---
title: "Fiat Quietly Stops Selling 124 Spider in United Kingdom"
description: "One report speculates that it may have to do with emissions."
date: "2019-01-07"
modified: "2019-01-07"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/25831/fiat-quietly-stops-selling-124-spider-in-united-kingdom"
categories:
  - "Fiat News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Car sales"
  - "Convertible"
  - "Convertibles"
  - "FCA"
  - "fiat"
  - "Fiat 124 Spider"
  - "Fiat Chrysler Automobiles"
  - "Italian Cars"
  - "Mazda MX-5"
  - "Roadsters"
  - "United Kingdom"
---

# Fiat Quietly Stops Selling 124 Spider in United Kingdom

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/01/spyder-11-e1546892000573.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

Just two years after its introduction, Fiat has suddenly, and without explanation, stopped selling the [124 Spider](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23372/2019-fiat-124-spider-louder-and-prouder>) in the United Kingdom. First spotted by [*Autocar*](<https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/fiat-124-spider-removed-sale-uk>), the Italian automaker has removed the Mazda-based roadster from [its U.K. website](<https://www.fiat.co.uk/>). The hardcore Abarth version, however, remains officially on offer.

While an explanation from Fiat Chrysler is yet to be obtained, *Autocar* speculates that the move has something to do with Europe's tightening [WLTP](<https://wltpfacts.eu/what-is-wltp-how-will-it-work/>) emissions regulations. Upgrading and tweaking the 124's relatively aged 1.4-liter Multiair turbo engine so that it could be sold legally in 2019 may not have been worth the investment.

The report points out that the other two FCA products that have used this engine, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta subcompact and Jeep Renegade, have since ditched the motor for smaller and presumably more eco-friendly units.

*The Drive* has reached out to Fiat U.K. for an explanation and will update this story when we hear back.

The Fiat 124 Spider is the Mazda MX-5's badge sibling. Sharing a platform and identical interiors, the Fiat differentiates itself with its own engine and exterior styling. If *Autocar*'s emissions theory is correct, we couldn't help but wonder if the problem couldn't be solved by shoving Mazda's new, improved, and [very good 181-horsepower engine from the 2019 MX-5](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/24029/2019-mazda-mx-5-miata-rf-club-test-drive-review-new-engine-more-power-only-improve-this-sports-car>) under the hood of the Fiat.

Anyhow, the 124 Spider made 138 horsepower from its little 1.4-liter, a figure that gets bumped to 164 here in North America. The more raucous Abarth version gets 168 horsepower, Abarth badging, a louder exhaust, and an optional black hood.

Here in the U.S., the base model starts at $24,995.

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)