Abarth 595 Competizione 180
Discussion
p4cks said:
Aaaaaaaand a few hours after typing that I've just bought a Monza exhaust from eBay. f
k sake.
Haha worse thing to do on here is talk about money or "maybe in the future" comments - although I promise you won't regret it. It is like adding a bottle of Tabasco to a small curry, you'll notice it I promise k sake. 
While driving today got a few photos at sunset, not great quality only off my phone but think they show how the fiat 500 is actually a very nicely styled car - find it much better in shape than the slightly fat looking twingo/smart fortwo or the dull up/mii/citigo trio
MajorProblem said:
RE mentioning the engine having an 80s old school feel, I think it's still pretty much the same unit as what powered the Fiat Uno Turbo and Punto GT.
it has to be less laggy than those. I loved and hated my punto GT in equal measure - but mostly it worried me with its off... nearly... nearly... no wait a bit longer... finally ON power delivery and wayward torque steer nearly 20 years of development has to have sorted it out
sawman said:
MajorProblem said:
RE mentioning the engine having an 80s old school feel, I think it's still pretty much the same unit as what powered the Fiat Uno Turbo and Punto GT.
it has to be less laggy than those. I loved and hated my punto GT in equal measure - but mostly it worried me with its off... nearly... nearly... no wait a bit longer... finally ON power delivery and wayward torque steer nearly 20 years of development has to have sorted it out
the 160 HP Turismo felt much like the yard stick i always use in this thread, my old 208 GTi. Quick, smooth and composed. My 180 HP on the other hand dopes feel overpowered, overwhelming and much closer to the limit of what the engine can do reliably (Being a Fiat FIRE until, its not that far removed from my old T-Reg 1.2 Punto I'm guessing). this time of year, 1st and 2nd are not full throttle gears, despite traction control and good condition tyres. it seems to rear up and take weight off the front wheels before unevenly regaining some traction and darting off whichever way the road camber is going. Just like a MK1 Focus RS from the sounds of it - you simply can't use all the power as its too twitchy on road.
On paper a fiesta ST would be beaten by the lighter Abarth (6.7 to 60 for the Abarth and 6.9 for the ST) but having driven this on many country roads now i do find myself saying "oh f..(insert appropriate word)" as it twitches or dives at often moderate speeds well within the limit, so wouldn't challenge an ST.
Nevertheless, like a broken record, I'm repeating on this thread that the character of the car really plays well, despite the unsubtle and occasionally very laggy turbo, scary handling, bouncy ride and a whole host of other stuff I've mentioned previously.
The best way i can describe the car is as being an old school 80's style hot hatch. you get the character, small size and uncomrpomised attitude, but you get all the negatives its rivals have eliminated.
1598Craig said:
you simply can't use all the power as its too twitchy on road.
and
Nevertheless, like a broken record, I'm repeating on this thread that the character of the car really plays well, despite the unsubtle and occasionally very laggy turbo, scary handling, bouncy ride and a whole host of other stuff I've mentioned previously.
yep, defo related to the punto then... and
Nevertheless, like a broken record, I'm repeating on this thread that the character of the car really plays well, despite the unsubtle and occasionally very laggy turbo, scary handling, bouncy ride and a whole host of other stuff I've mentioned previously.
I dont think the punto had a FIRE engine though - I think it was a carry over from the previous series. My punto had been remapped to about 150 bhp and a couple of other tweaks, but couldnt really put all its power down on anything that wasn't smooth and dry. I came to it from a Mk1 MR2 which was a lot more surefooted on suffolk backroads
you have definitely whetted my appetite, maybe I'll have a day out at the local abarth shop.....
sawman said:
1598Craig said:
you simply can't use all the power as its too twitchy on road.
and
Nevertheless, like a broken record, I'm repeating on this thread that the character of the car really plays well, despite the unsubtle and occasionally very laggy turbo, scary handling, bouncy ride and a whole host of other stuff I've mentioned previously.
yep, defo related to the punto then... and
Nevertheless, like a broken record, I'm repeating on this thread that the character of the car really plays well, despite the unsubtle and occasionally very laggy turbo, scary handling, bouncy ride and a whole host of other stuff I've mentioned previously.
