Abarth 595 Competizione 180
Discussion
I like this car, exhaust sounds great! I hope you enjoy it. It reminds me a bit of a 106 GTI that i used to own. Little and great fun, mine was tuned so had the exhaust on etc so it sounded way better than standard.
I currently have a lease car through work, sometimes I wish I had gone for one of these!
I currently have a lease car through work, sometimes I wish I had gone for one of these!
DanTheDangerous said:
I like this car, exhaust sounds great! I hope you enjoy it. It reminds me a bit of a 106 GTI that i used to own. Little and great fun, mine was tuned so had the exhaust on etc so it sounded way better than standard.
I currently have a lease car through work, sometimes I wish I had gone for one of these!
Glad to hear you like it - I ran an old 106 1.1 few years back and this car defiantly has the same sense of smallness and nimbleness that the pug had (thankfully it has 3 times the power)I currently have a lease car through work, sometimes I wish I had gone for one of these!
My old 106 without power steering was a heavy old thing to get moving but at speed it felt fantastic, ironically because of its low weight
In terms of size, it's close to the 106 (in fact it's even shorter) but it's a bit taller. Would have loved to had a GTi 106, or even tuned mine, but unfortunately after a month of ownership ( it had 189,000 miles and was bought sold as seen from a scrap yard) it gave in on the A1 in spectacular fashion
Peugeot are definitely missing out not making a 108 GTi...
1598Craig said:
Did you spec yours yourself?
Yeah...I did. Actually I just changed the colour of body and brakes. The Campovolo grey is very peculiar to Abarths and ha a lot to do with the history of the brand. Stock Brembo were grey and I got them in red. So, it's an all grey outfit with some splashes of red|! Campovolo73 said:
To be honest, i think that one of the most incredible things about this car is its interior space. If you consider the size of its body, it's just amazing how roomy it is! They managed to use every square inch in the smartest way...
I'd defiantly agree with that, compared to my old 208 GTi it's not much smaller inside despite being much smaller outside - I parked next to one yesterday and was shocked how bulky it looked.I love how the rear head rests poke out over the back of the car when the book's open, properly crammed in there.
I've had a 50 inch tv and an armchair (desperately) in the boot and don't feel I've lost anything coming from the bigger peugeot - the only times I notice it is parking (which is massively easier) and if I try to adjust the seat back - there so close to the door I can't do it with the door closed. Small price to pay for a properly little car
http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/blog/what-happ...
Driving back home yesterday and I saw a convoy of a 106 GTi and 2 Saxo VTS's reminded me of this article.
Today other than the Abarth range and the Vauxhall Adam S, and the suzuki swift, there aren't any proper junior hot hatches around.
Seems a shame, and but I guess because of the likes of the Fiesta ST and like been so cheap (a second hand one on PCP or even new) I guess there just isn't a market case for them. The only way they can sell is by being a heart over head purchase (Abarth )
Driving back home yesterday and I saw a convoy of a 106 GTi and 2 Saxo VTS's reminded me of this article.
Today other than the Abarth range and the Vauxhall Adam S, and the suzuki swift, there aren't any proper junior hot hatches around.
Seems a shame, and but I guess because of the likes of the Fiesta ST and like been so cheap (a second hand one on PCP or even new) I guess there just isn't a market case for them. The only way they can sell is by being a heart over head purchase (Abarth
) clarki said:
I know what you're saying, back in the day I was in the Punto GT gang.
However, the fiesta isn't just cheap. It's also a bloody good car. Maybe that's why nobody really bothers with the cars you've suggested??
Don't get me wrong, this thread isn't anti-fiesta its a fantastic car and probably one of the best of the decade (can't really see anything else doing the same mix of skills any better)However, the fiesta isn't just cheap. It's also a bloody good car. Maybe that's why nobody really bothers with the cars you've suggested??
