Thursday 17th May 2012

180hp Abarth 695 Maserati Edition revealed

Maserati gets its own Tributo, and it has a convertible roof - in your face Ferrari!

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The idea behind the Aston Martin Cygnet is all very well, but can you really fathom spending all that extra cash on a leather-bedecked and bonnet-vented Toyota iQ when it's got no more poke than the model it's based on? Supercar owners - have some self-respect. If you really want a special city runabout, then surely Abarth has a better answer...

Like the Ferrari one, but breezier

Following on from the 695 Tributo Ferrari hatchback, Abarth has confirmed a new 695 Maserati Edition convertible is finally getting its public debut at the 30th anniversary running of the Mille Miglia. It was originally supposed to appear at Geneva, but all traces were mysterious erased days ahead of the show. Based on the 500C, Abarth hasn't said how much it will cost, but there are going to be just 499 examples, and if the £30,239 Ferrari version is any guide you can expect to pay probably twice the £17,868 of the standard car.

In return, the remarkably willing 1.4-litre Turbo T-Jet is cranked to 180hp - up from the stock 135hp - and attached to an Abarth Competizione paddleshift gearbox. This'll see off 62mph in "under" 7.0 seconds and claims a top speed in excess of 140mph. More than enough, all things considered.

Opulent stuff for a supermini

New Koni dampers and 305mm Brembos add further sporting credentials, while the "dual-mode" exhaust should ensure this is one little car that gets properly loud above 3,000rpm. The tailpipes are finished in a hexagonal shape - apparently a Maserati tradition. Who knew?

17-inch 'Neptune' alloys, Maserati 'Pontevecchio Bordeaux' paint and lots of beige complete the obvious visuals. Though look closely and you'll spot some flocked interior parts and plenty of 695 badging as well.

Of course, if all these designer labelled Tributos aren't quite PH enough there's always this mid-engined monster instead.

 

[Trusty Steed]

Yes please Santa clause! I have been a good boy and deserve one!

[Stew2000]

I think the DeTomaso Charade is more exciting. but that's just who I am

[Hellbound]

Awwww....aren't those wheels cute?

[M@1975]

One question.. Who on earth would pay that money for a Fiat 500 and why?

[British Beef]

Ubber Gay me thinks.

Not a "mans" car for sure.

[RichTBiscuit]

British Beef said:

Ubber Gay me thinks.

Not a "mans" car for sure.

someone's obviously not comfortable with their sexual orientation

[RichTBiscuit]

I'm genuinely interested as to who this is aimed at.

Russians, far east? Rich people who already have a Maserati and buy a city run around? (a la Cygnet)

[fozluvscars]

RichTBiscuit said:

I'm genuinely interested as to who this is aimed at.

Russians, far east? Rich people who already have a Maserati and buy a city run around? (a la Cygnet)

They seem to be flogging the 'Abarth' moniker to death. Not a fan myself

[Vantagefan]

I personally like the idea of turning small city runabouts into mentally fast hot boxes. Where the average speed is 30-40 getting between lights and weaving in and out of traffic makes these the performance cars of the urban environment. Maybe Aston should have tuned the Cygnet to deliver greater pace rather than make it more cumbersome with loads of leather!

[fozluvscars]

Vantagefan said:

I personally like the idea of turning small city runabouts into mentally fast hot boxes. Where the average speed is 30-40 getting between lights and weaving in and out of traffic makes these the performance cars of the urban environment. Maybe Aston should have tuned the Cygnet to deliver greater pace rather than make it more cumbersome with loads of leather!

you should get one of these then, not as much street cred but pretty mental -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V-aPjXyRvA

[RichTBiscuit]

Vantagefan said:

I personally like the idea of turning small city runabouts into mentally fast hot boxes. Where the average speed is 30-40 getting between lights and weaving in and out of traffic makes these the performance cars of the urban environment. Maybe Aston should have tuned the Cygnet to deliver greater pace rather than make it more cumbersome with loads of leather!

I too like the idea of Mentally fast small city car, however in order for this Abarth to be 'mental' it would need a lot more than 180bhp IMO.

[smartarse93]

fozluvscars said:

you should get one of these then, not as much street cred but pretty mental -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V-aPjXyRvA

A mid engined mini that does 0-60 in less than 5 seconds and will swap ends faster than most supercars, thus requiring large you know whats, has "Not as much street cred" as a front drive over priced mild hatchback without a hatch?

I dont think so?

[Contigo]

British Beef said:

Ubber Gay me thinks.

Not a "mans" car for sure.

I'd gladly have this as a city car, beautiful car. I'm 6ft 4 so whether I'd get in or not would be another matter.

[va1o]

I'd have this over the Aston Cygnet for the same money, but if I was after a posh small hot hatch the Audi A1 185 for £10k less would make more sense.

[rtz62]

I'll sum it up phonetically;
Sierra Hotel India Tango Echo.
Why have they made it?
Why do they think it could be worth upwards of £30k?
Why would you want it?

[rtz62]

And it 'über gay', by the way for those whose gaydar is malfunctioning!!!

[A Scotsman]

I wonder how this will compare with the new Clio Sport that's due out this year sometime?

[peter450]

30 grand, there really having a laugh with this

This is what 30 grand buys

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/hot-bmw...

Ok so it's no looker, (but then neither is this), but it's got RWD and 300+hp

There's also lots of other nice cars at 30k, i really cant picture who would want to spend 30k on this, other than some ultra die hard fiat fan

[Hairspray]

That colour is lovely. As are the wheels. If I needed a fast city runaround and had unlimited funds, I would want this.

[collateral]

Needs more gearstick