Why does this abarth have a fiat emblem at the steering wheel? No metal abarth plate in the interior no scorpion on the center in the interior missing an extra emblem on the exterior. Do american abarths not feature these small details?
Love our 124 Spider Abarth. Bought a bottle of Tylenol from Costco today. My dear wife and I had to put it in the trunk! Welcome to the wonderful world of sports cars.
Angel Gutierrez for newer cars, the clutch is much lighter and aren't too bad to drive in traffic. You don't even have to press the gas to get the car moving, just slowly let off the clutch.
Fredeamusic but we still have to go to the fiat garage to get the Arbarth Model. It's not a brand. It's a spec skew, with a higher output. This video done my head in, he needs to change gear. Sound like he just Sat in 3rd the whole time. Also the chosen road isn't great, you want a good uk back road to enjoy a small sports car. That is more like a normal uk A road.
Hahaha! Jason every time you put your foot down, your smile gets wider! W = k * a W = width of smile k = Car fun factor a = acceleration m/s^2 [alternative form uses R, RPM] Great video! ATB, Rob
Apparently a no mods tune (Tork/OFT/EuroC) really handles that 'boost lag' and wake this car up. (To the tune of 25hp/20tq, or so.) Throw in a GFB DV+ to better hold boost and it should be quite fun.
What is the point of having peak torque earlier in sport mode? In sporty driving, one would keep it well above 3200rpm most of the time, so what is the point of earlier torque? More like "driving normally and caring less about gas mileage" mode
Da G I think your confusing the addition of torque at lower rpm for sacrificing torque higher up for it: it's probably just a blow off valve not engaging earlier in the rpms as it would for regular driving where boost just kills economy.
I'm not sure this car would be for me but if I was at a track day with this car I certainly would like to have more torque below 3200 RPM if I was in a hairpin or chicane and coming out.
Da G because getting max torque earlier is more fun. You don't buy a car like this because you value practicality and gas mileage, you buy it because it's fun to drive even in your normally boring commute. In any case, the lower the RPM for max torque the less turbo lag. I call that a win.
That Abarth tuned engine just sounds awesome when rowing through the gears in the canyons around LA. While this engine might not have the longevity of the Mazda, and the car probably won't hold its value like the Miata, I think the Fiat 124 Abarth is more fun and better looking. The exhaust sound sounds very Italian, almost like a budget Ferrari. A rare occurrence these days, to find a turbocharged engine with a satisfying exhaust note.
I added a Flying Miata active exhaust ( butterfly valve ) & love the way my 2016 MX-5 Club soft top sounds. It can be quiet when I'm not on the throttle. Naturally aspirated means instant throttle response which I love ! Plus my MX-5 does winter duty in 4 season weather too !
The Fiata has a silly power figure compared to the MX-5, but it does have a turbo physically present, so tunes that bump power are a given and easy to install. Most 500 guys are running at least 200 wheel horse power with a tune, with the highest phase netting you 221 at the wheels. Not bad for a 1.4L 4 cylinder. Given this has proper rear wheel drive it should be amazing to run when it's properly powered up.
164 vs 160 HP!? Better torque is nice but the Saturn Sky Redline and Pontiac Solstice GXP both had the 2.0L LNF engine rated at 260 HP and 260 TQ with no turbo lag back in 2007, 2008. And those cars handled great. This is supposed to be better?
Shane Broussard there were also a 177 cv version. This car launched last year so hopefully they are gonna release a more powerful one like they did with all other vehicles they made
Shane Broussard the Saturn drive is uninspiring, looks uninspiring And Sounds uninspiring....... Sure power is good.......... But only one good quality compared to many more bad ones.....
@@ejaz5429 As many owners will atest, the honeymoon period is infinite.. absolutely hold no reservations, go for it. Just make sure you buy a manual, would also suggest the recaro seats. Check out the facebook owners' forums if u want more specific info.. lot's of happy buyers who rave day after day. mine is a daily too
@@ejaz5429 great! Be sure to post your impressions. i've had lots of sport coupes from lancias, fiats to rx7's and the 124 abarth is a very sweet n raw driver.. btw id also recommend the monza exhaust.. must have if within yr budget or as a proposition to seal the deal
I owned a 1970 and then a 1974 Fiat Syyder years ago. Horrible reliability but a joy to drive. Wouldn't mind trying again but since I've added a little weight (or more) since then, not sure my old frame will fit too well. Good review, thanks.
