Mazda building them that way so they are $5K to $9K more expensive than comparable Miats ? Once again, Fiat screws up the potential of what could have been a huge sales success, a roadster as good as Miata (most successful British roadster ever build with sales numbers to prove it) but a car that a male enthusiast can drive without his manhood being questioned. I still search the dealer inventories almost daily and hope to find a basic $29K Abarth. I’m not very optimistic and starting to look at $30K used 370z’s, Z4’s and Boxsters. Why is Fiat forcing me and probably other potential 124 Abarth buyers in this direction?
I think you should consider getting a Classica and building it up. You can get into a Classica for around $24,000 if you play your cards right, add a AutoRicambi exhaust, new DV valve and a free slow air cleaner system, etc and you’ll still come in way low of $29 k…. (or look for a used low mileage Abarth someone was too big for…). Love my Classica!
Is Fiat leaving the US market? I’m shopping for a 124 Spider Abarth, I’ve visited all 4 dealerships in South Florida and find only a couple of 2019’s and several 2018’s but not the car I want. Simple, order a 2019 with the options I want. The dealership attempted to order the car and after a week comes back with the answer it wouldn’t deliver until 2020. That’s an unbelievable response unless they aren’t sending any more Fiat’s to the US and have no intention of delivering the car I wanted. Very suspicious!