I dont think the punto had a FIRE engine though - I think it was a carry over from the previous series. My punto had been remapped to about 150 bhp and a couple of other tweaks, but couldnt really put all its power down on anything that wasn't smooth and dry. I came to it from a Mk1 MR2 which was a lot more surefooted on suffolk backroads
you have definitely whetted my appetite, maybe I'll have a day out at the local abarth shop.....
My Punto wasn't a GT version, it was literally the lowest of the low, 60 bhp from a 1.2 litre engine. No power assistance in the steering, windows, doors, no air con, and music was provided by Cassette, but did feel italian to drive at least
(the handbrake wasn't on the car hence the brick, but judging by the fact it split in half having been the result of a dodgy cut and shunt, that was the least of its problems)
Word of warning about visiting an Abarth Garage though - they got me in and started the car up in the showroom. Once you've heard that, you'll buy one i promise. The sound is so disjointed from the size of car its coming from, so proceed with caution
1598Craig said:
Not 100% sure punto engine spec, but it wouldn't surprise me to find some distant connection, it certainly feels like an old engine attached to an enormous turbo, and all the better for it.
Block is the same as that of the Punto 1.4's (sportings?) I believe. I've got a Panda 100hp and it's definitely the same block with different manifold to get the extra 5hp!. The T-Jets use the same block but different internals to handle the boost. Great little engines though, take a fair bit of abuse. Only thing I can knock it for is fuel economy and that's probably my fault anyway.
1598Craig said:
Ahh, fuel economy...
I swear I'd get twice the mpg out of mine if I just stopped bliping the throttle or changed up earlier rather than leaving the car to rev out.
But hey, if you buy a car with 4 exhausts, might as well let them sing!
Same problem but a quarter of the exhausts xDI swear I'd get twice the mpg out of mine if I just stopped bliping the throttle or changed up earlier rather than leaving the car to rev out.
But hey, if you buy a car with 4 exhausts, might as well let them sing!
--- 2500 MILES REPORT ---
In a month of ownership, my fiesty Fiat has gone from 8 to well over 2.5K miles. Partly, thats due to my rural location, where every trip to my nearest Lidl is another 20 miles, but mainly its due to the fact its been a busy old month (as December is for most of us).
I won't mess around either - This car is right up as my favourite car I've owned. Perhaps more surprisingly, I'd say it was the Best too, not in an "italian-passion-character-makes-up-for-it" sort of way that's put on most italian car produce - each drive I'm learning this car just that little bit better and I really appreciate this one in ways I hadn't with my previous cars.
Im starting to appreciate the car much more on country roads and the like now I've learnt how in most cases to get the best from it - I had originally felt it wasn't a patch on my old 208 or any other current hot hatch for the way it couldn't flow and adapt down a challenging road. My Peugeot felt great on a nasty piece of tarmac as you could feel it absorbing the crash and bangs from the road but not getting thrown around by them. The handling felt smooth and consistent and the engine always gave good shove - it was an easy and rapid way to cover ground comfortably.
I still stand by the fact it doesn't "flow" as well as my Pug, but it goes about it in a different way. with my Abarth Its much more twitchy, nervous, unsettling but if you don't fight it (or expect the car to show itself easily) id reckon this car would be as fast if not faster than my 208. when you drive it well, and accept the "bluntness" of its composure it is a terrific thing to drive. It responds quicker to steering inputs, the engine seems to have stacks more power and at above 40mph the ride really settles down and holds the car well. Driving it today down a semi flooded night covered lane was fantastic, i nearly hit 45 in parts (speed limit was 60) but the Abarth felt buzzy and alive.
where as my 208 GTi was an easy going fast "all the time" sort of car, the 595 doesn't have that usability. you have to moderate throttle in the first gears to avoid torque steer, avoid unsettled surfaces, have good gear discipline and so on. Do that correctly and this is a fantastic car to drive, not just for a 500 derived car but as a modern hot hatch. All the branded kit fitted to this car now makes a lot more sense.