@@human6593 The engine / exhaust /wheels most interior parts are Fiat parts. Discontinued Fiat parts. The glass windshield / side door windows are Mopar parts. The infotainment system / some interior parts are Mazda. Oil changes are a PITA as its an element type & it located under the intake pipe / plus its bottom is pointed to the hood. Not exactly a friendly DIY type design. I test drove a 2017 Fiat 124 Spyder Abarth the day before I test drove a MX-5 Club soft top - its clutch is much heavier & I noticed it in stop / go traffic - not fun ! The throttle response is delayed & I didn't like that feeling. Its nice to have a choice in affordable roadsters but as much as I tried to like the 124 Spyder Abarth it was the 2016 MX-5 Club soft top with the Brembo / BBS package that won me over. Its been 6 years now as a daily driver that I change the oil & wheel / tires for the seasonal weather. It handles really well in snow / ice plus has seen many sub zero temperatures in winter. A great car in Mazda MX-5 form.
Well, every Fiat I have didn't have all those problems people over me are talking about. Especially the engine, has 170k km and is still as new. Other thing is in our company we use fiat trucks and some have nearly 23 yo, still no huge problems
I'm thinking of buying a car ith a 2.0 litre turbo petrol engine - 6 speed auto, max 165 kw power but I'm concerned @ low revs i only a have a 2 litre engine. Is there a device that stores exhaist gas while engine is at idle then releasing this pressurised gas to spin the turbo when you touch the accelerator ?
You should talk about the quarter mile 0 to 60 curb weight & things of that sort.. The manufacturer specs n claimed acceleration times would b great! Good review tho! Thank u
isn't the throttle feeling a matter of a decent mapping? in other words a matter of fiat having put in the time to dial in the whole throttle position/revs thing?
Oh wow, it looks so much better in red than in those 2-tone colors. I still like the drive of the 1.6 liter MD the best, super light and fun to rev out the gears. Gonna get me one of those when I hit my mid-life crisis.
I couldn't afford a midlife crisis, but I was able to get this exact car in my late life crisis! Having a ball with it! It's one of the most fun cars to drive that I have ever owned and I'm 64! I have had no negative comments about it. When people see it in person, they love it!
@@inspectorchicken Not at all. You get used to it. I'm 67. I drive in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Riverside County all the time. Believe me! I set in heavy traffic on a regular basis Iv'e had way more manuals than automatics. It also depends on what you're going to do with the vehicle. I wouldn't buy a minivan with a manual transmission. My 68 Chevelle still has a Darryl Young modified 700 R4 with a matched furnace brazed converter from Continental Los Angeles. I kept the Chevelle very period modified. For that time period the big block with a roots blower works better with an automatic. If I did it all over today, I would use a supercharged LS7 with a prepped T T56 Magnum XL.
No its not. The 595/695 uses the T-Jet engine. The Spider has the more complicated MultiAir motor, which won several prices. But the tuning market is very small for it, and tuning is not very easy. However I have seen a lot of cars having around 215 hp.
Jason, can you explain exactly what the "Sport" mode does? It delivers peak torque at a lower RPM, but what is it actually doing in the engine to accomplish this?
Silverman The Abarth 500 looks and sounds ok, but it's awful to drive. The steering wheel seems to be connected to the wheels via a stick of celery, the gear change feels like it's been connected using soggy pasta and the suspension damping makes a space hopper look sophisticated. A shame, because it could have been a proper little bundle of fun.
What did you think about the sound the exhaust? The reason why I ask is that the spider 124 abarth available in Europe get the awesome record monza exhaust system found in the fiat 500 abarth. Unfortunately, the north american spider 124 abarth does not come with this exhaust system. Would be curious to hear your thoughts on the exhaust.
Ahsan Syed 2 different cars, the car sold in Europe is the Abarth 124 spider, the US car is the Fiat 124 Abarth, one is an Abarth, one isn’t. There isn’t a huge difference between them in reality, a few bhp in Europe’s favour, more Abarth badges in Europe, and the exhaust. Plus the Europe car is assembled in Italy.
