2017 Abarth 124 Spider With 200 HP And Hardtop In The Works

Fiat is giving the Abarth treatment to the 2017 Fiat Abarth 124 Spider which means more power and handling across the board. 

Just mere days after the Fiat 124 Spider was officially unveiled right around the time the L.A. Auto Show was taking place, rumors started circling about a hotter Fiat 124 Spider on the way and it looks like the rumors are true. According to our motoring friends over at Piston Heads earlier Monday, there will most likely be three more powerful variants on the way including a 160 HP, 190HP and range-topping 200 HP variant. All three engines will feature the same 1.4 MultiAir engine currently stuffed underneath the hood of the base model Fiat 124 Spider but it looks like FCA will upgrade key engine internals, size up the turbo accordingly and add chassis strengthening in key suspension places.

More from Art of Gears

• 3 Reasons the 2024 Mazda CX-50 Is Among the Best Small SUVs
• The Jeep Renegade Is Discontinued: Here’s a Look at Its Legacy
• 2023 Nissan Armada: A Decent Full Size SUV With 1 Glaring Issue
• Best Minivans: 3 Options for Families With Solid Performance
• Here’s Why the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Is So Popular

And it gets better. According to an inside source in Fiat, they plan to throw on a hardtop on their spider and take it back to its rallying roots with an entry into the World Rally Championship. The racecar will arrive decked out in racecar trim and stripped of all the comforts of the regular 124 spider sometime around 2017 when a new sports car class in expected to drop in WRC.

The last time Fiat was involved in rallying was around the 1970’s and early 1980’s with a win in their iconic 131 Abarth.

Next: This Is What The 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Sounds Like

We’ll be keen to see what Fiat comes up with for their hardcore Fiat Abarth 124 Spider and fully expect Mazda Miata fans to be frothing at the mouth with what Fiat throws on their beloved MX-5 chassis.