If you are looking for a car with an exciting drive in an exceptionally stylish compact package, the Abarth 595 Competizione is hard to beat.
Conquer the road
A 1.4 T-Jet engine with Garrett Turbo and 180HP of pure adrenaline allows you to push performance to the limit. In addition Abarth front and rear shock absorbers by Koni, with Frequency Selective Damping, optimise driving experience and safety. Through improving the car’s road-hold, handling and stability the 595 Competizione ensures maximum safety in all conditions.
The Brembo braking system gives you maximum action and maximum reaction, developed from their racing know-how. The system is comprised of four-piston aluminium monoblock fixed calipers, which ensure a quick response, combined with 305mm ventilated and perforated disc, giving you minimal braking distance and a reassuring feel, even after extended use.
Exclusive to the Abarth 595 Competizione the performance pack is available as standard and includes; Abarth Mechanical Limited Slip Differential, Abarth Corsa seats by Sabelt in leather and Alcantara with carbon fibre shell, Lighter 17-inch Supersport wheels in Matt Black, Window integrated aerial with aluminium roof carp and Abarth side stripe with coloured front and rear bumper inserts.
Designed with Performance in mind
An iconic design has been given a sporty makeover for the Abarth 595 Competizione. The front features poly-elliptical headlamps and daytime running lights, chrome trim and the distinctive Abarth logo. Flanking the Abarth stripes at the side are Corsa 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, while at the rear the four tailpipes of the dual-mode Record Monza exhaust system remind you that this is a performance car with attitude. The chassis features lowered sports suspension.
The new sports design features evolved aerodynamics including new lateral air intakes on the rear bumper, bringing increased air flow to the engine and intercooler. The new front bumper, side skirts, spoiler and rear diffuser contribute to sticking the car to the road.
4 tailpipe ‘Record Monza’ valve Abarth exhaust gives the 595 Competizione the power of voice. Through varying the gas flow, depending on the engine speed, it reduces back-pressure ensuring an increased power delivery and Abarth noise.
Customise your driving
A new racing leather trimmed cockpit features a leather and Alcantara sports steering wheel with carbon fibre detailing. A sports button allows you to customise your driving, altering the maximum torque output, steering calibration and adjusting the accelerator pedal. When this happens a TFT panel switches to a racing configuration to give you all the information you need.
The distinctive Sabelt sports seats add style and give good lateral support. These seats are available in black upholstery with an anthracite-coloured outer shell, or in an optional edition with Alcantara and leather upholstery and a carbon surround. The sporty theme continues with the aluminium pedals, gear knob and rounded dials on the contemporary dashboard.
No compromises
5-inch touchscreen radio as standard with Bluetooth, USB, Aux-in and DAB with optional upgrade to 7-inch touchscreen radio with sat nav.
The optional BeatsAudio™ system includes; 480 watts, digital eight-channel amplifier, two-dome tweeters installed in the front pillars, two midwoofers (165mm) in the front doors, two full range (165mm) speakers in the rear side panels and one subwoofer (200mm) in the boot.
Unleash the performance
Choose between hard top or electric soft top and let the fun begin.
First Drive: Abarth 595 Competizione
What is it?
Take one Fiat 500, add a crazy turbocharged engine, spicy bodykit and wait for the fireworks. That's what you get with the Abarth 595 - a proper pocket-rocket with boundless character as well as chunky hot-hatch looks.
What’s new?
Fiat’s evergreen 500 has been turned into a fire-breathing hot hatch before by legendary firm Abarth, but the latest version is now a permanent addition to the range. Available in semi-sensible Turismo or 100% barmy Competitzione guise tested here, the Abarth 500 is not for the faint of heart.
What's under the bonnet?
There’s a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol unit up front that offers a healthy 158bhp but more significantly 170lb.ft of torque. The exterior wears a seriously tough bodykit and gorgeous alloy wheel options, while there’s stiffer suspension and uprated brakes too. There’s some interesting touches inside too, such as the attractive metal-topped gearlever.
What's it like to drive?
This particular 595 had the optional leather bucket seats, which are terrifically supportive and look superb. In fact it’s very easy to carried away with the options list, especially when the end result is so much fun.
Drive the 595 in the manner it deserves and you’ll revel in the gloriously torquey engine, the hilariously raucous exhaust note and the way in which it dives into bends with limitless enthusiasm. It’s a car that works best when you chuck it about rather than use a delicate hand. Do so and it’s a complete riot, as well as remarkably quick.
Turn down the wick and it’s a little more like hard work. The great handling comes from the stiff suspension which means bumps are felt
How does it look?
It’s hard not to love the Abarth 500’s looks, even though from some angles it is almost comically pumped up. From a rational point of view it has the proportions of a roller-skate, with a short wheelbase, big wheels and minimal ride height, but it just makes you want to get in and drive it.
Any notion that the standard 500 is a car ‘just for girls’ is dismissed in a flash when it’s turned into an Abarth. Those in the know recognise the badge and those that don’t are intrigued.
What's it like inside?
Don’t forget that the Abarth is still a city car, however much its transformation has rendered it better suited to the open road. So up front there is a respectable amount of space for adults but the driving position is better suited to those under six feet in height. In the rear it’s kids or adults who are willing rather than pure luxury.
What's the spec like?
There’s actually quite a bit of competition at this price level, and on the one hand the 595 Competitzione is far from cheap. However, it does come with a lot of kit too; items like Xenon headlights and the glorious exhaust system are all standard. Go mad with the options list and you can break the £20k mark.
If you can live with the ride quality then the urban girl about town who wants a 500 more stylish than anyone else would be very happy with the Abarth 595 – although they might prefer the Turismo model. The other ideal buyer for the 595 is anyone who wants a small weekend toy to blast away the cobwebs that can also be used in normal circumstances, at least some of the time.
Facts at a glance
Abarth 595 Competitzione, £21,280
Engine: 1.4-litre unit producing 158bhp and 230Nm of torque
Transmission: Five-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels
Performance: Top speed 130mph, 0-60mph in 7.2 seconds
*Personal Contract Hire. Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 TJet 180 hp 70th Anniversary MY19 Manual incl. Andrenaline Green Pastel Paint and Brembo Black Pack at £825 incl. VAT. Initial rental £3,346, followed by 47 monthly rentals of £239 inc. VAT & excl. maintenance. Based on 6,000 miles p.a. Excess mileage charges apply.Vehicles must be ordered between 01/04/19 and 30/06/19 and registered by 30/09/19. Subject to status. Guarantees may be required. T&Cs apply. Leasys, SL1 0WU. Vehicles not in stock may incur Brexit related tariffs or other charges.
