2022 Abarth 595C Reviews

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Fiat Abarth 595 Competizione with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

The Abarth badge is unfamiliar to many, but most recognise the car as some sort of Fiat.The big difference between this car and either of the previous Abarth 695 specials is not in the amount of power they produce.Rather it's the fact that this Abarth can be had with a manual transmission, a feature that makes a world of difference to the overall drive experience.Even though the Abarth 595 Turismo packs less punch, it's still the pick and the fact it's cheaper is icing on the cake.DESIGNOur test car was stunning with two-tone, grey over red paint, twin big bore exhausts, and black wheels with red brake calipers - trimmed inside with red leather.The car is equipped as standard with Xenon headlights with dipped and driving light functions for improved light emission and excellent performance in all weather conditions.ENGINEPerformance is a factor of power versus weight. The more power a car has and the less it weighs, the quicker it will be out of the blocks.With a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, the tiny Abarth is a perfect example. The engine delivers 118kW and 230Nm, figures that are impressive for a car this size.This compares with the 695 model that develops 132kW and 250Nm from the same engine, but in a slightly higher state of tune.At the end of the day, however, there is absolutely no difference in performance as both do the dash from 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds.TRANSMISSIONAs appealing as either the Ferrari Tributo or Edizione Maserati may be, the MTA robotised manual gearbox they come with is a deal-breaker.Gear changes are jerky, and the car is prone to nose diving even though changes can smoothed out with a bit of practice.But why bother, not when you can have a five speed manual instead, a transmission that everyone is familiar with - and one that makes the car more fun to drive?CHASSIS17-inch alloys riding on Koni shocks with lowered front and rear springs, the Abarth is more of a go-kart than a Mini.The ride is firm verging on harsh at times and the car can become flighty when pushed hard on bumpy back roads, but you won't find any complaints here about the way it goes around corners.The standard the torque transfer control enhances traction without getting in road of the fun.Fuel efficiency is rated at 5.4L/100km, however we were getting 8.1 after about 350km.DRIVINGThe 596 would be more fun to drive if it wasn't so damn uncomfortable.The seating position is awkward with small short seat squabs and a steering wheel that does not provide any reach adjustment. Combined with high floor mounted foot pedals the driver always seem to be either too close or too far away from the wheel and the prone foot position can lead to cramps after a while.The answer could be to kick back and stretch your legs, but unfortunately the car is not fitted with cruise control.The pedals themselves are slightly offset to the right and it is possible to get stuck on the footrest when working the clutch (it's not the first Italian car that has this problem).The rear vision mirror is large, sits bang smack in the middle of the windscreen and obscures vision at times.Given the car is so small it is not surprising the back seat is tiny and fit only for small children.The engine has a surprising amount of torque, but fifth gear is strictly for freeway use.A Monza exhaust system provides the accompaniment, with a baffle that opens around 3000 revs to make it louder. It buzzes like a baby Ferrari.

Pat Dougherty to head Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in Australia.Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced Pat Dougherty will become the group's next Australian CEO and President, taking over the role from Veronica Johns who announced her departure on Tuesday.Dougherty has been with the North American arm of FCA for over 30 years, and moves into the role on December 1, from his current position of Vice President of Mopar, the parts and service division of FCA.Prior to this, he was the Head of Fleet Sales, Network and Operations and Head of Fleet Sales in North America.Veronica Johns tendered her resignation from FCA in August of this year citing personal reasons, but her departure was only made public earlier this week.Ms Johns’ two-year tenure at the top of FCA Australia saw not only record sales, but also a dramatic shift in the treatment of women within the company’s Australian arm.John Kett, Corporate Vice President of FCA and General Manager, APAC Operations said the company will look to continue down the path Ms Johns crafted."We need to continue our focus on sustainable growth across all of our brands and imperative to this will be the further development of our after-sales business to ensure that FCA is one of the most customer-focussed automotive companies in the market," he said.

