Abarth 595 Competizione 180
Discussion
rare6499 said:
Hey Craig, great to see another one! 
Looks fantastic.
I agree with you, the radio is shocking. For the money the 180 should of came with the uprated speaker system as standard tbh.
Thanks mate, rather keen on yours in red too! The radio is a like an early 2000's CD player but I can forgive this car anything, I'm properly taken with it Looks fantastic. I agree with you, the radio is shocking. For the money the 180 should of came with the uprated speaker system as standard tbh.
rare6499 said:
Hey Craig, great to see another one! Looks fantastic.
I agree with you, the radio is shocking. For the money the 180 should of came with the uprated speaker system as standard tbh.
When the Abarth's first came out they had an uprated speaker system, however they dropped that a couple of years ago. Looks fantastic. I agree with you, the radio is shocking. For the money the 180 should of came with the uprated speaker system as standard tbh.
Had the car for a full week so I'm going to write up something a bit more substainial than this, but while its fresh in my mind, I've just taken the car to st. David's shopping centre in Cardiff. Going up/down is a spiral ramp, very cramped and very enclosed. The noise from this little Fiat going up there was genuinely one of my favourite motoring moments - the car would not shut up popping, parping, howling the whole way till I parked up.
Is 3 days of ownership enough to say I'm completely taken with this car? Because it certainly seems that way.
Is 3 days of ownership enough to say I'm completely taken with this car? Because it certainly seems that way.
ONE WEEK ON --- 208 vs 595
Seeing as I've had a good time and chance to try my 595 thought id write a piece on how it compares to my previous Peugeot 208 GTi Prestige. I've made a few comparisons in earlier posts so ill try an expand on them here. Although the Abarth is based on the fiat 500, a car class below the regular 208, their power to weight and pricing are very similar so warrant some comparison. best grab a brew, this goes on quiet a while.
Driving - Performance
My 208 had, for a small turbocharged engine, a relatively smooth power delivery through the revs, and felt at its happiest low-mid range. Below 2000 rpm it could get slightly laggy, where as above 4500 rpm it seemed to be strained. Kept in the mid range would get more than enough poke, the car was positively rapid on the right road. the Abarth on the other hand, feels much different. lower down there isn't the same flexibility as i had in the GTi (partly due to the Abarths 5 ratios to the pug's 6) but around 3000 rpm, the 595 comes alive in terms of power and noise and keeps going to the redline. Its so good, its got me questioning if this car has 180 bhp at all. wouldn't be surprised to find a few more under the bonnet. Due to the noise, higher rpm performance and the gearbox (only 5 speeds but a good shift) i'd choice the Abarth's powertrain. put simply, its much more fun more of the time. The engine and its exhaust note do dominante the driving of the car. I'm getting around 33mpg, I'm sure id get 50 if it weren't for the pointless acceleration/gearchanges i do just to hear the exhaust.
Driving - Ride
The 208's ride is subjectively better. it soaks up more bumps, transmits less to the cabin and isn't as unsettled by rough surfaces. Speed bumps aren't as much of an issue either. the Abarth, for 90% of the time, feels much like the 208, firm but controlled and not uncomfortable. However, speed bumps need to be taken slowly, very slowly. Also, broken surfaces upset the car more, and "wave patterned roads" (some country roads near me are built like car testing tracks) send the car into a bouncing motion. However, as a flip side, you do get more of a sense of speed in the Abarth, through many things (noise, engine, car's size etc) and the more energy the ride transmits, the faster the car feels. its quite characterful, like an original mini in some ways, but the not as good as the 208.
Driving - Handling
This is much the same as the ride. I've only driven on roads (within speed limits and not like a bellend) yet through roundabouts and sweeping country lanes, where as the pug would dive in and "flow" extremely well, the Abarth doesn't seem to communicate and flow to the same degree. The weather has been much colder than when i had the 208, (15ish degrees vs 2) which will affect the tyres grip. However, that doesn't seem the issue - the Abarth grips just as well if not better on its new michelin tyres. The steering feel (not fantastic on most modern cars - but for a different thread) is worse on the Abarth, as not much is felt through the wheel at all. you can carry speed and do direction changes quickly in both, but the bigger and slightly lower 208 felt more planted.
Interior
Again, the 208 is the better car here in most ways, but its not my favourite, thats the Abarth. the 208 was bigger, with more kit including a decent touchscreen with sat nav, DAB and good iPhone integration. the LED sunroof too, was a particularly good touch. The Abarth has a basic radio, aux cable, not sat nav, no dab and the bluetooth connection isn't great. This really doesn't matter however, a car like the abarth feels much more single minded than the pug. nothing on the car as a whole seems wasted, all the money is spent on driving related kit - brakes, suspension, bodykit (not needed but looks good ) where as the 208 felt like a top spec hatch given a strong engine. The 208's driving position isn't great but its much better than the Abarths, both have a straight arm bent leg posture but the abarth's seat is higher and non adjustable. the 208's seat itself however was just a regular seat with more bolsters, where as the 595 has fantatsicly good sablet seats. They hold you in place well, are comfy over long journeys and add a lot to the cabin. plus, they're included in the price. While the 595 can't flow down a road like the 208 could, most of the time your sat in a great seat, in a compact cabin with no distractions listening to a great punchy engine. Its by far the better place to be.
