Introduction
First shown in the summer of 2016, the Abarth 124 Spider brought the scorpion badge back to the two-seat roadster. It is a rear-wheel-drive convertible built in Hiroshima on the Mazda MX-5 platform, powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged MultiAir four-cylinder engine, and it revives a famous name from the 1960s and 1970s in a small, light, driver-focused package. Like every Abarth, the 124 Spider depends on the correct wheels for more than looks. The right fitment affects handling, braking, ride comfort, and safety, because the wrong wheels can spoil the balance of a car that weighs barely more than a tonne.
The particular wheel fitment needs for the Abarth 124 Spider are investigated in this guide. This guide provides all the information, including offset ranges, bolt patterns, hub bore diameters, and wheel size recommendations, whether you are replacing a damaged factory wheel or choosing aftermarket wheels for a sportier look. We also have advice on aftermarket wheels to enable you to acquire the ideal fit without sacrificing ride comfort or performance.
From its Mazda-shared platform to its Brembo front brakes, the Abarth 124 Spider has a simple fitment story: one generation, one bolt pattern, and one factory wheel size. This content will enable you to boldly negotiate the details and avoid the most common fitment mistakes. Let us now address the particular requirements of the car, beginning with its only generation so far.
First Generation (NF: 2016–2018)
Made from 2016 to 2018, the 124 Spider gave Abarth drivers a lightweight rear-wheel-drive roadster with the same chassis as the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5. The stock wheel size is 17×7 inches, a gunmetal ten-spoke alloy fitted with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A 205/45R17 tires. These wheels had an offset of 45mm, providing stability and clearance in harmony. As many Mazda roadsters have, the 124 Spider had a 4x100mm bolt pattern, which is also found on the Fiat 124 Spider and the Mazda MX-5. Measuring 54.1 mm, its hub bore guaranteed fit for a variety of aftermarket wheels meant for small Japanese roadsters. M12x1.5 was the lug nut thread size, tightened to 94 ft·lb (128 N·m). The factory tire size is 205/45 R17, and the recommended cold tire pressure is 29 PSI front and rear, as shown on the B-pillar placard. The 124 Spider can easily fit wheels from 16 inches to 18 inches for those looking for aftermarket wheels without major adjustments. Stated configurations should, however, keep a close rolling diameter to prevent interfering with the ABS and traction control systems.
| Model | Bolt Pattern | Hub Bore | Offset | OEM Wheel | Aftermarket Wheel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Abarth 124 Spider | 4x100mm | 54.1mm | 45mm | 17 Inch | 16″ to 18″ |
| 2017 Abarth 124 Spider | 4x100mm | 54.1mm | 45mm | 17 Inch | 16″ to 18″ |
| 2018 Abarth 124 Spider | 4x100mm | 54.1mm | 45mm | 17 Inch | 16″ to 18″ |
On aftermarket wheels, the 124 Spider runs square fitment, meaning the front and rear wheels are the same width, and the usual aftermarket range is 6.5 to 8 inches wide across 16- to 18-inch diameters. Owners sometimes choose a 16-inch wheel with a taller tire for a little more comfort, or stay with the 17-inch setup for a sharper look and firmer handling. The widest tire that fits without rubbing at stock height is 225/45R17, dropping to 215/45R17 if the car is lowered. The Abarth GT trim came from the factory with forged OZ Racing Ultraleggera 17×7 wheels in matte black, which are lighter than the standard cast wheels. Always confirm clearance, particularly because the Abarth’s larger Brembo front brakes need room behind the wheel spokes, and match all four tires by make, type, and size.
Special Considerations
Although the 124 Spider allows several wheel choices, make sure your selected wheels and tires fit the factory suspension. Lowering springs or coilovers could call for narrower tires or changes to stop rubbing, because the wheel arches on a small roadster leave little spare room. After any wheel modification, alignments should also be reviewed to preserve the best handling. The Abarth uses individual TPMS sensors in each wheel, unlike the base Fiat trims, so after a wheel change the new sensor IDs must be registered, or the car driven above 16 mph for at least 10 minutes, before the warning lamp clears. Check the tire placard on the driver’s-door jamb for your exact car, because tire pressure can differ by market and load.
General Tips for Abarth 124 Spider Wheel Fitment
A good fit with the Abarth 124 Spider depends on knowing bolt patterns and offsets when choosing wheels. The 124 Spider has a 4x100mm bolt pattern, hence the wheels have four bolt holes set in a circle with a 100 mm diameter. This is the Mazda roadster standard, hence finding suitable aftermarket wheels is simpler if you search by this pattern rather than by model name alone. Note that the Fiat 500 uses a different 4x98mm pattern, so its wheels do not bolt straight onto a 124 Spider.
A wheel’s offset sets its distance from the hub of the vehicle. Positive offsets, that is, 45mm, found on the 124 Spider suggest that the wheel mounting surface is nearer the outside of the wheel. Selecting an offset outside the advised range could cause problems including rubbing against suspension parts or stretching too far past the fender.
Check the hub bore size always as well. With 54.1 mm as the 124 Spider standard, the hub will fit snugly without requiring centering rings. Hub-centric rings can aid in keeping stability if utilizing larger bore wheels, and the lug nuts should always be tightened in stages, in the correct sequence, to the factory torque.
Common Fitment Issues
One of the most often occurring problems when switching to bigger wheels or reduced offsets is rubbing. Think about the following to help avoid this:
- As you upsize, keep a similar rolling diameter to avoid ABS faults and speedometer mistakes.
- Wheel spacers should be used carefully since they change the offset and stress the hub bears.
- Make sure, particularly on the Abarth with its bigger Brembo front brakes, aftermarket wheels clear the brake calipers.
Conclusion
Selecting appropriate wheels for your Abarth 124 Spider is about maintaining the performance and safety integrity of your car, not only about appearance. Knowing specifics like wheel diameters, offsets, bolt patterns, and hub bores guarantees a flawless fit whether you drive a 2016 launch car or a 2018 model.
With advice for both OEM replacements and aftermarket enhancements, this guide has led you through the fitment of the 124 Spider’s single generation. Remember how your wheel selection affects general ride quality, brake clearance, and suspension geometry. See a wheel fitment specialist in doubt to identify the ideal fit for your requirements.
Your Abarth 124 Spider is deserving of the best; you may improve its appearance, feel, and performance with the correct wheels. Having all the information now, it’s time to make a wise choice and get your 124 Spider the upgrade it deserves!
Ryan Mitchell is a wheel and tire fitment specialist with over 10 years of hands-on experience in the automotive aftermarket. He has helped thousands of drivers find the right wheels, tires, and offsets for their vehicles, and writes in-depth fitment guides covering bolt patterns, hub bores, OEM wheel sizes, and tire specifications for every major make and model.