RE: New Abarth 595 prices announced

[JoeMarano]

I wanted a Competizione for a long time but then common sense took over and I bought a Polo Gti instead.

I still think these are wicked cars but unless you are young or using it as a weekend car I don't see much practicality in them at all

[swazinut]

People buy them by the dozen here in Guernsey. Rumour has it that there's a Fiat 500/Abarth breeding programme on the island!

[ben5575]

140bhp, 1000kg and Italian. That combined with the noise, makes it an eminently sensible choice in my book

My wife has a red convertible and it is genuinely a joy to drive. Of course the polo et al are 'better cars', however these little things really do have great character and hark back to hot hatches of old.

RS6 and Arbarth is a very nice mix.

Did I mention the noise?

[sandys]

Ug_lee said:

Interesting that the 595 has a mechanical LSD, as not quite convinced by the TTC, as it doesn't really improve the powering out of slow corners on or off. Possible to retrofit a mechanical LSD to older Abarths?

You can add a Quaife and it works fine

[Trikster]

Just such a shame they don't come with a 6 speed box; I'm a great fan of quick small cars (loved my Lupo GTi back in the day) - but it's to frenetic at m/way cruising speeds for me - but perhaps I'm just getting old and not the target market.... where's the sporty small 'practical' car for those of us who are a bit older but don't need a big hatch or saloon but still the occasional 4 seats and/or boot?

[sandys]

I'm not the biggest fan of the 500 but a Polo Gti......have I woke up in a parallel dimension where a Polo has become even half decent to drive?

[JoeMarano]

I had a Clio 172 before it and you know how everyone over rates them.

I love it compared to the Clio to be honest and yes in my opinion at least the Polo is great to drive

1.8 turbo 192 bhp and 236ib/ft makes for quite a bit of fun!

[JoeMarano]

ben5575 said:

140bhp, 1000kg and Italian. That combined with the noise, makes it an eminently sensible choice in my book

My wife has a red convertible and it is genuinely a joy to drive. Of course the polo et al are 'better cars', however these little things really do have great character and hark back to hot hatches of old.

RS6 and Arbarth is a very nice mix.

Did I mention the noise?

I was pretty much going to get the Comp because it's a hot hatch lovers wet dream

Brembo's
sabelt
koni's
Record monza exhaust
garret

The noise is amazing but seeing as we already have a small car (seat mii) I wanted something a little more practical for myself. Although every time I put my foot down in the Polo I do long for that Abarth noise!

[JockySteer]

Love these things, but logic does take over when you look at prices and what else can be had for the money.
Can't fault the noise they make either. One of the very few 4 pots I enjoy listening to.

[loudlashadjuster]

sandys said:

I'm not the biggest fan of the 500 but a Polo Gti......have I woke up in a parallel dimension where a Polo has become even half decent to drive?

It's no Caterham, or even a 205 GTI, but it's far from a bad steer in its current 1.8 XDS+ guise.

[JoeMarano]

loudlashadjuster said:

It's no Caterham, or even a 205 GTI, but it's far from a bad steer in its current 1.8 XDS+ guise.

Yep! Don't get me wrong I could have spent a bit more and got something a bit more track focused like a 208 30th or 220 trophy but how often do I actually spend on track?

As a nice comfy hot hatch that can be fun when I want it to be it's great!

Only thing I would change about it is having it so that ESC can be fully disengaged then I think it would really be quite a hoot!

[Risky Shift]

MrBarry123 said:

I'd really like one of these but I hear (ha!) that they're just too noisy for long motorway journeys - not sure if any owners can confirm this?

I drove from Glasgow to Cornwall in mine; you get used to the noise after a while. It really wasn't an issue.

[silverback mike]

My lad has an Abarth essesse with the Monza exhaust. Whenever I drive it I absolutely love it. It's a fantastic little thing.

[mylesmcd]

Passed a dealer this morning looking for 49,999 euros for one of these!

40k base and 10k in extras, 50 bleedin k!

[JoeMarano]

I'm guessing that was the biposto!

5.9 seconds to 62mph sounds a laugh in a tiny car.

If money was no object I'd have one!

[LasseV]

I have an Alfa Romeo MiTo with 1.4 T-jet and brembos and so on. I have to say, that this motor is the best small turbo unit what i have ever driven. Well, maybe not the BEST but the most charismatic at least It sounds lovely, goes very well, has a lot of of tuning potential and works perfectly when going WOT. Uneven power delivery when driving half throttle tho. Fun car to drive.

595 is even more lighter and agile than MiTo, so this thing have to be a very fun car. Sounds good and look mega-good.

[mylesmcd]

I have a Dodge Dart with the same engine and although it makes a lot of noise it does move that fast!