Fiat 124 Spider road test: Very new and... hardly new at all!

The bodywork takes cues from the old car, what wth the round headlights and the wide, verticle grille, but applies them in a distinctly modern way. The majority of the underpinnings, meanwhile, are pretty much straight from Mazda's much-acclaimed drop-top.

Granted, the suspension has been tweaked, but otherwise the only major change is the new powertrain. Unlike the MX-5, which uses naturally aspirated 1.5 and 2.0-litre engines, the 124 gets a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine. It sits between the two Mazda engines in power output, but the turbocharger gives it more torque and more mid-range grunt.

No matter which angle you approach it from, the 124 Spider is an impossibly pretty care. From the wide front and the wide, rounded healights to the creases in the long bonnet and the square tail lights, it's a stunning thing to look at.

Inside, it's basically identical to the MX-5, with the circular air vents, driver-focused cockpit and seven-inch infotainment system that perches on the main dashboard. There are a few differences though, such as the optional Tobacco leather fitted to our test car and the gear lever, which is slightly more comfortable and ergonomic.

As with the MX-5, the 124 Spider is hardly the last word in spaciousness. It's only a two-seater and there isn't even a glove box as suhc, although you do get a small cubbyhole in the centre console and a lockable box between the seats.

There is a little more space in the boot, but it's hardly cavernous back there. Official figures tell you there's 140 litres of space, although you'd be hard pushed to get much in. The opening is far narrower than the boot itself and because there's a huge boot lip, you'll have to heft heavy items quite a way to drop them in.

It's more than just the lack of storage that makes the car impractical, however - t's the lack of adjustability. The seat has plenty of fore and aft adjustment, but the backrest adjustment is notchy and the seat base doesn't move up and down. The biggest problem, though, is that the steering wheel doesn't adjust for reach. It's a small issue really, because it'll be fine for most, but taller drivers might struggle to get comfortable.

With the MX-5 as a baseline, it's no surprise that the 124 Spider is a great car to drive, but there is a very different character to the Fiat. The 138bhp engine may be less powerful than the MX-5's 158bhp 2.0-litre unit but it offers similar performance. The 7.5-second sprint from 0-62mph is two-tenths slower than the Mazda's, but the 134mph top speed is marginally faster.

In the real world, though, it actually feels substantially quicker than the Mazda. The turbocharger gives it real punch and means you don't have to drop so many cogs when overtaking. There is a touch of turbo lag, which is a little annoying, but keeping it on the boost is a small, yet rewarding, challenge.

Whereas the MX-5 is pin-sharp, the Fiat is a little woolier on turn-in and the body rolls more than the Mazda.

The steering, too, is a touch less direct. But those small concessions don't stop it being a really good car to drive briskly. The MX-5 is the ultimate driver's car, and though the 124 is a half-step behind in terms of excitement and involvement, it's actually a far better all-rounder.

The 124 Spider pricing starts from £19,545, which buys you the basic Classica trim. It's £1,100 more expensive than the basic 1.5-litre MX-5, but you do get the more potent turbocharged engine, 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless start and air conditioning, as well as other niceties such as cruise control.

Upgrading to the £22,295 Lusso gives you 17-inch alloys, climate control and the seven-inch infotainment system, which comes with satellite navigation and a reversing camera.

At the top of the range, however, is the £23,295 Lusso Plus, which adds leather upholstery, automatic lights and wipers as well as a Bose surround system.