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!
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
Original Poster
206 posts
64 months
|
Yes please Santa clause! I have been a good boy and deserve one!
|
|
|
Stew2000
2,524 posts
48 months
|
I think the DeTomaso Charade is more exciting. but that's just who I am  
|
|
|
Hellbound
1,966 posts
46 months
|
Awwww....aren't those wheels cute?
|
|
|
M@1975
455 posts
97 months
|
One question.. Who on earth would pay that money for a Fiat 500 and why?
|
|
|
British Beef
471 posts
35 months
|
Ubber Gay me thinks.
Not a "mans" car for sure.
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
RichTBiscuit
399 posts
21 months
|
British Beef said: Ubber Gay me thinks.
Not a "mans" car for sure. someone's obviously not comfortable with their sexual orientation 
|
|
|
RichTBiscuit
399 posts
21 months
|
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
101 posts
14 months
|
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
532 posts
40 months
|
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
101 posts
14 months
|
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
399 posts
21 months
|
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
29 posts
35 months
|
fozluvscars said: 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
1,865 posts
79 months
|
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
11,755 posts
77 months
|
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
384 posts
25 months
|
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
384 posts
25 months
|
And it 'über gay', by the way for those whose gaydar is malfunctioning!!!
|
|
|
A Scotsman
818 posts
69 months
|
I wonder how this will compare with the new Clio Sport that's due out this year sometime?
|
|
|
peter450
1,324 posts
103 months
|
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
6,161 posts
77 months
|
That colour is lovely. As are the wheels. If I needed a fast city runaround and had unlimited funds, I would want this.
|
|
|
collateral
6,970 posts
88 months
|
|
