Performance Review: Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo - [2016]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Abarth 124 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2016. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 6.2 V8 and the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad Turbo.This particular Abarth 124 has a 1368cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 124 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 124's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1060 kgs (2336 lbs) this makes the Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe or the give or take 50kg.

The Abarth 124 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1368cc 16V St4 engine produces 168 bhp (125 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 184 lb-ft (249.4 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Abarth 124 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1958 Aston-Martin DB4 1958 (183.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Abarth 124.

The Abarth 124 has a Power to weight ratio of 158.4 bhp per ton and 173.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2016 124 competing with the 1958 Aston-Martin DB4 1958 (183.4 bhp per ton) or the 1994 Toyota Celica GT Four ST205 (183.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Abarth 124 generating around 173.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2009 Porsche Boxster 3.4 Spyder PDK 987 (198.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (198.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 Turbo (6.50 secs). This Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TSI 2.0 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 124 and the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8

When talking about the performance of the Abarth 124 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.2 secs @ 90.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 (15.14 secs), the 2005 Dodge Magnum 5.7 V8 RT (15.14 secs), and the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive (15.14 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2016 version of the Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo has a maximum speed of 144mph.

Top Speed of the 2016 124 equals the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (155 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo then how about the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (155 mph), the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (155 mph), or the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (155 mph).

Related Links:

2016 124 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Abarth

Car Comparison