Abarth 595 Competizione 180

Abarth 595 Competizione 180

Author
Discussion

roystinho

3,767 posts

174 months

Saturday 12th March 2016
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Awesome. What colour is that? I want the solid dark grey that's all, not the metallic you have

Fatsterjack

181 posts

176 months

Saturday 12th March 2016
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roystinho said:
Awesome. What colour is that? I want the solid dark grey that's all, not the metallic you have
It's record grey, the solid is circuit grey I believe. Looks great with the black wheels and yellow callipers, I was sceptical about the wheels until I saw them in the flesh this morning.

roystinho

3,767 posts

174 months

Saturday 12th March 2016
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Fatsterjack said:
roystinho said:
Awesome. What colour is that? I want the solid dark grey that's all, not the metallic you have
It's record grey, the solid is circuit grey I believe. Looks great with the black wheels and yellow callipers, I was sceptical about the wheels until I saw them in the flesh this morning.
Yours looks like a great combo.

I'm fancying circuit grey, keeping red calipers, but having the Abarth stripes in red to match in

1598Craig

Original Poster:

121 posts

122 months

Sunday 13th March 2016
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Fatsterjack said:
Picked mine up from Westover this morning. Great weather for the drive back to Sussex, really pleased with it and surprised how comfortable I still felt after a two hour drive!



That colour spec looks great! Big fan of the yellow calipers and the grey stripes, its great how much you can change the look of a car by changing few key elements. How do you find the interior? Reckon leather seats would be a big plus point, you'll have to keep putting pics up biggrin

Fatsterjack

181 posts

176 months

Sunday 13th March 2016
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I'll pop some more up when I get back from an overseas trip.

Natural interior complements the grey nicely and the Sabelts are brilliant. Haven't had any bother finding a comfortable driving position despite the minuted adjustability either. Also can't get over the amount of rear legroom given the size of the car.

1598Craig

Original Poster:

121 posts

122 months

Sunday 13th March 2016
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Fatsterjack said:
I'll pop some more up when I get back from an overseas trip.

Natural interior complements the grey nicely and the Sabelts are brilliant. Haven't had any bother finding a comfortable driving position despite the minuted adjustability either. Also can't get over the amount of rear legroom given the size of the car.
Sounds great, reference room in the car, me and 3 mates (were all above 6 foot) fitted fine, other than the narrow opening to the back seats there's more room than In my much larger 208 I had.

They'd definitely sell more cars if people didn't think the car was to small for their needs

Turnip Farmer

167 posts

106 months

Thursday 17th March 2016
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1598Craig said:
That colour spec looks great! Big fan of the yellow calipers and the grey stripes, its great how much you can change the look of a car by changing few key elements. How do you find the interior? Reckon leather seats would be a big plus point, you'll have to keep putting pics up biggrin
Ditto on those yellow callipers, really sets the car off nicely.

Turnip Farmer

167 posts

106 months

Thursday 17th March 2016
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1598Craig said:
Sounds great, reference room in the car, me and 3 mates (were all above 6 foot) fitted fine, other than the narrow opening to the back seats there's more room than In my much larger 208 I had.

They'd definitely sell more cars if people didn't think the car was to small for their needs
I find the seating position OK (I am 6ft) but on long drives I do get a bit of a sore ankle due to the quite high clutch and unusual seating position but its something I can live with as I like my A500 so much biggrin

1598Craig

Original Poster:

121 posts

122 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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6 Months on report

Its been 6 months on since I acquired my Abarth, and seeing how i haven't written anything on this for a while i thought it would be a good chance to do a write up. Beforehand, all my write ups had been during winter, nights, bad weather and doing work rather than anything fun. now though, the weather is better and the car has had an opportunity to shine (bad pun there i think...)

The biggest change since my last update has been the weather, and odd one i know but bare with me. Now the weather is hot enough to drive windows down in the car, theres far more opportunity to enjoy its sound. Hunting out tunnels, narrow roads, in the better weather we've got now I've rediscovered how great it is to have a small car with a big sound, unmuffled by the windows. I do mention sound a lot in this thread, but as so many cars goes to a muted turbo burble, (Audi S1 anyone? 4 exhausts but no sound...) its good to celebrate one that goes against it.

Another repeat topic on this thread its the audio system, and its hilarious lack of connectivity. Theres been a change here, but its cost me.
£700 british pounds on an iPhone (other phones are available) but it seems to have partially solved the audio issue. Standard to the car is a "designed by windows" usb blue and me system. So far I've tried a Samsung S7, Amazon fire phone, and a few other android devices, none of which have been able to play songs in any way through the system. The iPhone works, but the connection isn't reliable. i often have to reconnect it to get songs/nav directions to play. The aux cable never had great quality, but the sound through a lightening cable is far better and mates have commented on how good the sound is - basic speakers but in a small space, they do a decent job. However, unless you own an iOS device (and presumably windows 10 phones) you can't play and control music in a safe way.

