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

Lotus Esprit (1976-1987) review – from James Bond's icon to the Esprit Turbo
Lotus Esprit Turbo
In-depth reviews

Lotus Esprit (1976-1987) review – from James Bond's icon to the Esprit Turbo

The delicate but delicious Esprit was a supercar like no other. Here's everything you need to know and our drive of the Esprit Turbo
7 Sep 2026
BMW i8 (2014-2020) review – futuristic hybrid sports car now looks a bargain
BMW i8 review
In-depth reviews

BMW i8 (2014-2020) review – futuristic hybrid sports car now looks a bargain

The BMW i8 was a very different sort of 911 rival, not least because it used a hybrid system with a Mini engine mounted in the middle and a carbon tub
9 Sep 2026
Volkswagen Group’s survival plan and how it got in such a mess
Volkswagen ID.3
Opinion

Volkswagen Group’s survival plan and how it got in such a mess

What was 2019’s largest carmaker is now cutting 100,000 jobs and 50 per cent of its models. How did it get here?
6 Sep 2026