As you’re well aware, Mazda has improved the MX-5 Miata and MX-5 RF for the 2019 model year in plenty of areas. The most important upgrade can be found under the hood, where the 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G engine has been revised to 184 PS (181 horsepower) and 205 Nm (151 pound-feet) of torque.
Add a 7,500-rpm redline, 17-inch black wheels, brown soft top, telescoping steering column, better cupholders, and a rearview camera, and that would be that for the Mazda. Fiat is planning to update the 124 Spider for the 2019 model year as well, and based on what we know from the Japanese roadster, there’s not much that could come as a surprise for the Italian counterpart.
The description of the teaser at the end of the story reads: “Stay tuned for more details and complete video next week.” But knowing Fiat and the Abarth brand, there’s no denying the engineers have worked their magic on the 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged four-cylinder.
As standard, the 1,368-cc engine develops 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. In Abarth specification, make that 164 horsepower at 5,500 rpm. Where do we go from here, you might be wondering?
The 595 and 695 are the most likely inspirations for the 124 Spider Abarth, translating to either 180 or 190 PS (178 or 187 horsepower). In regard to torque, the 695 is much obliged to offer up to 250 Nm (184 pound-feet), the same amount as the 1.4-liter in the 2018 model year.
Both the MX-5 and 124 are manufactured in Hiroshima, Japan, and most of the vehicle architecture is shared between the two open-top models. The transmission in the Fiat and Abarth, however, is a modified version of the six-speed manual used by Mazda in the previous generation of the MX-5.
The Mazda and Fiat-slash-Abarth are also available with a six-speed automatic, but for the love of all that’s holy, why would anyone choose it over a three-pedal setup? In addition to taking the fun out of the driving experience, the torque-converter slushbox also happens to miss out on the right gear when you’re hustling.
As for the aural qualities, well, what would you choose between the rev-happy SkyActiv-G and raspy MultiAir?
LATER EDIT
The cat is out of the bag, and the 124 Spider doesn't feature any upgrades in the oily bits department. To this effect, the Mazda is the better buy.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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