Another point is the sport mode, as I've mentioned before makes the steering heavier and throttle sharper. also, it frees up an extra 15ft lb of torque, and seems to slightly sound better (although even in "normal" the car isn't quiet). one thing I've wondered is whether or not its work the dull throttle response for appreciably better mpg. it can help in the city or motorway, where you don't need sudden changes of speed that an over sensitive throttle can bring but I can't resist having the sport mode on. the only thing that would change that is if the car became some hyper-milling economy star, but it doesn't. I did an hour on a motorway in each mode, and I've done a drive in and out of cardiff with each mode. on all occasions, the mpg was within 3 or so of each other, and on the motorway, it was better in sport mode. Put simply, even though it slightly turns down the engine and power delivery, theres really no point to it. it reminds me of the top gear a few years ago where a Golf GTi on the track was slightly quicker in comfort mode instead of sport.

Other notes? a service is coming up in the next 500 miles, the tyres are probably good for a couple thousand miles more (fronts only, they're predictably wearing out pretty quickly) and the car is finally getting some regular use as a four seater (even 5 once, don't ask). all in all, its going great. The only slight drama is a high pitch squeal when i reverse. could be the brake discs, as its only while reversing and turning, but it doesn't affect the motion of the car.
I'm going to get it checked out, but if anyone has any idea what it could be, feel free to post something.









can't resist a few photos of the car biggrin

Fatsterjack

181 posts

176 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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Great that you're continuing the feedback!

I'm a few months behind you but echo my ownership experience echoes much of what you say, car is a real hoot.

I haven't experienced any connectivity problems (iPhone) but otherwise I've had a similar ownership experience so far.

Love my round trip to the West Country coming by up which will be a bit of a test!

Turnip Farmer

167 posts

106 months

Monday 25th April 2016
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Hey buddy

Just read your 6 month update, glad your still enjoying your A500 just like I am apart from few issues.

Sadly you can't play music through the blue and me unless you have a windows phone I think according to the Abarth forums. I've not been able to get my Android phone to work through it and I've even updated Blue and Me to latest version 10. I have to connect via the Aux in like yourself. However the Bluetooth phonecall function works perfectly on my A500.

With regard to the squeal I too get that in reverse and also changing down gears when using engine breaking very occasionally but mainly in reverse when I lift up clutch pedal and rev little harder than normal. Might not be same issue as you but other A500 owners have reported same issue and I think it's part of the character of the A500, some others have said it could be the belt tensioner vibrating which makes the noise.

Just thought I share that with you being q fellow A500 owner :-)

Campovolo73

5 posts

98 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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I join the "squela club". I'm not concerned. I'm sure it has something to do with the brakes and it's not matter of concern! However, my TFT screen (which I love) is a bit noisy. It utters some cracking sounds on pits and irregular surfaces. I could try to spray some grease in the joints, but I'm afarid it could damage the screen itself! smile

Pageo

75 posts

170 months

Saturday 7th May 2016
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Excellent posts Craig, Im still undecided on one of these! Reason being is that i have the 595's bigger brother the Punto evo Abarth. Although the 595 is smaller i'm guessing with all that power and noise it is a hoon to drive. The interscope hi-fi system is a must have as the standard Abarth one is poor i think.

The two things i would miss from the punto would be 6 gears and cruise control, But that monza sound would make up for that?

Photos of the Abarth punto evo and my friends 595 competizione.

James,



1598Craig

Original Poster:

121 posts

122 months

Sunday 22nd May 2016
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Pageo said:
Excellent posts Craig, Im still undecided on one of these! Reason being is that i have the 595's bigger brother the Punto evo Abarth. Although the 595 is smaller i'm guessing with all that power and noise it is a hoon to drive. The interscope hi-fi system is a must have as the standard Abarth one is poor i think.

The two things i would miss from the punto would be 6 gears and cruise control, But that monza sound would make up for that?

Photos of the Abarth punto evo and my friends 595 competizione.

James,


Awesome looking cars, I came very close to ordering a punto Abarth in January 2014, but ended up in a 208 GTi. The dealer said the punto had just gone out of production and he had one of the last imported in his showroom. Unfortunately for him, he clearly wasn't in the mood to sell a car that day and asked me to leave so he could shut up early

I'm quite biased in my defence of the 595, as I live in s lovely bit of Wales full of sweeping lanes and good a roads. On the occasion I drive into a badly rutted street, like ones in Cardiff, I soon realise you can't realistically live with one in an area like that. The one place it excels however is the motorway - cramped (for me, 6ft 5) driving position aside, the ride is great and the steering very settled. No cruise control but I struggled to use it in my 208, as I always ended up making changes to speed so just never used it.

Maybe a lower spec none Koni dampers one could be a good compromise? I drove a 160 for a test drive on normal seats and suspension and I reckon that's the pick of the range all things considered.