Jason@engineeringexplained : how tall are you? Was it comfortable driving it-or did your scrape your knees a lot? My height is about 6' and I can't see myself being able to own a car like this one or the MX-5 :-)
A buddy of mine drives a dodge dart rallye. Same engine making 160 hp in a chassis that weighs over 600 pounds more than the spider, of course with front wheel drive. With some light modification, he's got it set up to where it feels like your colon is about to prolapse on accelerating. I would absolutely love to own one of these if the feeling is anything close to that.
How does this car have a turbo but still have garbage HP? Might as well go with the Miata that has slightly less HP but no extra Turbo to mess with or provide maintenance on.
I feel like adding a turbo was lost with so little power. If this thing had 200hp it would sell like hotcakes. As it stands, it isn't worth ruining the naturally aspirated character of the miata's engine for 10 more horsepower and the torque a bit sooner.
TheJacobShapiro low end torque is vital for fast acceleration. When people talk about muscle car era engines, few people realize that stock, the 440, 454, 427s, in chevelles, chargers, etc all lost in drag racing to the Buick 455, all while having more hp, because the Buick had 510 ft/lbs. It just isn't as revered because a comparable Buick car was a lot more expensive than its cousins. That said the Buick 455 was also the lightest big block during the muscle car era, and not by a small margin. Anyway, point being, for lower starting speed acceleration, torque is king. That said, horsepower and torque as units of measure aren't in the same area, one is simply force, or mechanical pressure, the other is a measurement of force per distance over a period of time. Literally, torque is just twisting force, horsepower is being able to lift 550 lbs exactly 1 foot in exactly 1 second. That's why you use torque per rpm to measure hp. Hp= (torque x rpm)/5252
I own a 500 Abarth with the same engine, and didn't know that the sport button lowered the torque peak. Is this something new or does it apply to all of the 1.4 MultiAir Turbos?
I can't wait till I get a job at FCA, I really want to revamp the way the Abarth brand is produced for the Americas. We are being neglected when it comes to a sporty "go-cart"
"No matter how much you spend, you never get to experience lightweight vehicles like these". Well, there are some, Caterham, Lotus, the Alfa Romeo 4C... it's just that the prices start to twice as much as the Miata/124's, but they are definitely there (for now, at least...).
This car is amazing looking but they have got to put some power under the hood... what happened to seeing numbers like 260 hp from a Saturn Sky Redline?
They will probably release an 124 Abarth Esse Esse, with more power. Yet its an Abart, its not about peak power, its about what you could do with the power, how better will it handle and brake.
Because of emission regulation. If you drive around in normal mode the car has less horse power and doesnt respond so fast to the throttle. It helps in saving fuel and emissions. If you press the sport button however, whole diffrent story. I always drive in sports mode.
The selling point is that id doesn't have the ND transmission which is known to have some serious issues (that is, blowing apart). Drawback, its a Fiat/Chrysler which will kill any resale.
The MultiAir engine has proven its reliability. It is used in many Fiat models since 2014. A very modern, very complicated engine. But reliable as far as we can say. The only issue I had with that car after one year was with the rooftop, which is a Mazda part of all things. ;-)
It depends on your needs, I personally own an NA. If you're about that pure raw driving joy go for the NA If you want it a bit softer and safer go for the NB The NB weights around 100kg more, there is a common sentence that really suits the best: "The NA is the better Miata while the NB is the better car" I hope this can help you a bit, no matter which one you choose you'll definetly have a load of fun with it! :)
Adrian Vega the only competitor I see is the MX5. Then above this category comes the 718, Alfa Romeo 4C and TTRS etc. 2017 Mustang GTs can be found for 30-35k on dealer lots but they're a different kind of fun imo.
It's a real shame that they didn't make it an alfa like it was originally supposed to. That is assuming that they would have let alfa style it of course.
Helloooooo everyone...... and i click "like" :D By the way: Why isnt the ABARTH Logo on the steering wheel? I'm confused. :-O Aaand i still dont know which one to buy: Nex MX5 184hp or Abarth for now 30k€ new. :-/
Just bought a Classica m/t last week. I love this car so much. Not much room at 6'3", but it's such a joy to drive.
It's been a year now but how has reliability been? I'm thinking about getting one but am concerned about the Fiat engine
I am also 6'3" and was worried I would not all! Looking at a used Abarth 124 soon
I absolutely love those! Especially the Abarth 124 R-GT. ❤️
I see a man grinning ear to ear for six plus minute discussing a car while driving it. It must be a damn decent car.
