Great points! Normally, yes.
Great points! Normally, yes. But the torque peak for the Abarth engine is at 2,500 RPM. Lower than for most normally-aspirated engines, but higher than some good turbocharged engines. Plus, the many other benefits and few downsides of the Spider like RWD, no second row of seats etc, all still make it better with the stick. There are a couple things I like about the 124 Spider compared to the Miata. The engine is not among those things.