Abarth 595 (2012) Turismo and Competizione join range

Two new versions of Abarth's 500 hot hatch have been revealed, coming as standard with more power, upgraded toys and even more personalisation potential.

There's also a handy price-drop for the standard Abarth 500, which gets a few tweaks to keep the Scorpion-badged pocket rocket fresh.

Starting from the bottom, there's the familiar Abarth 500, now starting from £13,975 - around £500 less than before. For that, you get a 135bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged engine (or 140bhp in the semi-auto version), air-con, 16-inch alloys, rear parking sensors and front foglights.

You'll still be able to spec the Essesse kit from your Fiat dealer to raise the power and add racier wheels, but Abarth would rather you went for one of the new 595 models if it's more power you're after...

The Abarth 595 Turismo gets the same engine bumped to 160bhp, and natty upgrades like aluminium trim pieces, pedals and bespoke floor mats, tinted windows, sports suspension, 17-inch alloys, and xenon headlamps.

There's also a splash more colour outside, thanks to grey front and rear grilles, red brake callipers and a choice of ten exterior hues. The 595 Turismo will set you back £17,725 in manual, hard-top form.

Competizione cars get the niceties from the 595 Turismo, but add cross-drilled brakes, a new design of 17-inch alloy wheel and the Monza exhaust upgrade. There's the same wide choice of colours, too, and it starts from £18,725.

No matter which version you go for, you can have your 500, Turismo or Competizione with a peel-back soft-top roof. The premium for al fresco hot hatch motoring is £1900, whichever model you choose.

However, CAR recommends you save yourself £1300 by not opting for the semi-automatic paddleshift option: it too is available on each new 500 and 595, but it won't be giving Ferrari's dual-clutch wizards any sleepless nights, thanks to slow-witted, jerk-fest changes.

If you're still desperate for some Ferrari flavour in your Abarth 500, we'd point you in the direction of the rabid funfest 695 Tributo Ferrari - though you'll need very deep pockets. Don't miss CAR Magazine's premium super-tot triple test in the August 2012 issue of CAR Magazine, where we test the Mini Goodwood, Abarth 695 Tributo and Aston Martin Cygnet.

By Ollie Kew