Why does this abarth have a fiat emblem at the steering wheel? No metal abarth plate in the interior no scorpion on the center in the interior missing an extra emblem on the exterior. Do american abarths not feature these small details?
Canadian and US spec Abarths miss out on all those cool touches. We don't get the record monza exhaust either.
I don't think you have to drive with the hood up either, like they did with the old Fiat 500 Abarth. Of course that was the rear engine car.
That is not true. Abarths here do have the Steering wheel emblem, etc. Just that particular car doesn't.
My dealer has 5 Abarth 124s on the lot, all of them have fiat badged steering wheels
Then, again. We also get a better engine with a bigger turbo but not the amazing koni suspension on the Competizione.
Love our 124 Spider Abarth. Bought a bottle of Tylenol from Costco today. My dear wife and I had to put it in the trunk! Welcome to the wonderful world of sports cars.
Your reviews always get better and better
Whoa..164 HP versus 160 in the baseline?
They are really pushing the envelope at Fiat.
here in europe, abarth is a brand not a model of a car, and we get 180hp!
llamawizard No. manuals in traffic is a nightmare.
Angel Gutierrez for newer cars, the clutch is much lighter and aren't too bad to drive in traffic. You don't even have to press the gas to get the car moving, just slowly let off the clutch.
Fredeamusic but we still have to go to the fiat garage to get the Arbarth Model. It's not a brand. It's a spec skew, with a higher output.
This video done my head in, he needs to change gear. Sound like he just Sat in 3rd the whole time. Also the chosen road isn't great, you want a good uk back road to enjoy a small sports car. That is more like a normal uk A road.
its 140 for the 124 spider and 170 for the abarth in germany
I'm really impressed with how clearly you can be heard over the wind noise, and you even have the top down! Please tell me your microphone secrets :)
Hahaha! Jason every time you put your foot down, your smile gets wider!
W = k * a
W = width of smile
k = Car fun factor
a = acceleration m/s^2 [alternative form uses R, RPM]
Great video! ATB, Rob
Apparently a no mods tune (Tork/OFT/EuroC) really handles that 'boost lag' and wake this car up. (To the tune of 25hp/20tq, or so.) Throw in a GFB DV+ to better hold boost and it should be quite fun.
what a great review, you hit on.everything i needed to know. Well done.
Good review. Pleasant bright reviewer. Good coverage and great cinematography. Nice. I'm a big fan of these cars.
What is the point of having peak torque earlier in sport mode? In sporty driving, one would keep it well above 3200rpm most of the time, so what is the point of earlier torque? More like "driving normally and caring less about gas mileage" mode
Da G I think your confusing the addition of torque at lower rpm for sacrificing torque higher up for it: it's probably just a blow off valve not engaging earlier in the rpms as it would for regular driving where boost just kills economy.
I'm not sure this car would be for me but if I was at a track day with this car I certainly would like to have more torque below 3200 RPM if I was in a hairpin or chicane and coming out.
you're thinking of the wastegate, not the BOV. Wastegate limits boost pressure
Da G seriously, don't get what's sporty about it haha
Da G because getting max torque earlier is more fun. You don't buy a car like this because you value practicality and gas mileage, you buy it because it's fun to drive even in your normally boring commute.
In any case, the lower the RPM for max torque the less turbo lag. I call that a win.
That Abarth tuned engine just sounds awesome when rowing through the gears in the canyons around LA. While this engine might not have the longevity of the Mazda, and the car probably won't hold its value like the Miata, I think the Fiat 124 Abarth is more fun and better looking. The exhaust sound sounds very Italian, almost like a budget Ferrari. A rare occurrence these days, to find a turbocharged engine with a satisfying exhaust note.
I added a Flying Miata active exhaust ( butterfly valve ) & love the way my 2016 MX-5 Club soft top sounds. It can be quiet when I'm not on the throttle. Naturally aspirated means instant throttle response which I love ! Plus my MX-5 does winter duty in 4 season weather too !
What state is this in? The weather almost always looks cloudy or rainy, which I love.
Sweet ride! This review pretty much sums up what I love about my Mini Cooper S Coupe: light, peppy and fun.
The Fiata has a silly power figure compared to the MX-5, but it does have a turbo physically present, so tunes that bump power are a given and easy to install. Most 500 guys are running at least 200 wheel horse power with a tune, with the highest phase netting you 221 at the wheels. Not bad for a 1.4L 4 cylinder. Given this has proper rear wheel drive it should be amazing to run when it's properly powered up.
