The Abarth 124 Spider could be your new favorite toy

When the Fiat 124 spider was announced, most of the motoring press said the same thing about the new, Mazda Miata-based roadster.

Japanese engineering meets Italian design: the best of both worlds.

And this was all before Abarth - Fiat's infamous in-house tuning shop - ever got ahold of it. Adding the Scorpion logo to the side means an additional 10 horsepower, Brembo brakes, new dampers, a mechanical limited-slip differential, and - crucially - a louder exhaust that will assure viewers that this isn't just an Italian update to your father's Miata.

Abarth also announced the 400-horsepower 124 Rally, a throwback to a classic racer that is FIA R-GT spec. Fiats racing: the glory days are indeed here again.

Here it is.