Abarth 124 GT unveiled
Range-topping model gets carbon fibre hardtop and OZ wheels for Geneva
Not necessarily a roadster anymore, however; Abarth today announcing the release of the 124 GT. This new model will come with a removable carbon fibre hardtop - a first for the segment - adding just 16kg to the standard car's 1,060kg kerb weight. Lined with heat and sound insulating material, and with rear demisters fitted, the roof is intended to bring a touch more refinement to the rowdiness.
Second, and perhaps more importantly, the GT's roof must be stored separately when not in use. This differentiates it from the folding metal hardtop of the Mazda MX-5 RF, which isn't so cumbersome, and even the limited run launch edition models of that car topped out at £28,995, at least £3,000 less than the 124 GT will cost.
A slab of carbon fibre won't be all you get for your money though, slightly more grown-up styling signifies the car's range-topping status, while a set of lightweight OZ wheels reclaim 3kg of the sixteen added by the roof. Performance will remain the same, however, the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine still producing 170hp and 184lb ft of torque, for a 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds and a 144mph top speed.
There's no word yet on exactly when the car will arrive in UK showrooms, but more details are expected at Abarth's Geneva press conference next week. We'll be sure to keep you up to date.
My MX-5 did 0-60 in like 8 seconds and it was the most fun Ive ever had. Numbers really mean very little.
With these sorts of cars, less really is more. It really really isn't about the speed its about the interaction, which is what makes it fun.
People moaning about 0-60 or lack of hp really don't get it and maybe they would be better served by a chipped RS6 with a billion horses!
0-60 in seven seconds might sound old-fashioned when hot hatches can get there in five, but this car is really ahead of the curve — it's pure petrol-powered, snicky-gearbox, LSD, lightweight, full-of-character fun in an age of over-managed, overly-capable do-everything machinery (looking at you, Golf R). A very focused expression of motoring enjoyment we might not see again.
I know many lament the passing of the NA engine, but the spirit of old-fashioned sports cars is exquisitely captured in the 124 Spider and the flip-top roof is an essential part of that experience.
Not the best time to collect a RWD convertible!
A phase 1 remap can have these at 200bhp easily. Phase 2 around 230bhp.
Where would one get a Phase 2 remap, and how much would that be?
a smidge over 200bhp is pretty reasonable with the stock turbo on something this light, there's a Canadian guy doing a big turbo build on you tube, might be worth keeping an eye on
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE1ZSfeQcZ5N_Q4Il...
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