164 vs 160 HP!? Better torque is nice but the Saturn Sky Redline and Pontiac Solstice GXP both had the 2.0L LNF engine rated at 260 HP and 260 TQ with no turbo lag back in 2007, 2008. And those cars handled great. This is supposed to be better?
Shane Broussard there were also a 177 cv version. This car launched last year so hopefully they are gonna release a more powerful one like they did with all other vehicles they made
Dude, power to mass ratio. Fiat/Miata is 300kg lighter. Totally different experience.
In my book, a sports car or a high-performance car should have a least a 100HP per liter NA and At least 50% more if it has a turbo.
It's all about how the Abarth makes you feel. You should really drive one.
Shane Broussard the Saturn drive is uninspiring, looks uninspiring And Sounds uninspiring....... Sure power is good.......... But only one good quality compared to many more bad ones.....
I have that exact car. ^-^ Love every day behind the wheel.
Drummer Man yeh the fanboys can say what they want..i love mine too, always a thrill to drive..abarth nailed this package
@@LLSicilia curious about your thoughts 3 years later! Contemplating buying one as a daily driver before they stop selling them.
@@ejaz5429 As many owners will atest, the honeymoon period is infinite.. absolutely hold no reservations, go for it. Just make sure you buy a manual, would also suggest the recaro seats. Check out the facebook owners' forums if u want more specific info.. lot's of happy buyers who rave day after day. mine is a daily too
@@LLSicilia appreciate you taking the time to respond. I think I will go for it. Test driving one in a couple days and hope to bring her home soon!
@@ejaz5429 great! Be sure to post your impressions. i've had lots of sport coupes from lancias, fiats to rx7's and the 124 abarth is a very sweet n raw driver.. btw id also recommend the monza exhaust.. must have if within yr budget or as a proposition to seal the deal
New EE video notification: immediately reschedules daily tasks.
I owned a 1970 and then a 1974 Fiat Syyder years ago. Horrible reliability but a joy to drive. Wouldn't mind trying again but since I've added a little weight (or more) since then, not sure my old frame will fit too well. Good review, thanks.
I am 6 feet tall and weigh at least 260 pounds (up and down like a yo yo) and 64 years old. I fit just fine and love it!
Tinstar2 good to know that is pretty close to my specs.
why the difference in weight ? where does the extra weight in the fiat come from
It sounds amazing for a 4 cylinder, one of my favorite sports cars!
where is this filmed? It doesn''t really look like the Boise area
Thanks! Love your vids!
I agree. Don't get this with an automatic. I have the Classica 6 speed manual and it's like a go kart with a rocket under the hood! Totally awesome!
What is difference of mx5 mechanical. I knew different ( engine and gear ) only what gear they use NC ?
@@human6593 The engine / exhaust /wheels most interior parts are Fiat parts. Discontinued Fiat parts. The glass windshield / side door windows are Mopar parts. The infotainment system / some interior parts are Mazda. Oil changes are a PITA as its an element type & it located under the intake pipe / plus its bottom is pointed to the hood. Not exactly a friendly DIY type design. I test drove a 2017 Fiat 124 Spyder Abarth the day before I test drove a MX-5 Club soft top - its clutch is much heavier & I noticed it in stop / go traffic - not fun ! The throttle response is delayed & I didn't like that feeling. Its nice to have a choice in affordable roadsters but as much as I tried to like the 124 Spyder Abarth it was the 2016 MX-5 Club soft top with the Brembo / BBS package that won me over. Its been 6 years now as a daily driver that I change the oil & wheel / tires for the seasonal weather. It handles really well in snow / ice plus has seen many sub zero temperatures in winter. A great car in Mazda MX-5 form.
Cool! Is Fiat still "Fix It Again Tony" or are they more reliable than before?
They're still pretty bad but this is essentially a Mazda so I don't think it'd be too bad.
The engine is still a Fiat's, that'll probably the only thing that will go wrong.
The chassis is Mazda but the powertrain Fiat, so I'd be wary of these in a few years.
If you want one purchase a couple of years of extra insurance just to be safe ;) And this remind me of the track Mr. Oizo - No Tony (feat. Phra) :D
Well, every Fiat I have didn't have all those problems people over me are talking about. Especially the engine, has 170k km and is still as new.
