Just the second comment on our recent drive of Mazda's new 184hp MX-5 read, "Brilliant. Can't wait for Abarth to come back with a 200bhp 124". Well, come back Fiat has, today announcing a refresh for the entire 124 range.
With the outgoing 2.0-litre MX-5 making 160hp and the current 124 producing 170hp from its turbocharged 1.4-litre engine, an output somewhere slightly south of 200hp wasn't all that unreasonable to expect. Alas, in true Fiat style the new Abarth sticks with exactly the same setup as the old, continuing to make do with its 170hp and falling behind its sister car in the process.
With the main updates taking the form of the new Monza exhaust's "unmistakable voice" and some optional racing stripes, it falls to the Italian manufacturer's decade-old hot 500 to pick up the slack.
News here is of a similarly tepid variety, however, with the Monza exhaust also taking centre stage. Where the previous active pipes opened only thanks to exhaust pressure, the new Monza system includes a dash mounted Sport button, giving the driver the option of a louder Abarth burble, even whilst waiting at the lights.
Elsewhere there are two new colour options in the form of Adrenaline Green for the 595 Competizione and Trofeo, and Asphalt Grey for the 595 Turismo. For those unclear on exactly what those monikers stand for, the 160hp Trofeo comes with 15hp more than the standard 1.4-litre 595, while the comfort-orientated Turismo - now with parking sensors, auto wipers and auto lights as standard - comes with 165hp for a 7.3 second 0-62 time.
Finally the performance-orientated Competizione produces 180hp, seeing it to 62 in 6.7 seconds, and comes with the Monza exhaust, Brembo brakes and Koni dampers as standard, with the option of carbon fibre mirror caps and front inserts from November 18th.
Not a groundbreaking set of updates on either count, then. Nonetheless the 124 proved an enjoyable experience during our time with it and will likely continue to be so, despite falling further into the shadow of the MX-5. The 595, on the other hand, has never really lived up to its potential, and is surely due for a much larger update in the not too distant future. If and when that should happen, we'll be sure to let you know.
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