1598Craig

Original Poster:

121 posts

122 months

Sunday 22nd May 2016
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FIRST SERVICE @ 9000 MILES

The Abarth had its first service last friday, at Wessex garages in Cardiff (where i bought said Abarth 6 months ago) Overall, it went great. No major problems, good service by the staff and only took an hour. Only had two small issues flagged up. One was the front offside tyre, showing wear and needing a change soon (but still legal). the other issue? the front nearside tyre. If anyone has any idea how an overly turbo charged 180 bhp fiat has worn out its tyres, please let me know biggrin

They'll be 84 pound to replace, and judging by how well I enjoyed the service, Ill be getting it done there.

The service took an hour, with an oil change, filter and health check all taking place. The car certainly seems peppier, and louder too. A couple of blokes in a polo at a roundabout shouted that they couldn't believe that little fiat only had 1.4 litres because "it sounded like an f-ing Ferrari" (Once again, another reason not to buy a quiet hot hatch).

While waiting there, I had a look around the Hyundai garage (Wessex in cardiff is Fiat,Kia Abarth and Hyundai) and as far as i could tell, Hyundai is right up there as a car maker. The Tuscon they had in the showroom was fantastic looking, and i think they occupy a niche one owned by Volvo for being a sensible and good car choice. They even had a i30 Turbo, a warm hatch that looked fantastic. The supplied Brochures in the waiting room had a top gear magazine article which showed what they make in Korea, and i was staggered by their scale. World's largest car factory been one of their records held, and they make everything from concrete to ship engines. If only they did an i10 turbo...

Moving on, one thing i did like was the health check, which most garages now offer. What made it stand out was the video they posted off it too me, which means you can see the various parts of the car that you can't get to without a lift. Nice to see my 595's massive brakes, big springs and starring joints all in good order. And nice to see that the exhaust isn't just 4 pipes on the back, but a good sizeable piece of kit biggrin

https://youtu.be/AvbUTic6v7U

The only bad point there was the valet, they might has well have not bothered. My 208 was always spotless when i got it back from Peugeot, proof that even ask the lower end of cars, good cleaning can be done. Other than that, Id highly recommend Wessex garages.

So, 7 months in, 9700 on the clock and all is going well. thanks to the fantastic weather we've had, the windows have been down too take in the awesome sound of the monza exhaust and the miles have all been enjoyed. Work commitments mean my road trip has been delayed, but hopefully ill get out on a big trip soon.









1598Craig

Original Poster:

121 posts

122 months

Monday 6th June 2016
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Some news from the web

Over the course of hot hatches, there have been good times (80's) and bad (90s) and there are some properly good points (now seems to be a golden age)

Much like the overall market, the market for small hatches has had some great times and great cars (106 GTi/Saxo VTS etc) but I think now the market favours larger, heavier and more expensive stuff. Other than the Vauxhall Adam S, which ain't bad but it's 158 Bhp and pricing to match a fiesta st, and the Suzuki swift sport (which is pushing into superminis territory rather than city car), the market is pretty flat frown


However, this week, VW have finally announced there going to give the Up the GTi treatment;

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

And THEN, Renault announced the Twingo would be getting a work over;

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-eurocars/renaul...


I'm sure they'll both be good, but how good? The Renault is quite expensive due to its complex power train, it's top model at the moment costs the same as an entry abarth with 135 Bhp which I think is a far better value buy. Pushing upwards on that puts it into fiesta st territory which I'm damn sure it won't have a chance against.

Hopefully vw gets the pricing right on its up and it could be a good mini hot hatch, but I doubt it'll be up there in terms of power with the abarth 595, and again, the current supermini crop are SO GOOD and not much more expensive, maybe that explains the mini hatch dry spell going on? The only reason the abarth sells is because it's such a unique proposition in its design and popularity, they may struggle to find a market. I hope VW and Renault do well, because they'll be great cars.

Hopefully Peugeot/Toyota/Citroen do a little make over on there cars - 1.2 turbo, 140 odd Bhp, cheap price, tiny weight, I'm sure that would be a proper challenger biggrin


I'll leave you with this from auto car, a little shout out to the best current mini hot hatch out on sale biggrin

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/five-be...

Mike1990

962 posts

130 months

Tuesday 7th June 2016
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I'am so looking forward to seeing more of these 'Supermini' Hatches, I had so much fun in my 100 BHP Fiesta Mk5 Zetec S, it's low weight meant I could keep with more on paper powerful Hot Hatches. It's a market that needs to return.

ecsrobin

17,016 posts

164 months

Wednesday 21st September 2016
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On Tuesday I get to join the world of Abarth ownership when I collect this:









2016 595 Competizione with performance pack which brings the Limited Slip Diff, carbon seats and supersport alloys.

MikeGoodwin

3,323 posts

116 months

Thursday 22nd September 2016
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ecsrobin said:
On Tuesday I get to join the world of Abarth ownership when I collect this:









2016 595 Competizione with performance pack which brings the Limited Slip Diff, carbon seats and supersport alloys.
Id have to have that spec of 500 if I got one. Bet itll be a riot to drive.

ecsrobin

17,016 posts

164 months

Tuesday 27th September 2016
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I picked it up today and I'm really happy so far even the small touches like alloy fuel cap and a glovebox full of BMC stickers :haha:

I decided I'd go the long way to work it just felt right.