Abarth 595 review
Abarth have a long and distinguished relationship with the Fiat
500, a car that has been reimagined in more ways than possibly any other. The
first Abarth incarnation
of the 500 was introduced at the Turin motor show back in 1963 and took Italy
by storm.
When relaunching the rebranded 500, Abarth were eager to add
their trademark brand of bite and exterior décor. Now no longer a Fiat,
the Abarth
595 has the Esseesse engine upgrade pack, upgraded equipment and a
tweaked chassis. Sub-divided into the top-spec Competizione and
Tourismo grades, the sporty supermini is poised to take on the likes of
the Ford
Fiesta and new Mini Cooper – and it might just come out on top. So,
why not check out the latest addition to the Perrys line-up and make your
mind up for yourself?
Exterior
Despite the car’s distinctive exterior aesthetic, the Abarth
is constructed from the tyres up on Fiat’s production line at Tychy, Poland.
Abarth focus on design, equipment and specifications while Fiat’s development
team oversees the component selection and special engineering.
Is that enough to distinguish a brand in its own right? You
only need a passing glance (or better, a spin behind the wheel) to realise that
this goes far beyond a generic performance sub-brand. The 595 comes with 10
unique paintjobs: three in super-stylish two-tone and all with a generous
slathering of urban chic. You can also choose between hard-top and soft-top,
with the latter an obvious choice for a spin along the Mediterranean coasts.
Interior
The Abarth 595 is all about a strong, performance-based
ethic, so the interior is not fussy or overstyled. The leather controls feel
rough and ready, the panelling is hard and the stereo is quite retro.
Rear-seat space has had to give way to driver positioning,
with passenger space making way for features such as raised Sabelt bucket
seats, high-mounted aluminium alloy gearstick and dramatic indicator lever.
Tech levels on even the most basic of the Competizione line is generous to say
the least. Climate control, rear parking sensors, Microsoft Blue&Me
Bluetooth and USB connectivity all come as standard, while sat-nav capacity and
the Interscope sound system (with 100-watt subwoofer) are optional extras that
are well worth considering.
On the road
This is where the Abarth racing brand can truly define
itself: compared to the old Fiat 500, the Abarth 595 is, quite frankly, a wild
animal.
Both the Competizione and Turismo grades have received the
Essessse engine upgrade pack, adding some serious extra bite. Under the bonnet
is a 1.4-litre T-Jet petrol engine with IHI RHF3-P turbocharger. This cranks up
to 158bhp with 170lb ft torque when switched to Sport mode. Good, but not
ground-breaking, you say? Well, factor in the power-to-weight ratio (the car is
just 1035kg claimed, 1135kg as weighed) and you’ve got yourself a package that
surpasses the SEAT Ibiza Cupra and Renaultsport Clio, as
well as matching up to the Ford Fiesta ST.
Buyers can choose between five-speed manual and automatic
transmissions, although initial tests suggest that the manual will give you
improved responsiveness, at £1,300 cheaper. The Record Monza exhaust, another
definitive feature available on the Competizione, gives off an excitable snarl
and will be noticed long before your car zooms round the corner.
The ride in the 595 is optimised for performance, staying
reactive (just short of jerky) with a feel for the road surface beneath. This
makes the 595 a precise handler, with a direct and surprisingly driveable
demeanour even at low speeds. With more flex than the Fiesta ST or Clio RS,
lowered sports springs and 17-inch alloy wheels, the 595 is a highly responsive
and ultimately enjoyable drive. And, with the car generating 43.3mpg, all this
performance won’t break the bank on fuel.
Verdict
So, all the signs suggest that Abarth have kicked off
their association with Perrys and 2016 in general with a potent little number that adds
a dash of excitement and unpredictability to an effortlessly stylish design
classic.
Yes, the Abarth 595 adds an extra level to the price tag of
the Fiat 500. But, with a host of chic new bodywork finishing options and a
performance package that will quite literally knock the wind out of you, it’s
worth it. The competing Fiesta ST supermini starts at just £17k – a bit less
than the lower-spec Turismo. But the Competizione comes with Xenon headlights,
tinted rear windows, climate control, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth
connectivity and the dual-mode exhaust system as standard – irresistible!
For more information on the new Abarth 595 or any of our
other new cars,
contact the experts at your local Perrys dealership today.