Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE:FCAU) has announced that it will offer a free track day to those who purchase its new 124 Abarth Spider.
The company has teamed up with the high-performance driving school known as Bondurant which is located in Phoenix. The free track day experience is part of their strategy to attract buyers by making it a more appealing offer. The Fiat 124 Abarth has a 1.4-liter engine that puts out 168 hp and 250 Nm of torque. That is not a lot of power for a sports car especially compared to other sports cars in the market. However, it is a rear wheel drive vehicle and can reportedly be fun to drive.
Fiat wants buyers to get the most out of their purchase and that is why the company is giving buyers a chance to learn how to handle it on the track courtesy of the Bob Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving. The free track day session will be offered to the buyers of the 124 Abarth Spider or the 500. The customers will be instructed by professional drivers. The Abarth has a lot of similarities with the Mazda MX-5 Miata. They have similar styling and driving character. However, Fiat wants to set the Abarth apart by giving the vehicle more power, a well-adjusted electronic steering system and a more premium interior.
As part of the partnership as well as the offer, Bondurant announced that the Fiat 124 Abarth would be accommodated as part of the autocross course. The move was relatively easy for Fiat Chrysler because the two have worked together before with a similar offer for Dodge Viper buyers. This time, the offer is unique because it is for a budget car priced at $28,100, something that Fiat has never done before. The track day includes hot laps, team rally cross activities, slalom, autocross, and skid. The instruction will be free though it normally costs $1,000. The buyers will have to cater for their own travel and accommodation expenses.
