Fiat 124 Abarth noises: the shocking truth

So as many of us have noticed, the Fiat 500 Abarth is one of the niftiest sounding cars off the showroom floor this side of Ferrari.

Last weekend I was at an autocross and saw a 124 Spider in the flesh for the first time. It was an Abarth.

Same 1.4L MultiAir engine.

It was the quietest car in attendance with the possible exceptions of the two Priii and the Spark, so help me Bob.

I have only one question, and that question is "WTF?"

Stock exhaust is quiet on them.

There's a mopar exhaust for it already that is more abarthy https://www.youtube.com/embed/xqg2GjMdI-w

In reply to Grizz:

I certainly hope they get some good historical reference cars, so that it actually sounds like a Fiat and an Abarth.

What was shown is not good at all.

I'd rather have nothing than that.

I got a $50 Amazon card for test driving any new Fiat product last year and the only 124 they had at the time was a base 124 with an automatic. Much less than inspiring, figured I'd try again with an Abarth version and manual. Now I think I'll just stick with my trusty 500 Abarth. It makes good noises that still make me smile 3 years in.

Grizz wrote: Stock exhaust is quiet on them. There's a mopar exhaust for it already that is more abarthy https://www.youtube.com/embed/xqg2GjMdI-w

That sounds more "John Deere" than Abarth.

In reply to Huckleberry:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CbeY9w63b0

Sounds like the 500, which is what he was talking about.

This was not expected after the 500 Abarth...Which still sounds bigger and meaner than it is.

the original 124's noises were sublime. It was a combination of chevy 350 at low RPMs thanks to it's same length rods and the ripping silk noise of it's Ferrari cousins at the top end of the range.

So, what exactly do you get with the Abarth package other than 4hp and scorpion badges? I assumed it came with an exhaust note since there wasn't much different on the website. Does it get better suspension and brakes at least?

I was driving the roads of western NC last October when about 20 Fiats went up the Gherohala and the sound was very nice. Don't know how many were stock but they sounded great and I've wanted one ever since.

The 500 Abarth does not have a muffler. Remove the muffler and the 124 Spider gets a little more entertaining. Doesn't make any more power of note, but it sounds fun.

I need to clarify. Those were not 124's on the Cherohala. I have no idea what they sound like.

In reply to JimS:

That's probably the fall meet for the Tail of the Dragon. The spring meet is in two weeks, and I hope to not freeze my ass off again this year. If I do I'm done with spring and might try the fall. (Although spring draws 150+ now and the fall is much smaller)

It was Oct 20 or 21. The weather was rainy and cool. There were probably more than 20, it was just a guess. I talked to one of the guys on Friday in Fontana Village and checked out his car. Had some mods, don't remember what. I really like those cars.