It's a shame the ka isnt up too much - same platform as the 500, surely an ST upgrade is something missed with that one? I've heard the next one will be a developing world car, so I dont hold much hope for that one either
The original sport Ka is the car I'd buy if it were available now, exactly what I look for in a car - cheap, unpretentious, fun, full of kit, blue leather seats
Having been inpired by an article on piston heads home page I've made a descion with my car.
I'm going to try and solves it's hellishly bad audio system
The CD player itself isn't bad, a typical mid 2000's cd player with 6 presets and an aux in plug. The sound is a bit thin but turn up the bass on the settings and the car does a decent job of being loud - much like my 106, the paper thin doors and smallness of the car mean its never going to rival a Lexus for audio sound.
The problem is Audio streaming - there's none. You need to plug or your phone into the USB plug socket and control the music on the speedo, not the radio itself. It feels half baked and is a poor patch up installed on the car, showing how much tech has changed since is came out 9 years ago (looks like this car could be like the original mini and just go on forever, no bad thing )
So my plan is to use a google chrome cast audio (£30) and plug it into the USB to of my car to charge it, plug the aux cable into it and stream the songs/sat nav straight from my phone to it (its basically designed to work in any music system and turn it into a Bluetooth style speaker)
I reckon if I wire it up and hide it under the passenger seat, could be a very cheap and effective upgrade. I'll post more when its in and working
I'm going to try and solves it's hellishly bad audio system
The CD player itself isn't bad, a typical mid 2000's cd player with 6 presets and an aux in plug. The sound is a bit thin but turn up the bass on the settings and the car does a decent job of being loud - much like my 106, the paper thin doors and smallness of the car mean its never going to rival a Lexus for audio sound.
The problem is Audio streaming - there's none. You need to plug or your phone into the USB plug socket and control the music on the speedo, not the radio itself. It feels half baked and is a poor patch up installed on the car, showing how much tech has changed since is came out 9 years ago (looks like this car could be like the original mini and just go on forever, no bad thing
)So my plan is to use a google chrome cast audio (£30) and plug it into the USB to of my car to charge it, plug the aux cable into it and stream the songs/sat nav straight from my phone to it (its basically designed to work in any music system and turn it into a Bluetooth style speaker)
I reckon if I wire it up and hide it under the passenger seat, could be a very cheap and effective upgrade. I'll post more when its in and working
The original Sport Ka is a riot to drive!
My old work mate used to drive me to work in his, 20+ Miles of nice A/B-Roads, ace motor. Always had a soft spot for them since, which resulted into me buying a Fiesta Mk5 ZS as my first junior hot hatch.
Just thought i'd share a few pictures of my GF's neighbours Sport Ka along with my ST.
Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr
ST by Michael Smith, on Flickr
ST by Michael Smith, on Flickr
ST by Michael Smith, on Flickr
My old work mate used to drive me to work in his, 20+ Miles of nice A/B-Roads, ace motor. Always had a soft spot for them since, which resulted into me buying a Fiesta Mk5 ZS as my first junior hot hatch.
Just thought i'd share a few pictures of my GF's neighbours Sport Ka along with my ST.
Hatches by Michael Smith, on FlickrST by Michael Smith, on FlickrST by Michael Smith, on FlickrST by Michael Smith, on Flickr1598Craig said:
Having been inpired by an article on piston heads home page I've made a descion with my car.
I'm going to try and solves it's hellishly bad audio system
The CD player itself isn't bad, a typical mid 2000's cd player with 6 presets and an aux in plug. The sound is a bit thin but turn up the bass on the settings and the car does a decent job of being loud - much like my 106, the paper thin doors and smallness of the car mean its never going to rival a Lexus for audio sound.
