Fiat Launches Racy New Range Of Abarth 500s

NEW colours, more technology and a host of other changes feature in the latest range of Abarth 500 cars for 2014.

The new range has just been launched as part of a tie-in with the infamous Gumball 3000 supercar event, which visited Edinburgh and London recently as part of an international tour.

While the endurance road trip featured some of the world’s most exotic supercars, many of the loudest cheers were reserved for the fleet of Abarths – the new 695 biposto, a 595 Competizione, 595 Turismo and 595 50th Anniversario – taking part in the event.

It was the first time British crowds had seen the 190hp biposto on the road. The “most extreme Abarth has a top speed of 143mph and accelerates from 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds. It features a special “Grey Performance” paint colour, front, rear and roof spoilers, a Brembo braking system and can be specified with options such as a lightweight aluminium bonnet, carbon fibre detailing and four-point racing seatbelts.

The 595 Turismo is powered by a 160hp version of Abarth’s 1.4-litre turbocharged T-Jet engine and gets leather sports seats, 17-inch 10-spoke diamond cut alloy wheels. A similar engine powers the 595 Competitizione, which features a sports exhaust system, aluminium pedal kit and footrest.

With only 299 to be produced, the Abarth 595 50th Anniversario has a 180hp, 1.4-litre turbocharged T-Jet engine, and features an Abarth Competizione gearbox, 305mm disc brakes from Brembo 17-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the entire range receives a new instrument panel with seven-inch digital display. The display has two modes: ‘normal’ for information such as fuel consumption and ‘sport’ which shows performance data such as longitudinal/lateral acceleration.

The Abarth 500 range starts at £14,560 for the 1.4 T-Jet 135hp, rising to £32,990 (OTR) for the 695 biposto 1.4 T-Jet 190hp.

By Press Association reporters