Veronica Johns oversaw record sales at the Fiat Chrysler Group, and took a unique approach to breaking down the gender barriers.The first Australian woman to head a car company, Veronica Johns -- who earned notoriety for tearing down workshop posters of naked women, as well as record sales -- has announced her resignation as the boss of the Fiat Chrysler Group after almost two years in the role and 16 years with the corporation. Her departure at the end of the year means there will no longer be a woman as the boss of any car brand in Australia. Ms Johns earned the credibility of her industry colleagues after overseeing record sales growth, but she also quickly attracted attention from car dealers after she tore down posters of naked women in workshops during showroom visits. “It does take a certain personality type to cope with men in the car industry,” said Ms Johns. “Thankfully we’ve eradicated any gender issues in our company.” The transition didn’t come easily for some people. “When I started you could still walk into workshops with posters of naked women on the walls. “I ripped them off and threw them in the bin. The (workers) didn’t say much, and I’m sure they probably got them out of the bin after I left. “Women have to work in this environment and that’s what they’ve got to look at. Some people in the industry are blind to it. It’s just accepted as the norm and it shouldn’t be.” Ms Johns, 43, said she’d taken down posters of naked women “about four times” over the past three years, but hasn’t had to do so lately. “We’ve eradicated the gender issues from our business, but it’s still in other parts of the car industry,” said Ms Johns. The Melbourne-based executive says women are in more prominent positions in the car industry globally, but Australia is still catching up. In January 2014, Mary Barra became the first woman to become the global boss of a major car company, as the CEO of General Motors based in Detroit. Only handful of foreign women have run car companies in Australia over the past 15 years. American Judith Wheeler was the first, she ran Chrysler-Jeep in Australia from 2000 to 2003. Germans Jutta Dierks and Anke Koeckler successively ran Volkswagen’s Australian operations from 2007 to 2013. But Ms Johns is understood to be the first Australian woman to have run a large car company in Australia. At the time of her appointment in May 2013, she edged out male rivals from North America who were keen to take up the prime posting. Ms Johns said the car industry -- and car buyers -- would benefit from gender equality. “With modern technology so many cars have so many similar features these days, the biggest difference is how you treat people,” said Ms Johns. “Women are very competitive, and some can be brutal, but I believe we are still more inclined to treat people with kindness and respect. I think that, and the ability to relate to people, comes more easily to women than to men.” Car industry consultant Tony Devers, the former boss of Honda and Suzuki motor vehicles in Australia -- who accurately predicted in 2010, three years before any announcements, that the local car manufacturing industry would close by the end of the decade -- says there should be more women in the car industry. “There’s no excuse, women clearly have the skills and the drive and the passion for the business, but they typically tend to come into the car industry in marketing or human resources roles,” said Mr Devers. “The executives who rise to the top in the car industry have earned their stripes in sales, finance and strategic planning,” he said. Ms Johns will work with the her successor -- due to be announced in the coming days, and likely to come from Detroit -- until the end of the year, when she is expected to announce a new role the automotive industry. Under Ms John’s leadership, the monthly sales of Chrysler, Jeep, Fiat and Alfa Romeo vehicles increased by 53 per cent as the rest of the industry grew by about 2 per cent. So far this year, sales across all four brands are up 39 per cent in a market that is down 2 per cent compared with the same period last year. When Ms Johns accepted the role to run Fiat Chrysler Group Australia in 2013, she said: “I don’t think it makes a difference if you’re male or female in this business anymore. Good people rise to the top. The car industry is not a man’s world anymore.”

Fiat announces track-bred Abarth 695 Biposto superhatch for Australia.Abarth's fastest and most extreme performance model to date is coming to Australia.First revealed at the Geneva motor show in March, the Abarth 695 Biposto is in essence the road-going equivalent of the 695 Assetto Corse racer driven at the Bathurst 12 Hour in February by CarsGuide's own Joshua Dowling and Paul Gover.With a name that literally translates to two-seater, the 695 Biposto does gain an extra pew over the Dowling/Gover machines, but shuns the regular road Abarth four-seat layout in the name of weight reduction.The Biposto's tuned 1.4-litre turbocharged engine throws out 140kW and 250Nm – up from the 118kW/230Nm of the existing 595 models. The 0-100km/h time also drops from 7.4 seconds down to a claimed 5.9. This performance boost comes with a trade-off, as fuel consumption has jumped by 1.1L/100km to 6.5 combined over manual 595 models.While the idea of the hottest Abarth ever might have you chomping at the bit, a list price of $65,000 will quickly bring you back to reality.At this price, the Biposto is nearly double the price of the $33,500 595 Turismo and the $36,500 Competizione manual hardtops. It is however in the ballpark of Abarth's previous limited edition models, the $69,990 695 Tributo Ferrari from 2012 and 2013's $60,000 695 Edizione Maserati.An investment in the 695 Biposto does get you a performance car that oozes racing pedigree.In addition to a pretty serious cabin reinforcement structure behind the seats; Brembo brakes, Poggipolini rear roll bar, 18-inch OZ wheels, Akrapovic exhaust, BMC intercooler, Sabelt four-point seatbelts and Extreme Shoks suspension bring a high-performance motorsport flavour to the street-legal production car. The Biposto even has a data logger.You do get some more expected features of a road-going car as well with the Biposto having ABS and stability control.On the outside, the 695 Biposto an aluminium bonnet, fixed door windows with polycarbonate sliding openings, and lightweight 18-inch OZ wheels.Inside, the remaining seats are now carbon fibre with matching dash inserts, and front and rear panels. Titanium is also featured in the door handles, hub caps, wheel bolts and fuel cap.The 695 Biposto is being produced in limited numbers, and is available from Abarth dealers on a per order basis.