The original post in this thread was asking whether or not id feel as if i had downgraded from my 208 or missed out by not going for a fiesta ST. Now, more than ever, i think i did the right decision (If anyone has a fiesta ST etc would love to hear your take on this thread )
|http://thumbsnap.com/NLSkjuOP[/url]
In other Abarth news, while cleaning it today i got a photo* from the footwell of the seats. an often used criticism of the car is the seating position. Theres no lateral wheel movement (just height) while the seat has precious little forward/back movement and no height adjustment. Looking at the picture, theres a good bit of height that could be taken out the seat to have it mounted lower. its not any higher than most superminis, but the smaller car feel makes the perspective height seem much higher. Unlike my other cars, i have a deep down feeling this one is a keeper for ever, so maybe in a few years ill look at getting the height issue resolved - if anyone knows how or if this is possible with the sabelt seats please let me know.[url]
In a month of ownership, my fiesty Fiat has gone from 8 to well over 2.5K miles. Partly, thats due to my rural location, where every trip to my nearest Lidl is another 20 miles, but mainly its due to the fact its been a busy old month (as December is for most of us).
I won't mess around either - This car is right up as my favourite car I've owned. Perhaps more surprisingly, I'd say it was the Best too, not in an "italian-passion-character-makes-up-for-it" sort of way that's put on most italian car produce - each drive I'm learning this car just that little bit better and I really appreciate this one in ways I hadn't with my previous cars.
Im starting to appreciate the car much more on country roads and the like now I've learnt how in most cases to get the best from it - I had originally felt it wasn't a patch on my old 208 or any other current hot hatch for the way it couldn't flow and adapt down a challenging road. My Peugeot felt great on a nasty piece of tarmac as you could feel it absorbing the crash and bangs from the road but not getting thrown around by them. The handling felt smooth and consistent and the engine always gave good shove - it was an easy and rapid way to cover ground comfortably.
I still stand by the fact it doesn't "flow" as well as my Pug, but it goes about it in a different way. with my Abarth Its much more twitchy, nervous, unsettling but if you don't fight it (or expect the car to show itself easily) id reckon this car would be as fast if not faster than my 208. when you drive it well, and accept the "bluntness" of its composure it is a terrific thing to drive. It responds quicker to steering inputs, the engine seems to have stacks more power and at above 40mph the ride really settles down and holds the car well. Driving it today down a semi flooded night covered lane was fantastic, i nearly hit 45 in parts (speed limit was 60) but the Abarth felt buzzy and alive.
where as my 208 GTi was an easy going fast "all the time" sort of car, the 595 doesn't have that usability. you have to moderate throttle in the first gears to avoid torque steer, avoid unsettled surfaces, have good gear discipline and so on. Do that correctly and this is a fantastic car to drive, not just for a 500 derived car but as a modern hot hatch. All the branded kit fitted to this car now makes a lot more sense.