Other thing is in our company we use fiat trucks and some have nearly 23 yo, still no huge problems
What exactly differences mechanically . What is gear fiat or NC gear or fiat gear ?
in germany there is also an abarth badge on the steering wheel
I'm thinking of buying a car ith a 2.0 litre turbo petrol engine - 6 speed auto, max 165 kw power but I'm concerned @ low revs i only a have a 2 litre engine. Is there a device that stores exhaist gas while engine is at idle then releasing this pressurised gas to spin the turbo when you touch the accelerator ?
You should talk about the quarter mile 0 to 60 curb weight & things of that sort.. The manufacturer specs n claimed acceleration times would b great! Good review tho! Thank u
He did that in a different video comparing the BRZ / 124 / S2000 / & MX-5 ! Weights / torque / 0-60 times & driving feeling.
i need help. what would you get and why? a base wrx hawkeye or an lexus is250 awd 08??? both around 10k$
isn't the throttle feeling a matter of a decent mapping? in other words a matter of fiat having put in the time to dial in the whole throttle position/revs thing?
mx5 or 124 spider abarth?...tough decision... is the fiat engine as reliable as the mazda engine?
Fong Xiong yes the 1.4 in this car has proven reliability
The 1.4 MultiAir is more reliable than the Skyactiv. It's unusual for Italian engines, but this one is extremely reliable.
Could you explain the benefits of changing from a one bolt cam shaft to a 3 bolt?
the weather looks so nice there! Where is that? In mi city in TX it was 107° yesterday and 98° at 10:00 pm 😔
That thing is sick
Oh wow, it looks so much better in red than in those 2-tone colors. I still like the drive of the 1.6 liter MD the best, super light and fun to rev out the gears. Gonna get me one of those when I hit my mid-life crisis.
I couldn't afford a midlife crisis, but I was able to get this exact car in my late life crisis! Having a ball with it! It's one of the most fun cars to drive that I have ever owned and I'm 64! I have had no negative comments about it. When people see it in person, they love it!
Does anyone know if the US version of the Abarth comes with the Monza exhaust they get in the UK?
Loving the review & the title ! Briliant
I wonder why Fiat dont make it sexier like Ferrari Maserati
But does it come with a targa top option?
Finally a review!
save the manuals!
Finally bought my first manual this year. I've truly been missing out my last 12 years of driving!
until you're stuck in traffic :-(
@@inspectorchicken Not at all. You get used to it. I'm 67. I drive in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Riverside County all the time. Believe me! I set in heavy traffic on a regular basis Iv'e had way more manuals than automatics. It also depends on what you're going to do with the vehicle. I wouldn't buy a minivan with a manual transmission. My 68 Chevelle still has a Darryl Young modified 700 R4 with a matched furnace brazed converter from Continental Los Angeles. I kept the Chevelle very period modified. For that time period the big block with a roots blower works better with an automatic. If I did it all over today, I would use a supercharged LS7 with a prepped T T56 Magnum XL.
The tuning capabilities are pretty nice,
it's the fiat 500 abarth engine
and there are quite a few nice tunes of that one out there.
No its not. The 595/695 uses the T-Jet engine. The Spider has the more complicated MultiAir motor, which won several prices. But the tuning market is very small for it, and tuning is not very easy. However I have seen a lot of cars having around 215 hp.
That looked like Los Laureles Grade near the Laguna Seca Race Track, was it...?
Comments in the brakes were interesting but it was not stated if this car was outfitted with the optional Brembo package Maybe I missed that?
Can it be LS swapped with the same kits as the Miata?
I love the looks of the 124 over the mx5. Is it possible to put the mx5 engine and transmission into a 124?
22 psi and only 164 hp?
Jason, can you explain exactly what the "Sport" mode does? It delivers peak torque at a lower RPM, but what is it actually doing in the engine to accomplish this?
Did that one have the optional brembos?
Wonder if this engine will get the same support from tuners as the Mazda will, such a good looking car
Similar engine as the USA version of the 500 Abarth, so you should have plenty of options for tunes.
kinda feel that this abarth is not quite as optimized as the 500. But man I would love to have one just for a week end.
I want the coupe version that is being shown around the internet. I only hope it is as good looking as the fan renders.
Silverman The Abarth 500 looks and sounds ok, but it's awful to drive. The steering wheel seems to be connected to the wheels via a stick of celery, the gear change feels like it's been connected using soggy pasta and the suspension damping makes a space hopper look sophisticated. A shame, because it could have been a proper little bundle of fun.