It's the season for convertible cruising and the wind-in-the-hair feeling need not come at great expense.Top-down driving with the wind in your hair isn't solely the province of the rich and famous. For as little as $21,000 drive-away, the sticker price of the little Fiat 500C convertible, you can savour spring motoring.Convertibles don't have to be fast, just cool. And they don't have to be practical because you - and sometimes your partner - are probably the only people enjoying the ride. But they have to be safe.There are about 40 convertible models around. Most exceed $60,000 but prices peak with the $1,075,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead.Convertibles are counted among sub-$100,000 sports cars, a segment that is powering. Sales are up 24 per cent to the end of August. Expect even stronger spring and summer sales as buyers eye the skies.SPRING SPIDERS This trio will put a smile on your face and won't bite too deep into your wallet. The Abarth 595, Mazda MX-5 and Audi A3 escape machines also suit city and suburban duties.VALUE Compact dimensions, four-cylinder engines and frugal fuel thirst indicate low ownership costs. But they're not in the same budget price band as hatchbacks.Audi's A3 Cabriolet, from $47,300, needs options to cement its prestige aura. Satnav, rear camera etc are packaged for $2000 and you'll have to add $450 for the acoustic roof, which should be standard. That's $49,750 plus on-road costs. There's no capped-price servicing - Audi estimates annual costs of about $500.Abarth's 595 Competizione convertible is the eighth model from the Fiat-owned performance arm. Theoretically, it's not a Fiat so there's are big bragging rights for the car's $39,000 price. Equipment levels are good, from 17-inch spidery alloy wheels to Sabelt race seats, digital instrument panel, full-length electric sunroof and Bluetooth connectivity. Again, no service program though Fiat/Abarth has a service menu. The marque's exclusivity benefits three-year resale, estimated at 61 per cent by Glass's Guide.The Mazda MX-5 is the world's most popular sports car and the only one voted a classic while still in production. There's a new one early next year. Meanwhile the two-seater exemplifies simplicity and a dogged mandate to achieve fine handling using off-the-shelf components.But it's expensive at $47,280 and has been around the block too many times to miss out on features we now expect as standard - park sensors, reverse camera, Bluetooth and so on. Mazda's capped price servicing contains service charges, keeping to as little as $929 for three years. Resale is 53 per cent.DESIGN This is a car segment that is all about "look at me''. Which one will get you the most looks or make you the centre of attention? Here the jury is divided - the Abarth looks as if it's on steroids and on test drew the most attention. The Mazda is clearly a sports car but despite its austere beauty, is too common to turn many heads. The Audi is perfectly proportioned, undeniably elegant and its visual appeal is reinforced by its German badge.The Abarth is all Italian flamboyance with chrome trim, lots of colour and artistic detail. The digital instrument panel is clever and incorporates data including lateral G-forces and the thin, body-hugging seats are trimmed in red cloth. Unnecessarily damaging to image is the Fiat "500C" badge on the passenger-side dash.The electric roof is more an extended fabric sunroof that retreats in stages, culminating in collecting up the rear glass and folding like a bustle above the boot lid masking all rear vision. Luggage space is 182L, expanding to 520L with the rear seats folded.The Mazda has a metal folding roof (also electric and also folding out of sight; there's no longer a cloth-roof model). Cabin detail is sparse but perfectly suited to its sports car theme and all-black materials ensure glare-free driving. Luggage space is only 150L.Inside, the Audi wins. Its cabin is clinical but oozes quality. It can fit four adults, only matched here by the Abarth. The boot is surprisingly spacious at 320L. The cloth roof folds back perfectly in line with the body so it looks classy topless or fully clothed.TECHNOLOGY The Abarth crowds a small but punchy turbo into the tiny nose for frugal use of 91RON petrol. A "sport" mode boosts outputs while race-oriented chassis components include intuitive Koni dampers up front, vented discs all around and dual-weighted steering.The simplest is the Mazda, sharing parts with the family's previous generation passenger cars yet riding on a unique platform. The engine outputs are relatively uninspiring