Here's What Happens When You Race An Abarth 124 Against A 595

This intra-marque battle from Top Gear pitches two very different Abarths against each other
Remote video URL

What makes this particular one marque battle is that both cars are powered by essentially the same 1.4-litre turbocharged inline-four. However, that’s just about the only firm link between the two.

The 124 is based on the Mazda MX-5 (it’s mostly built in Hiroshima, before being finished in Turin), and as such is rear-wheel drive. The 595 Competition on the other hand is front-wheel drive, and has an extra 10bhp to hand, meaning its 6.7 second 0-62mph time is a tenth quicker than the 124’s.

Place your bets, then hit play…

Sponsored Posts

Comments

HazeTheMaze

Damn that mazda is fast

10/14/2017 - 11:53 |
102 | 0

Not usually what you say when you see a 1.4 Miata.

10/14/2017 - 12:06 |
50 | 10
Rip CT, this shit was a good app back in the day

In reply to by HazeTheMaze

You mean “Fiata” ?
:P

10/15/2017 - 04:29 |
16 | 0
Anonymous

[DELETED]

10/14/2017 - 12:09 |
0 | 2
Sam smith

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

U wot m8

10/14/2017 - 12:13 |
2 | 0
Poke

“Fiat 125” U wot?

10/14/2017 - 12:15 |
10 | 2
Anonymous

In reply to by Poke

m8

10/14/2017 - 12:27 |
6 | 2
Steve Buscemi

The fact that they didnt even go a second time after the 595 had a bad start just proves that this test is pointless.

10/14/2017 - 12:45 |
126 | 2

It can’t have a “good” start because it’s FWD- weigth shifts to the back, front wheels lose traction.
It’s either that or a slow start.

10/14/2017 - 22:20 |
16 | 0
DL🏁

one of the reasons why RWD > FWD

10/14/2017 - 13:10 |
12 | 6
Jakob

This comparision really shows what mechanical grip can mean. Both vehciles are matched equally according to the datasheet, but the wider tires and the RWD brings the advantage. As a car accelerates, the weight shifts to the rear, which is an advantage for RWD cars, in this case the decisive advantage.

This is, by the way, also the reason why RWD Porsche 911s often accelerate as quick to 100 as their 4WD counterparts do.

10/14/2017 - 14:02 |
18 | 4
Dave 12

In reply to by Jakob

Or the dude just messed up between 1st and 2nd because the 595 is actually quicker.

10/14/2017 - 14:52 |
2 | 2
Vedran 1

Isn’t it “intra-marque”? Inter-marque would be between to different firms

10/14/2017 - 14:24 |
22 | 2

You are correct, sir.

10/14/2017 - 15:42 |
4 | 0

Yep! Have corrected.

10/14/2017 - 18:09 |
4 | 0
Valanti Demetriades

I own a 124 spider and I know for a fact it cant beat a 500 like this

10/14/2017 - 14:52 |
10 | 0

but this is a abarth one. no wonder

10/15/2017 - 11:15 |
2 | 2
slevo beavo

I forget how ugly the 124 is!!.

10/14/2017 - 15:03 |
6 | 12
Anonymous

[DELETED]

10/14/2017 - 15:31 |
0 | 18
Jakob

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Black bonnet, what a ricer.

10/14/2017 - 15:51 |
14 | 2