Fiat's go-fast operation has whipped the covers off its new Abarth 124 GT convertible. It will be offered with what the Italian car maker claims is the only carbon-fibre hardtop on the market.
There is an FIA spec R-GT race version of the car with a plastic hardtop, the 124 Spider Rally, and it bangs out 224kW from its 1.8-litre engine. But it's not road legal.
The Abarth 124 Spider is built on the same manufacturing line as the Mazda MX-5 but until now, only the Mazda has offered a hardtop version of the compact rear-drive convertible, in the form of the MX-5 RF.
Making its global premiere at the 2018 Geneva motor show, the Abarth 124 GT brings a crisp new look with its carbon-fibre roof, which weighs just 16 kilograms – and should be fairly easy to fit and remove.
Abarth says "it can be removed and refitted in a few easy steps", although unlike the soft-top roof it cannot be stored within the car.
The Abarth 124 GT also features a special Alpi Orientali Grey exterior paint job and also gets colour-coded mirrors, front bumper and OZ ultra-light 17-inch alloy wheels, the latter reducing overall weight by three kilos.
There's also an optional matte black bonnet designed to "prevent the driver from being dazzled by the sun". Other options include a carbon-fibre rear spoiler and carbon-fibre or red finishes for the side mirrors.
Except for the slightly lower kerb mass, Abarth has not tinkered with the car's performance, retaining the same 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine (124kW/250Nm) as regular versions of the Abarth 124 Spider. That means a top speed of 232km/h and a 0-100km/h dash that takes 6.8secs.
It's offered with both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions and comes standard with the dual-mode 'Monza' exhaust that develops a crackle on the overrun and pumps out more volume than standard 124 Spider cars.
FCA Australia's senior manager of corporate communications, Dave Harding, said the Abarth 124 GT hasn't been ruled out for Australia – nor has its carbon hardtop. Harding stated that the car is "Under evaluation for the Australian market".
The other vehicle Abarth will show at Geneva is the Abarth 695 Rivale convertible. Powered by a similar 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine as the 124 GT, it produces slightly higher power (135kW/250Nm); the car's major differences from other Abarth 695 models are the interior and exterior flourishes.
Outside, the car features a two-tone paint job with Riva Sera Blue and Riva Shark Grey, matched with satin chrome highlights and aquamarine pinstripes.
Inspired by Italian yacht maker Riva, the special edition Abarth 695's interior is enhanced by mahogany and maple timber highlights. Blue leather seats and a numbered plaque that can be engraved with the name of the owners vessel are also included.
Acceleration for the 1045kg front-drive pocket rocket is slightly faster than the rear-drive 124 GT at 6.7secs.