FOR decades the two-seater market has been dominated by one car: Mazda’s MX-5. The classic, and very affordable convertible. But, imagine for a moment, near-everything that makes it such a wonderful car, but with a new, more European body.
Enter the Fiat 124 Spider.
With a fourth generation MX-5 as its base, Fiat’s reimagining of its 1966 classic roadster looks like something you’d picture cutting through wine fields in Tuscany. It’s a machine designed to look beautiful, with a long bonnet and short rear end. Gem-like sunken lights add to its charm.
In a word, it’s sophisticated.
But the Italian carmaker has pulled out the Japanese 2.0-litre Skyactiv powerhouse and replaced it with its own 1.4-litre, 140bhp, turbocharged MultiAir engine. A bold choice, especially with the car’s main competition being Mazda faithfuls.
Saying that, it’s not actually a bad thing. The 124 can potter around town at low revs, running as easily as a Ford Fiesta. But, take it out onto a country road, put your foot down, and you unleash its wilder side.
Its civilised when you want it to be, and really isn’t when you don’t.
This is a characteristic the MX-5 doesn’t have. The Skyactiv 2.0-litre is an animal. There is no lag when you dab the accelerator. Push a bit too much turning out of a bend and you may end up facing the wrong way.
Nevertheless, inside you’ll find the exact same interiors, barring badges, of course. Being a car built to be small, cubby holes are a rarity, and there are no doors pockets which can get annoying. But a bigger-than-you-think “glove box” sits behind the driver’s left shoulder, which can fit a decent amount in. I managed to get a couple of A4 notepads, and my lunch, in with space to spare.
Saying that, practicality shouldn’t really be in your tick-box when you’re looking this. That’s just not what it’s built for. But there is still more space than you may think.
Take the boot. On a weekly shop the 124 took two full bags of shopping, plus my rucksack, without barely filling half of the boot space. So, if you’re heading away for the weekend, it will more than do the job.
There is even a secret area behind the driver’s seat. Granted it’s not very big, but it’s handy.
So, if you don’t want to be just another MX-5 driver, the 124 Spider could be the one for you – although you’ll need to sacrifice a bit of power, albeit in a much, much more beautiful car.
Yet, that lack of power may start to grind you after a while. If the Fiat had that 160bhp Mazda engine, it would be a no-brainer.
But priced at a smudge over £20,000 new, it’s genuinely one of the most stunning vehicles you can buy for such a small amount.
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