but it's relatively frugal on 95RON fuel. It has perfect weight distribution. Honed suspension components and some aluminium parts (the bonnet, for example) keep weight down to help performance. The six-speed gearbox is shared with the Toyota 86.Riding on VW Group's lauded Golf platform, the Audi has a very taut, composed ride. Its turbo four turns a seven-speed dual-clutch auto for easily the best fuel efficiency, despite being the topweight here.SAFETY The four-star Mazda shows its age while the others, with contemporary safety gear, score five. There is a distinct sense of vulnerability that generally goes with the convertible territory.Audi has seven airbags, front and rear park sensors, active rollover protection and auto wipers and headlights plus optional safety kit. The Abarth has rear park sensors (but desperately needs a camera), tyre pressure alerts, bi-xenon headlights and five airbags. Only the Mazda has no spare; the others have space-savers.DRIVING Noise - and lots of it - is the Abarth's calling card. With engine and exhaust in "sport" mode, it sounds as if it's competing in a World Rally Championship stage.Generally, it's fun to drive, the open-air experience is wonderful. Power pours on, rushing through the beautifully weighted five-speed manual. The steering is pin-sharp and the seats wrap around the body, though the driving position is best for smaller people.When the road gets bumpy, however, the suspension is too hard to be comfortable. The Abarth's ride degenerates into a brutal shake that throws the short-wheelbase car offline through corners and even blurs the driver's vision.Far more domesticated is the venerable Mazda, which is the best at making driver and car fit like hand in glove. You can almost think it through corners, almost move your hips to adjust the rear end and merely apply light steering wheel pressure to arc the tightest corner.Ride comfort and handling are perfectly balanced and even if the engine wants for urge, it's such fun and remarkably competent in the city. Drop the top and you feel as if you're on an oversize skateboard.The Audi, however, takes the honours. The body rigidity and (optional) acoustic cloth roof lining make it feel more like a sedan. The silky smooth engine is incredibly frugal.Top down - it can be dropped at up to 50km/h - the wind buffeting is more than acceptable and the (optional) neck warmers combat crisp morning or evening air. The auto gearbox has a little low-speed lag but, overall, it's a beautifully accomplished car.VERDICT The Abarth is an enraged boiled egg; the Mazda is dictionary definition roadster; the Audi is the recipe for everything topless. Raw-edged owners will pick the Italian, singles will buy the MX-5 and more mature drivers will go for the Audi.WHAT'S A SPIDER?The term "spider" (or marketing variations such as spyder) is apparently drawn from a horse-drawn, light and open two-seater carriage popular in Britain in the era before motor vehicles. The carriage was known as a "speeder" but as the carriage became popular in Italy the phonetic spelling - "spider" - was adopted. As horses made way for internal combustion, small two-seat convertible sportsters became known as "spiders". There is also ostensibly a reference to the original folding-roof frames resembling spindly spider's legs.AT A GLANCE Mazda MX-5: 4/5Price: From $47,280 Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km Capped servicing: From $929 for 3 years Service interval: 6 months/10,000km Resale: 53 per cent Safety: 4 stars ANCAP Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 118kW/188Nm Transmission: 6-speed man; RWD Thirst: 8.1L/100km, 95RON, 192g/km CO2 Dimensions: 4.0m (L), 1.7m (W), 1.3m (H) Weight: 1167kg Spare: None Audi A3 Cabriolet Attraction: 4.5/5Price: From $47,300 Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km Capped servicing: No Service interval: 12 months/15,000km Resale: 50 per cent Safety: 5 stars ANCAP Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cyl turbo, 103kW/250Nm Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto; FWD Thirst: 4.9L/100km, 95RON, 114g/km CO2 Dimensions: 4.4m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.4m (H) Weight: 1380kg Spare: Space-saver Abarth 595 Competizione: 3.5/5 Price: From $39,000 Warranty: 3 years/150,000km Capped servicing: No Resale: 61 per cent Service interval: 12 months/15,000km Safety: 5 stars ANCAP Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cyl turbo, 118kW/230Nm Transmission: 5-speed man; FWD Thirst: 6.5L/100km, 155g/km CO2 Dimensions: 3.7m (L), 1.6m (W), 1.5m (H) Weight: 1035kgSpare: Space-saver