The original post in this thread was asking whether or not id feel as if i had downgraded from my 208 or missed out by not going for a fiesta ST. Now, more than ever, i think i did the right decision (If anyone has a fiesta ST etc would love to hear your take on this thread
)|http://thumbsnap.com/NLSkjuOP[/url]In other Abarth news, while cleaning it today i got a photo* from the footwell of the seats. an often used criticism of the car is the seating position. Theres no lateral wheel movement (just height) while the seat has precious little forward/back movement and no height adjustment. Looking at the picture, theres a good bit of height that could be taken out the seat to have it mounted lower. its not any higher than most superminis, but the smaller car feel makes the perspective height seem much higher. Unlike my other cars, i have a deep down feeling this one is a keeper for ever, so maybe in a few years ill look at getting the height issue resolved - if anyone knows how or if this is possible with the sabelt seats please let me know.[url]
- for a sense of perspective, my phone has a 4.7 inch screen, so the camera was around 5 inches off the ground, shows how much room there is to (possibly) play with lowering it
Hey...I'm writing this message to show my appreciation for your thorough review. I'm Italian and own exactly the same car in Campovolo colour. I think you hit the nail straight on the head. This car is addictive and its flaws are enticing. I drove 2800 miles so far and I'm still learning how to handle properly, but it's actually a little beast. As you said, it has all the pepper of the hot hatches from the '80s, A tiny engine with a huge, kicking turbo attached! Just...wooow!
Campovolo73 said:
Hey...I'm writing this message to show my appreciation for your thorough review. I'm Italian and own exactly the same car in Campovolo colour. I think you hit the nail straight on the head. This car is addictive and its flaws are enticing. I drove 2800 miles so far and I'm still learning how to handle properly, but it's actually a little beast. As you said, it has all the pepper of the hot hatches from the '80s, A tiny engine with a huge, kicking turbo attached! Just...wooow!
Thanks very much! Glad too see you chose the best colour it's fantastic that a car like ours still gets made, a city car with massive power and one that you have to learn and treat well to get the best out off it. Hope to hear off you more!
Campovolo73 said:
This is my beloved little one. As you can see, it's exactly like yours, except for the white stripes and mirrors!
Fatsterjack said:
Really useful thread this as I'm seriously considering getting one of these for the daily commute/running around.
How are you finding the exhaust day to day? The 180 seems to have a bit more growl than the 160 I drove but with a bit less drama (fewer pops and bangs).
Glad it's serving some use for yourself! How are you finding the exhaust day to day? The 180 seems to have a bit more growl than the 160 I drove but with a bit less drama (fewer pops and bangs).
The exhaust is one of the most prominent features of the car, it is unlike some systems which can be managed or quieted and is constantly present unless cruising on motorways etc when the car relativity calms down ( inside at least)
Cold starts are noisy, and not just high in decibel but also characterize - most of my mates have been impressed by the noise rather than think it is just a vulgar and nasty drone.
As a daily car you'll find a lot of advice that would discourage you from choosing this car, and on the surface there is some weight behind it. However, as the car is always "on" so to speak, you'll be able to appreciate it's character and talents on every journey. It's only know when I get a lift in a mates Corsa VXR or Fiesta ST that I can't help thinking there just a little dull.
I'd definitely recommend the 180 on power at least as it feels much perkier and has extra grunt that feels much superior than the 20 bhp gain suggests, and in Competizione spec as this one comes with all the best and most desirable kit as standard - sabelt seats, monza exhaust, etc.
There's a good few on autotrader (including a good few Biposto 2 seater models if you have a lot of... courage) and Fiat dealers are pretty keen in my experience to knock a good few pounds off.
Hope that helps mate, and more questions keep them coming
neilbauer said:
|http://thumbsnap.com/NLSkjuOP[/url]It looks like you could just remove the bracket that is between the seat and the runner and attach the seat straight to the runner! But it couldn't be that easy could it?
Fatsterjack said:
Thanks!
Had plenty of 'loud' cars and not too bothered by the fact that it would always be on, more that it's liveable with which from what you describe it certainly is.
https://youtu.be/iZvI7wfT4kMHad plenty of 'loud' cars and not too bothered by the fact that it would always be on, more that it's liveable with which from what you describe it certainly is.
https://youtu.be/yx5Ew8aY60U
They are my favourite videos of how it sounds, love the fact the nissan 370z has nearly 3 times the capacity yet gets blown away by the Abarth - the videos don't do the car justice
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