My favorite color on that car. Well done I felt there
Why dont they used the 1.8L from the 4C? The bonnet can fit a 2.0l engine
@ALCLCF Also probably be as expensive as one. :)
I think almost all of your car reviews can be summarized as "Truly a joy".
Dude!! Just saw the GMC ad and hey congrats on the gig...but you looked so awkward lol!
What did you think about the sound the exhaust? The reason why I ask is that the spider 124 abarth available in Europe get the awesome record monza exhaust system found in the fiat 500 abarth. Unfortunately, the north american spider 124 abarth does not come with this exhaust system. Would be curious to hear your thoughts on the exhaust.
Ahsan Syed 2 different cars, the car sold in Europe is the Abarth 124 spider, the US car is the Fiat 124 Abarth, one is an Abarth, one isn’t. There isn’t a huge difference between them in reality, a few bhp in Europe’s favour, more Abarth badges in Europe, and the exhaust. Plus the Europe car is assembled in Italy.
Jason@engineeringexplained : how tall are you? Was it comfortable driving it-or did your scrape your knees a lot? My height is about 6' and I can't see myself being able to own a car like this one or the MX-5 :-)
Does @EngineeringExplained do official merch?
Is there a specific reason why Mazda doesn't put the 2.5 with a turbo in the Miata? Heritage? @engineeringexplained
Do you preffer this instead of a miata?
really you're awesome man!
A buddy of mine drives a dodge dart rallye. Same engine making 160 hp in a chassis that weighs over 600 pounds more than the spider, of course with front wheel drive. With some light modification, he's got it set up to where it feels like your colon is about to prolapse on accelerating. I would absolutely love to own one of these if the feeling is anything close to that.
Can I get 184lb.ft of torque in my BRZ pls?
How does this car have a turbo but still have garbage HP? Might as well go with the Miata that has slightly less HP but no extra Turbo to mess with or provide maintenance on.
I feel like adding a turbo was lost with so little power. If this thing had 200hp it would sell like hotcakes. As it stands, it isn't worth ruining the naturally aspirated character of the miata's engine for 10 more horsepower and the torque a bit sooner.
TheJacobShapiro low end torque is vital for fast acceleration. When people talk about muscle car era engines, few people realize that stock, the 440, 454, 427s, in chevelles, chargers, etc all lost in drag racing to the Buick 455, all while having more hp, because the Buick had 510 ft/lbs. It just isn't as revered because a comparable Buick car was a lot more expensive than its cousins. That said the Buick 455 was also the lightest big block during the muscle car era, and not by a small margin. Anyway, point being, for lower starting speed acceleration, torque is king. That said, horsepower and torque as units of measure aren't in the same area, one is simply force, or mechanical pressure, the other is a measurement of force per distance over a period of time. Literally, torque is just twisting force, horsepower is being able to lift 550 lbs exactly 1 foot in exactly 1 second. That's why you use torque per rpm to measure hp. Hp= (torque x rpm)/5252
The UK versions has 180hp
USonuMabeaCh Nice explanation but Christ almighty I wish we'd convert to metric for all this stuff!
TheJacobShapiro if it had only 200hp people would complain that its not a real spider/miata and that it needs more power
lol
TheJacobShapiro They will release an Abarth Esse Esse version with more power.
Does this car have the (optional?) no muffler exhaust? :) Seems to sound pretty good.
is there a hard top option?
I own a 500 Abarth with the same engine, and didn't know that the sport button lowered the torque peak. Is this something new or does it apply to all of the 1.4 MultiAir Turbos?
Auto or MT may i know about issues cuz I'll buy car and dealer very poor of parts . How many miles u drive .
So what will you choose?
I know one has a Fiat sourced engine, but do they share a Mazda transmission?
124 Spyder has a Mazda 3rd generation transmission.
0:25 How did that work?? There is a little Ferrari in the gauge cluster.. and Jason the only reviewer who review car in a crowded road like this
Yathu prem Fiat owns Ferrari
I can't wait till I get a job at FCA, I really want to revamp the way the Abarth brand is produced for the Americas. We are being neglected when it comes to a sporty "go-cart"
Savan Cleveland it seems to be just a trim level rather than an actual different car.
