Skip advert
Advertisement

“Abarth adds spice to fast Fiats, but what about other models?”

The 124 Spider proves Fiat has a heart, but Steve Fowler wants to see more that the brand could offer to mainstream buyers

Opinion Fiat Abarth

Who doesn’t love a car that makes you laugh? That might not necessarily be the reaction that Abarth is looking for from its (soon to grow) range of fast Fiats, but they’re so unashamedly focused on fun that they make me chuckle. 

Abarth 124 Spider confirmed

Who can’t fail to find the thought of a Fiat 500 with 187bhp and a price tag that can get to £50,000 funny? The Abarth 595 Biposto might seem completely bonkers to some, but boy are we glad the guys at Abarth had the guts to give it a go!

Abarth 124 Spider EXCLUSIVE IMAGE

And now there’s more to come, as we revealed recently – an Abarth version of the upcoming Fiat 124 Spider is something I can’t wait to try. Based on the Mazda MX-5, a car we know has near-perfect handling balance and ultra-sharp responses, Abarth will add more power and a dash of Italian style – two things I reckon the MX-5 can easily handle. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Fiat 124 Spider spotted testing

Abarth won’t stop there, either, as more models are planned with performance playing the most important part. Exciting stuff.

That’s all very well, but what about the rest of the Fiat range? We’ve said before how we refer to it as the 500 Car Company, such is the massive part that model plays in the brand’s line-up. 

Fiat 500C 2015 front

While the 124 Spider is welcome, will we ever see a Punto replacement (a car that’s been on sale so long I genuinely forgot it was still available)? And word is the company is playing it safe with a new model to rival the Golf, Focus and Astra.

A Panda-style rival for the Nissan Qashqai was mooted a while ago and had the potential to be really appealing. But that trail seems to have gone cold, while yet more 500 derivatives have got the green light. The 124 Spider proves Fiat has a heart, but I’d like to see more that Fiat could offer to mainstream buyers.

Do you think Fiat should expand its line-up beyond the 500 and upcoming 124 Spider? Let us know what you think in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-in-chief

Steve Fowler has been editor-in-chief of Auto Express since 2011 and is responsible for all editorial content across the website and magazine. He has previously edited What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Vauxhall Grandland 2024 preview: walkaround, specs and full details
Vauxhall Grandland 2024 - front
News

New Vauxhall Grandland 2024 preview: walkaround, specs and full details

Consider this a new era for Vauxhall, because the step between this new EV and ICE model and the last Grandland it replaces is huge
22 Apr 2024
New BYD Seagull will come to the UK in 2025 to rival the Dacia Spring
BYD Seagull - front
News

New BYD Seagull will come to the UK in 2025 to rival the Dacia Spring

A new European-market BYD Seagull electric supermini is set to hit UK showrooms in the second half of next year
24 Apr 2024
Porsche Macan Electric review
Porsche Macan Electric - front
In-depth reviews

Porsche Macan Electric review

Hi-tech, good to drive, and with an interior to rival the very best in this class, the Macan Electric feels like a proper Porsche
23 Apr 2024