In a world of modern rallying dominated by all-wheel drive and hot-hatches, the arrival of the Abarth 124 Rally in 2016 was a welcome and thunderous echo of the past. It wasn’t just a new car; it was a statement of intent and a rolling tribute to one of the brand’s most iconic vehicles: the Fiat 124 Abarth Rally from the 1970s. While its spiritual predecessor battled against the Lancia Stratos and Ford Escort, this new contender entered the exotic FIA R-GT category, a niche designed for rear-wheel-drive sports cars where its main rival was none other than the almighty Porsche 911 GT3. Abarth wasn’t returning to the stages to follow the rules, but to remind everyone of the spectacle of the old school, injecting a much-needed dose of sideways action and pure sound into the championship. 

Although it shared its silhouette with the road-going Fiat 124 Spider—a car based on the brilliant Mazda MX-5 platform—the transformation carried out by Abarth’s Reparto Corse was total. The elegant convertible was sealed with a composite hardtop, and its chassis was reinforced with an FIA-homologated safety cage that turned it into a rigid competition monocoque. The heart of the beast was also unique: instead of the production model’s 1.4 MultiAir engine, a 1.8-litre “Bialbero” four-cylinder block with direct injection and a large turbocharger was installed, capable of delivering a fierce 300 hp. All this power was sent exclusively to the rear axle via a brutal six-speed sequential gearbox and a mechanical self-locking differential, a setup that demanded expert hands and promised an unparalleled show. Aesthetically, it was pure aggression: the banks of supplementary lights, the white OZ Racing wheels, and the air intakes proclaimed its sole purpose. 

The Abarth 124 Rally was designed with a clear objective: to dominate the FIA R-GT Cup. And it fulfilled its mission with crushing effectiveness. From its debut, it became the car to beat in the category, demonstrating extraordinary speed and reliability, especially on tarmac. It became a common sight to see it sliding from corner to corner on the stages of the Monte Carlo or Corsica rallies, its turbo engine hissing furiously and its rear end kicking out at every hairpin. The car clinched the R-GT Cup title consecutively in 2018 and 2019, cementing its status as a champion in its class. Although it never fought for overall victories against the all-wheel-drive WRC cars, the 124 Rally won the hearts of the fans, becoming one of the most acclaimed and photographed vehicles at every event it entered. 

The legacy of the Abarth 124 Rally is one of resounding success. It was a perfect “halo car” that not only paid a credible tribute to its ancestor but also forged its own legend as a genuine and winning competition machine. Its life in top-flight competition was relatively short, tied to the production cycle of the road car, which makes it an even more special and coveted piece today. It had no direct successor, marking the end of a fascinating and nostalgic chapter in the modern history of rallying. The 124 Rally proved that, even in the 21st century, the scorpion’s venom and the magic of rear-wheel drive are still an infallible formula for creating a true hero of the stages.