The problem is Audio streaming - there's none. You need to plug or your phone into the USB plug socket and control the music on the speedo, not the radio itself. It feels half baked and is a poor patch up installed on the car, showing how much tech has changed since is came out 9 years ago (looks like this car could be like the original mini and just go on forever, no bad thing )
So my plan is to use a google chrome cast audio (£30) and plug it into the USB to of my car to charge it, plug the aux cable into it and stream the songs/sat nav straight from my phone to it (its basically designed to work in any music system and turn it into a Bluetooth style speaker)
I reckon if I wire it up and hide it under the passenger seat, could be a very cheap and effective upgrade. I'll post more when its in and working
Unless you have a wifi router setup in the car, that won't work, sadly, because Chromecase piggybacks existing networks. a Miracast style one might...I'm going to try and solves it's hellishly bad audio system
The CD player itself isn't bad, a typical mid 2000's cd player with 6 presets and an aux in plug. The sound is a bit thin but turn up the bass on the settings and the car does a decent job of being loud - much like my 106, the paper thin doors and smallness of the car mean its never going to rival a Lexus for audio sound.
The problem is Audio streaming - there's none. You need to plug or your phone into the USB plug socket and control the music on the speedo, not the radio itself. It feels half baked and is a poor patch up installed on the car, showing how much tech has changed since is came out 9 years ago (looks like this car could be like the original mini and just go on forever, no bad thing
)So my plan is to use a google chrome cast audio (£30) and plug it into the USB to of my car to charge it, plug the aux cable into it and stream the songs/sat nav straight from my phone to it (its basically designed to work in any music system and turn it into a Bluetooth style speaker)
I reckon if I wire it up and hide it under the passenger seat, could be a very cheap and effective upgrade. I'll post more when its in and working
1598Craig said:
Having been inpired by an article on piston heads home page I've made a descion with my car.
I'm going to try and solves it's hellishly bad audio system
The CD player itself isn't bad, a typical mid 2000's cd player with 6 presets and an aux in plug. The sound is a bit thin but turn up the bass on the settings and the car does a decent job of being loud - much like my 106, the paper thin doors and smallness of the car mean its never going to rival a Lexus for audio sound.
The problem is Audio streaming - there's none. You need to plug or your phone into the USB plug socket and control the music on the speedo, not the radio itself. It feels half baked and is a poor patch up installed on the car, showing how much tech has changed since is came out 9 years ago (looks like this car could be like the original mini and just go on forever, no bad thing )
So my plan is to use a google chrome cast audio (£30) and plug it into the USB to of my car to charge it, plug the aux cable into it and stream the songs/sat nav straight from my phone to it (its basically designed to work in any music system and turn it into a Bluetooth style speaker)
I reckon if I wire it up and hide it under the passenger seat, could be a very cheap and effective upgrade. I'll post more when its in and working
Good thinking batman but won't you need to tether the chromecast audio puck thing to your phone?I'm going to try and solves it's hellishly bad audio system
The CD player itself isn't bad, a typical mid 2000's cd player with 6 presets and an aux in plug. The sound is a bit thin but turn up the bass on the settings and the car does a decent job of being loud - much like my 106, the paper thin doors and smallness of the car mean its never going to rival a Lexus for audio sound.
The problem is Audio streaming - there's none. You need to plug or your phone into the USB plug socket and control the music on the speedo, not the radio itself. It feels half baked and is a poor patch up installed on the car, showing how much tech has changed since is came out 9 years ago (looks like this car could be like the original mini and just go on forever, no bad thing
)So my plan is to use a google chrome cast audio (£30) and plug it into the USB to of my car to charge it, plug the aux cable into it and stream the songs/sat nav straight from my phone to it (its basically designed to work in any music system and turn it into a Bluetooth style speaker)
I reckon if I wire it up and hide it under the passenger seat, could be a very cheap and effective upgrade. I'll post more when its in and working
I want to like this car. Love the way it looks, but im too big for it (caught a reflection when driving my mums base 500 - bear in a pushchair). Im not a fatty, just tall (and not even that tall)
Can you get a comfortable driving position? Maybe the Abarth seats give more room/better position than the standards?
Can you get a comfortable driving position? Maybe the Abarth seats give more room/better position than the standards?
Mike1990 said:
The original Sport Ka is a riot to drive!
My old work mate used to drive me to work in his, 20+ Miles of nice A/B-Roads, ace motor. Always had a soft spot for them since, which resulted into me buying a Fiesta Mk5 ZS as my first junior hot hatch.
