In standard guise, the Abarth 124 Spider is a fun yet somewhat underpowered sports car just that little bit more desirable than the Mazda MX-5 on which it’s based. This one is a completely different animal, though.
That’s because this Abarth 124 has been overhauled to compete in GT4 racing. The prototype, dressed in camouflage, was snapped during testing at Monza and looks dramatically more performance-focused than the road going version.
For starters, the sports car’s convertible roof has been replaced by a hardtop that won’t just make the car lighter, but will also add to its rigidity. Up front, we can also see that there’s a new fascia incorporating a large grille, as well as sizeable canards and shark gills on the wheel arches.
Cast your eyes along the sides and you’ll notice extended skirts and racing wheels, while the rear sports a beefed-up bumper, a fixed rear wing and an eye-catching diffuser.
It remains to be seen what will power the Abarth 124 GT4. With that being said, reports suggest it will be the 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder of the Alfa Romeo 4C, tuned all the way to 380 hp. When paired with a racing transmission, the 124 GT4 should be capable of some seriously impressive speeds.
According to reports, the racer may complete in the Italian GT Championship that will kick off in late April next year, giving Abarth plenty of time to refine the car and ensure it’s perfect before racing commences.