"No matter how much you spend, you never get to experience lightweight vehicles like these". Well, there are some, Caterham, Lotus, the Alfa Romeo 4C... it's just that the prices start to twice as much as the Miata/124's, but they are definitely there (for now, at least...).
I think he meant that phrase keeping in mind the fact that this is a lot more dailyable than those you listed.
Awesome drive :-)
does it rev hang when shifting?
This car is amazing looking but they have got to put some power under the hood... what happened to seeing numbers like 260 hp from a Saturn Sky Redline?
Discontinued the whole Saturn line & Fiat no longer makes the 124 Spyder either.
@@ag4allgood I’m aware, but cheap powerful roadsters could be made under 30k.
@@BackpackandBlack The new 2023 Sport model MX-5 is there ! Nothing else !
Did you like this car more than your s2000?
They will probably release an 124 Abarth Esse Esse, with more power. Yet its an Abart, its not about peak power, its about what you could do with the power, how better will it handle and brake.
yeah saw these at the dealership as i drove by, i don't know. i'd like to see somebody put it up against the s2k.
So why is there a sport button?
Because of emission regulation. If you drive around in normal mode the car has less horse power and doesnt respond so fast to the throttle. It helps in saving fuel and emissions. If you press the sport button however, whole diffrent story. I always drive in sports mode.
Will Mazda ever produce a turbocharged version for the Miata?
Hope not.
Just to out in context you could say the Base MSRP and the Price as Tested.
When are you going to review the Fiat 500 Abarth?
The selling point is that id doesn't have the ND transmission which is known to have some serious issues (that is, blowing apart). Drawback, its a Fiat/Chrysler which will kill any resale.
How does such a tiny motor handle 22 lbs. of boost? Will it last?
The MultiAir engine has proven its reliability. It is used in many Fiat models since 2014. A very modern, very complicated engine. But reliable as far as we can say. The only issue I had with that car after one year was with the rooftop, which is a Mazda part of all things. ;-)
why does it have 4 exhaust pipes ? it only has 4 cylinders this beats the civic's 3 to 4 ratio
Because it is the best sounding 4 cylinder I have ever heared. ;-) I dont like the 4 pipes either, but it is a win.
What should i choose: mx5 na or nb?
It depends on your needs, I personally own an NA.
If you're about that pure raw driving joy go for the NA
If you want it a bit softer and safer go for the NB
The NB weights around 100kg more, there is a common sentence that really suits the best:
"The NA is the better Miata while the NB is the better car"
I hope this can help you a bit, no matter which one you choose you'll definetly have a load of fun with it! :)
Cango Thank you so much! I really love the na, but I prefer the nb just because it's cheaper, here, in italy...but at the same time seems to "girly" 😂
how much is it? its pretty expensive compared to the 2l mx5 right?
coscorrodrift 28-34k USD on a dealer lot
Shikhar Shivam forget that lol so many better choices out there
Adrian Vega the only competitor I see is the MX5. Then above this category comes the 718, Alfa Romeo 4C and TTRS etc.
2017 Mustang GTs can be found for 30-35k on dealer lots but they're a different kind of fun imo.
Ive got mine for 26,000 EUR including tax. It is great value for the price.
I wanna hear this thing straight piped. Who else agrees?
EE Talks about how great the low-end torque is while downshifting into higher revs! Aside, I truly hate the front face of most Mazdas these days.
Think about doing a Mazda 3 review?
Interior is quite nice 👍 exterior ohh man different story, designers might have just given up
Would you mind telling us 22 psi also in bars? It's 0.15 for those wondering..
It's a real shame that they didn't make it an alfa like it was originally supposed to. That is assuming that they would have let alfa style it of course.
The 1.4L Multi Air turbo engine was designed by Alfa Romeo and was first offered in the Alfa Romeo Mito. So its got some Alfa bones in it.
Please make a better review of the interior of the car and talk more about the mechanical details (as you used to do)!
How was the clutch?
Heavy in the 2017 Spyder Abarth version I test drove before Buying my 2016 MX-5 Club. One of the reasons I bought the Mazda.
Helloooooo everyone...... and i click "like" :D
By the way: Why isnt the ABARTH Logo on the steering wheel? I'm confused. :-O
Aaand i still dont know which one to buy: Nex MX5 184hp or Abarth for now 30k€ new. :-/
in greece we only have the 140hp version. 1.4litre turbo