Just thought i'd share a few pictures of my GF's neighbours Sport Ka along with my ST.
Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr
ST by Michael Smith, on Flickr
ST by Michael Smith, on Flickr
ST by Michael Smith, on Flickr
Those cars look great, twice in 2 years the fiesta st has been in the last head to head of my car purchasing, so I'm rather keen on them. I don't like blue cars, its not favorite colour and I wouldn't normally see myself buying ond, HOWEVER, the blue that's on most ST's is sublime, and one of my favorite Production colours going.My old work mate used to drive me to work in his, 20+ Miles of nice A/B-Roads, ace motor. Always had a soft spot for them since, which resulted into me buying a Fiesta Mk5 ZS as my first junior hot hatch.
Just thought i'd share a few pictures of my GF's neighbours Sport Ka along with my ST.
Hatches by Michael Smith, on FlickrST by Michael Smith, on FlickrST by Michael Smith, on FlickrST by Michael Smith, on FlickrI miss ford making the original KA, can't see why the haven't put the effort in with the new one. I've heward they make no profit on it, so surely a specced upsporty version would give a good chance to increase the price?
How do you find the fiesta ST? I'm using that and my old 208 GTi as the yardstick to judge my abarth against.
For me it had to be in Spirit Blue as my previous Fiesta's, the Mk5 ZS was in Imperial Blue and the Mk6 ST in Performance Blue, so couldn't not have it in any other colour
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
^^^^ If you fancy having a nosy :P
Now the ST, they are utterly fantastic, the driving position, control weights, and the feel, all pretty much perfect, the ride is busy on less than smooth roads, it can lose it's composure somewhat, my mate has a 208 GTi, and has such a better ride on rough roads, it doesn't feel as stiff though. I love the Interior though, it's ultra modern, the ST feel's a little aged, but then again it has been out since 2009. Handling wise there's nothing in it unless both driving like a hero, then i think the ST has a slight edge overall, one thing that's surprised us both it how much more punchy, urgent and quicker the Fiesta is, once into 3rd it starts pulling quite a considerable amount more into figures i'am not willing to say...
The 208 GTi 30th Edition and the face-lift By Peugeot Sport version seem like a cracker!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
^^^^ If you fancy having a nosy :P
Now the ST, they are utterly fantastic, the driving position, control weights, and the feel, all pretty much perfect, the ride is busy on less than smooth roads, it can lose it's composure somewhat, my mate has a 208 GTi, and has such a better ride on rough roads, it doesn't feel as stiff though. I love the Interior though, it's ultra modern, the ST feel's a little aged, but then again it has been out since 2009. Handling wise there's nothing in it unless both driving like a hero, then i think the ST has a slight edge overall, one thing that's surprised us both it how much more punchy, urgent and quicker the Fiesta is, once into 3rd it starts pulling quite a considerable amount more into figures i'am not willing to say...
The 208 GTi 30th Edition and the face-lift By Peugeot Sport version seem like a cracker!
Edited by Mike1990 on Monday 18th January 17:27
Edited by Mike1990 on Monday 18th January 17:27
Mike1990 said:
For me it had to be in Spirit Blue as my previous Fiesta's, the Mk5 ZS was in Imperial Blue and the Mk6 ST in Performance Blue, so couldn't not have it in any other colour
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
^^^^ If you fancy having a nosy :P
Now the ST, they are utterly fantastic, the driving position, control weights, and the feel, all pretty much perfect, the ride is busy on less than smooth roads, it can lose it's composure somewhat, my mate has a 208 GTi, and has such a better ride on rough roads, it doesn't feel as stiff though. I love the Interior though, it's ultra modern, the ST feel's a little aged, but then again it has been out since 2009. Handling wise there's nothing in it unless both driving like a hero, then i think the ST has a slight edge overall, one thing that's surprised us both it how much more punchy, urgent and quicker the Fiesta is, once into 3rd it starts pulling quite a considerable amount more into figures i'am not willing to say...
