IN a motoring world where there’s a German power battle, somewhat pointless Nurburgring lap records changing hands and 0-60 sprints regularly being achieved in under three seconds, you’d be forgiven for thinking simplistic cars were a thing of the past.
Aside from a few low-rung Caterhams and the Mazda MX-5, which has dominated the affordable, two-seater roadster market since it first landed on UK shores three decades ago, there’s little else to choose from if you want a no-frills, thrill-a-minute car to thread down a country lane on a summer evening.
The MX-5 is today what it always has been - a breath of fresh air in a diluted era that’s given us start-stop, annoying in-built radars to help you to stay in lane and collision warning systems. But there’s a new kid on the block and although it might strike you as a left-field alternative to the familiar MX-5, it’s actually built using the same platform so there’s little between the two.
In effect, the Fiat 124 Spider is a repackaged MX-5 - it shares just about every component with its Japanese ‘rival’ - but has a smattering of Fiat badges, different styling and a turbocharged engine. The latter point is crucial. The equivalent MX-5 has a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre unit, which zips round to 7,500rpm, but it’s one I found was somewhat lacking in in-gear grunt.
I appreciate outright power isn’t what a car like the MX-5 is really about, but its engine’s tendency to deliver most of its performance beyond 5,000rpm could prove costly. Fiat’s perhaps bold move to use its 1.4 turbo motor, which has 140bhp - a small amount more than the Mazda - could well be a move which pays off, especially considering the torque increase from opting for forced induction.
Styling-wise, I’m not so sure. Its circular headlights evoke memories of the classic Pininfarina-designed 124 which was first built in the 1960s, but in my eyes it’s not quite as pretty as the MX-5. The bonnet bulges look great from the driver’s seat, but on the whole it’s a little underwhelming - I feel Fiat could have injected more Italian flair into what is fundamentally a Japanese car underneath.
Jump inside and it’s the same as the Mazda, albeit with a Fiat badge on the steering wheel. Maybe that’s no bad thing - the MX-5’s interior might be simple but it’s effective, well-made and everything’s driver-focused. Fiat should have done more, though. Japanese interiors are typically Japanese - it all works but it’s uninspiring to look at. Italians are renowned for their design and passion, so sticking a few Fiat badges doesn’t cut it for me.
I’m a person who has never owned a convertible, but I’m of the opinion that every journey - as long as it isn’t raining - should be done with the roof down. When it’s up, a pull of a lever is all that’s needed to begin the process and the roof tucks away neatly behind the seats with a reassuring click. It’s done manually, so there’s no complicated, expensive-to-fix electric mechanisms, which also saves a shed load of weight.
Thumb the start button and it explodes into life. The engine might be small, but it’s characterful and doesn’t feel turbocharged as there’s little lag and good throttle response. The platform-sharing aspect is clear, as the 124 feels virtually identical to the MX-5. The steering’s weighted very well, there’s a decent amount of feedback of what the front wheels are doing and the handling - its party piece - is fantastic.
But as you’d predict, it's its engine which stands out as the key difference. As it’s a car with 140bhp, a similar helping of torque and a kerb weight of just over 1,000kg, it’s remarkably quick. Zero to 60mph is done in 7.1 seconds and although that is impressive, the way in which the 124 feels when you have its roof stowed away, the sun’s shining and your nostrils are filled with the aroma of freshly-cut grass, a hot engine and wild flowers, it’s hard not to fall for its charm.
Whereas you have to work the MX-5’s 1.5 to extract the best from it, the 124’s wider power band and more accessible torque appeals to me much more than I ever thought. The gearbox, which is fantastic, has a short-throw action and is engaging from the moment you set off, but there’s quite a lot of body roll through corners - its damping is more geared towards comfort than the MX-5, which I found to be harder-riding than the 124.
That will appeal to some, and prove a deal-breaker to others. The MX-5, despite its power deficit, remains the purist choice as its set-up is unquestionably sportier and it’s remained naturally aspirated, but the 124 will sway many.
So, which is best? It’s like separating non-identical twins - they’re extremely similar, both great but with different hearts. Just as I’d walk towards the Fiat dealership thinking my mind was made, I’d veer off at the last minute and plump for the Mazda.