Craig Duff road tests and reviews the 2014 Abarth 595, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Fiat Abarth 595 gets 'Ferrari' engineAbarth, the high-performance division of Fiat, has produced a limited edition version of its hot Abarth 595 and the really big news is the installation of a Ferrari engine! Well, it's not a Ferrari engines as in the megabuck supercar, but the one from the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari.The Abarth 595 '50th Anniversary' celebrates the introduction of the original Fiat 500 Abarth 595 in 1963. Following on Fiat Australia's sellout success with the limited edition Fiat 500 by Gucci, the company's Australia chief, Veronica Johns, says she is proud to have scored 50 of the Abarth 595 '50th Anniversary' for Australia. Ultra-trendy Gucci and ultra-sporting Ferrari are obviously very different brands, but both are iconic Italians. You have to give Abarth's marketing guys and gals top marks for coming up with special editions based on too dissimilar, but highly desirable, products. ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONPower for the 50th Anniversary comes from a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine. In the standard Abarth it develops 118kW, in the Abarth 595 Anniversary this has been increased to 132kW. There's up to 250Nm of torque thanks to an overboost function activated by pressing the Sport button. This puts the ECU into a full-on sports map and increases turbo boost. Sadly the Abarth 595 is only offered with an automated manual gearbox. Though it has been given the grand title of 'Abarth Competizione' it's still a fairly primitive unit. While it does have steering wheel paddles for pseudo-manual control, we would much rather have a proper manual gearbox.Should you be in the Northern Territory, you will find this little Italian hotshot has a top speed of 225 km/h. In the rest of Australia you will have to settle for sprinting from zero to 100km/h in under seven seconds, or take it for a trip to a racetrack.Driving dynamics can be adjusted by Fiat's DualDrive electric power steering with 'Sport' function. Even better, the TTC (Torque Transfer Control) system juggles the amount of grunt sent to each of the front wheels to maximise driver control and enjoyment.Best of all, the engineers at Abarth have designed what they call 'Record Monza'. This system is named after the famous Italian racing circuit and uses a variable-back-pressure, dual-mode exhaust that delivers an inspiring sound from the hot Abarth when you get the engine where it belongs - over 3000rpm. FEATURESThe hottest Abarth ever has 17-inch alloy wheels in 695 Magnesio Grey embellished by a red liner. Three-layer white paintwork, is an excellent contemporary reinterpretation of the 1963 Abarth. It is embellished with graphics that look spot on.Abarth 595 '50th Anniversary' has foglights, Xenon headlights and a fold-back sunroof, the latter just like the original. Inside are red leather sports seats with white inserts and red stitching. A historical logo adorns the steering wheel that's finished in black leather with red inserts. This logo is also used on the door kick plates.Standard gear includes climate-control air conditioning with pollen filter; CD/MP3 radio with controls on the steering wheel; an Interscope Hi-Fi system; and the Blue&Me voice control system developed in conjunction with Microsoft.On the accessory list there's some good stuff: a '595' vintage car cover, special edition sunglasses and even '595 Anniversario' dedicated Tramontaro luggage.PRICEThe Abarth 595 50th Anniversary special edition has a suggested retail price of $45,000. Not cheap, but you get a lot of sporting Italian automotive heritage for your money and, who knows, it may even become a collectors' car on day. 

The Abarth 695 Biposto follows 50 years after the launch of the first 695. The 1964 edition 695 featured a 699.5 cc displacement to provide maximum power of 22kW helping it reach a top speed of 130 km/h.The original 695 was appreciated for its agility and versatility in town and on mixed routes. The 2014 695 Biposto features a 141kW turbocharged engine and weighs just 997kg, propelling it from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds.Abarth engineers shed the compromises typical of road-going vehicles such as the rear seats to give the 695 its focused, racing edge. Many features are derived straight from the race track including a gearbox with dog rings, a first for a road-going car in this category plus fixed front windows with polycarbonate sliding panels.The 695 Biposto also features a front intercooler, Akrapovic exhaust system, Extreme Shox adjustable shock absorbers, MXL digital data logger, Abarth Corsa by Sabelt seats with four-point seat belts, Brembo braking system, lightened 18-inch OZ rims and rear titanium roll bar by Poggipolini. An aluminium bonnet and carbon fibre wing mirrors also help to reduce the overall weight. 

We turn the spotlight on the Abarth 500 Esseesse and ask the big questions, including the most important -- would you buy one?