The 208 GTi 30th Edition and the face-lift By Peugeot Sport version seem like a cracker!
I agree with that fully - the GTi rides better and has a really smart interior (especially with the led lit full length sunroof in prestige form) but the fiesta is the sharper drive.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
^^^^ If you fancy having a nosy :P
Now the ST, they are utterly fantastic, the driving position, control weights, and the feel, all pretty much perfect, the ride is busy on less than smooth roads, it can lose it's composure somewhat, my mate has a 208 GTi, and has such a better ride on rough roads, it doesn't feel as stiff though. I love the Interior though, it's ultra modern, the ST feel's a little aged, but then again it has been out since 2009. Handling wise there's nothing in it unless both driving like a hero, then i think the ST has a slight edge overall, one thing that's surprised us both it how much more punchy, urgent and quicker the Fiesta is, once into 3rd it starts pulling quite a considerable amount more into figures i'am not willing to say...
The 208 GTi 30th Edition and the face-lift By Peugeot Sport version seem like a cracker!
Edited by Mike1990 on Monday 18th January 17:27
Edited by Mike1990 on Monday 18th January 17:27
It terms of pace, my mighty GTi was very quick through the gears, but at motorway speeds it didn't feel as quick as you'd expect it to. Wasn't slow, just seems tall geared I guess, and slower than a fiesta (not that I've tried to keep up or anything lol)
The Abarth lacks the feedback through turns and the way may old 208 would flow with a busy road, but in terms of pace? My Abarth would be ahead by a long shot. Haven't yet had an encounter with an ST though...
Mike1990 said:
For me it had to be in Spirit Blue as my previous Fiesta's, the Mk5 ZS was in Imperial Blue and the Mk6 ST in Performance Blue, so couldn't not have it in any other colour
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
^^^^ If you fancy having a nosy :P
Now the ST, they are utterly fantastic, the driving position, control weights, and the feel, all pretty much perfect, the ride is busy on less than smooth roads, it can lose it's composure somewhat, my mate has a 208 GTi, and has such a better ride on rough roads, it doesn't feel as stiff though. I love the Interior though, it's ultra modern, the ST feel's a little aged, but then again it has been out since 2009. Handling wise there's nothing in it unless both driving like a hero, then i think the ST has a slight edge overall, one thing that's surprised us both it how much more punchy, urgent and quicker the Fiesta is, once into 3rd it starts pulling quite a considerable amount more into figures i'am not willing to say...
The 208 GTi 30th Edition and the face-lift By Peugeot Sport version seem like a cracker!
I agree with that fully - the GTi rides better and has a really smart interior (especially with the led lit full length sunroof in prestige form) but the fiesta is the sharper drive.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
^^^^ If you fancy having a nosy :P
Now the ST, they are utterly fantastic, the driving position, control weights, and the feel, all pretty much perfect, the ride is busy on less than smooth roads, it can lose it's composure somewhat, my mate has a 208 GTi, and has such a better ride on rough roads, it doesn't feel as stiff though. I love the Interior though, it's ultra modern, the ST feel's a little aged, but then again it has been out since 2009. Handling wise there's nothing in it unless both driving like a hero, then i think the ST has a slight edge overall, one thing that's surprised us both it how much more punchy, urgent and quicker the Fiesta is, once into 3rd it starts pulling quite a considerable amount more into figures i'am not willing to say...
The 208 GTi 30th Edition and the face-lift By Peugeot Sport version seem like a cracker!
Edited by Mike1990 on Monday 18th January 17:27
Edited by Mike1990 on Monday 18th January 17:27
It terms of pace, my mighty GTi was very quick through the gears, but at motorway speeds it didn't feel as quick as you'd expect it to. Wasn't slow, just seems tall geared I guess, and slower than a fiesta (not that I've tried to keep up or anything lol)
The Abarth lacks the feedback through turns and the way may old 208 would flow with a busy road, but in terms of pace? My Abarth would be ahead by a long shot. Haven't yet had an encounter with an ST though...
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