Skip advert
Advertisement

Fiat 124 Spider review – The MX-5’s classier cousin? - Performance and 0-60 time

The drop-top Italian posses a distinctly calmer persona than the Mazda that it shares its underpinnings with

Evo rating
RRP
from £21,050
  • A characterful cruiser
  • Lacks finesse when driven enthusiastically

Performance and 0-60 time

The Fiat 124 Spider develops 138bhp from its 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and maximum torque of 177 lb ft is available from just 2,250rpm. That’s much lower down than the more rev-happy Mazda MX-5, which develops max torque at 4800rpm in the 1.5-litre car or 4600rpm in the 2-litre.

The 124’s 0-62mph time is dispatched in 7.5 seconds – just shy of the 7.3 seconds that the 2.0-litre MX-5 requires to do the same. The 1.5-litre Mazda takes 8.3 seconds.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Can electric beat petrol? Alpine A290 meets Mazda MX-5 – car pictures of the week
Mazda MX-5 v Alpine A290
Features

Can electric beat petrol? Alpine A290 meets Mazda MX-5 – car pictures of the week

Alpine’s A290 is under consideration by evo contributor Peter Tomalin as a replacement for his MX-5. A comparison is in order…
19 Sep 2026
McLaren SUV finally confirmed, but its new logo comes first
New McLaren logo
News

McLaren SUV finally confirmed, but its new logo comes first

New investment in McLaren will allow the supercar maker to expand its portfolio, make its own engines, and try to cash in on an SUV. There's even a ne…
22 Sep 2026
Porsche 911 Carrera T review – the ultimate all-round sports car
Porsche 911 Carrera T
Reviews

Porsche 911 Carrera T review – the ultimate all-round sports car

One of a handful of manual sports cars that remain, the Carrera T is also the most 'affordable' way into a manual 911
22 Sep 2026