Miscellaneous
in the 18 months id owned my 208, not one person ever asked to have a go in it. within 3 days, 6 people had asked and drove my Abarth. several people have commented on the 595, its noise, colour, size being topics of discussion (including one man in bridgend with the same car as me bar the wheels ) I can't remember anyone showing much interest in the 208 bar the cashier at a mcdoanlds. it does seem then that the abarth is a likeable car, as all the feedback I've had has been positive. id pick the abarth in terms of looks too, i did love the 208's chrome/satin white big wheel looks, but from some angles it looked slightly off, and its far too big. its the size of a 306 from the 90's and thats what i regard as a focus/golf class car. The Abarth on the other hand is genuinely small. parking spaces not available to others are free, small gaps in traffic, motorway road works narrow lanes are not an issue - if you consider a car to be above all a tool to use, small size means it can go more places more of the time. And don't write it off as not being practical, i recently moved where i live and fitted a 50" tv with most my kit straight in the boot.
My verdict then is as followed - my 208 was the better allrounder and is a fantastic car to have; it would fit into most Pistonheads lives and cause no problems and be the sort of car you would drive just for the sake of it. My 595 isn't as capable, and id probably reckon down a road or a track wouldnt be able to pass my 208 - but it is the more fun car, with more character and for all its flaws it does the 3 big things i want from a car stronger - small, quick and fun. While on the whole its not as good, its the more focused choice.
i'm intending to do a long weekend away in the car, hopefully see more of what it can do.
Seeing as I've had a good time and chance to try my 595 thought id write a piece on how it compares to my previous Peugeot 208 GTi Prestige. I've made a few comparisons in earlier posts so ill try an expand on them here. Although the Abarth is based on the fiat 500, a car class below the regular 208, their power to weight and pricing are very similar so warrant some comparison. best grab a brew, this goes on quiet a while.
Driving - Performance
My 208 had, for a small turbocharged engine, a relatively smooth power delivery through the revs, and felt at its happiest low-mid range. Below 2000 rpm it could get slightly laggy, where as above 4500 rpm it seemed to be strained. Kept in the mid range would get more than enough poke, the car was positively rapid on the right road. the Abarth on the other hand, feels much different. lower down there isn't the same flexibility as i had in the GTi (partly due to the Abarths 5 ratios to the pug's 6) but around 3000 rpm, the 595 comes alive in terms of power and noise and keeps going to the redline. Its so good, its got me questioning if this car has 180 bhp at all. wouldn't be surprised to find a few more under the bonnet. Due to the noise, higher rpm performance and the gearbox (only 5 speeds but a good shift) i'd choice the Abarth's powertrain. put simply, its much more fun more of the time. The engine and its exhaust note do dominante the driving of the car. I'm getting around 33mpg, I'm sure id get 50 if it weren't for the pointless acceleration/gearchanges i do just to hear the exhaust.
Driving - Ride
The 208's ride is subjectively better. it soaks up more bumps, transmits less to the cabin and isn't as unsettled by rough surfaces. Speed bumps aren't as much of an issue either. the Abarth, for 90% of the time, feels much like the 208, firm but controlled and not uncomfortable. However, speed bumps need to be taken slowly, very slowly. Also, broken surfaces upset the car more, and "wave patterned roads" (some country roads near me are built like car testing tracks) send the car into a bouncing motion. However, as a flip side, you do get more of a sense of speed in the Abarth, through many things (noise, engine, car's size etc) and the more energy the ride transmits, the faster the car feels. its quite characterful, like an original mini in some ways, but the not as good as the 208.
Driving - Handling
This is much the same as the ride. I've only driven on roads (within speed limits and not like a bellend) yet through roundabouts and sweeping country lanes, where as the pug would dive in and "flow" extremely well, the Abarth doesn't seem to communicate and flow to the same degree. The weather has been much colder than when i had the 208, (15ish degrees vs 2) which will affect the tyres grip. However, that doesn't seem the issue - the Abarth grips just as well if not better on its new michelin tyres. The steering feel (not fantastic on most modern cars - but for a different thread) is worse on the Abarth, as not much is felt through the wheel at all. you can carry speed and do direction changes quickly in both, but the bigger and slightly lower 208 felt more planted.
Interior
Again, the 208 is the better car here in most ways, but its not my favourite, thats the Abarth. the 208 was bigger, with more kit including a decent touchscreen with sat nav, DAB and good iPhone integration. the LED sunroof too, was a particularly good touch. The Abarth has a basic radio, aux cable, not sat nav, no dab and the bluetooth connection isn't great. This really doesn't matter however, a car like the abarth feels much more single minded than the pug. nothing on the car as a whole seems wasted, all the money is spent on driving related kit - brakes, suspension, bodykit (not needed but looks good
) where as the 208 felt like a top spec hatch given a strong engine. The 208's driving position isn't great but its much better than the Abarths, both have a straight arm bent leg posture but the abarth's seat is higher and non adjustable. the 208's seat itself however was just a regular seat with more bolsters, where as the 595 has fantatsicly good sablet seats. They hold you in place well, are comfy over long journeys and add a lot to the cabin. plus, they're included in the price. While the 595 can't flow down a road like the 208 could, most of the time your sat in a great seat, in a compact cabin with no distractions listening to a great punchy engine. Its by far the better place to be.Miscellaneous
in the 18 months id owned my 208, not one person ever asked to have a go in it. within 3 days, 6 people had asked and drove my Abarth. several people have commented on the 595, its noise, colour, size being topics of discussion (including one man in bridgend with the same car as me bar the wheels
) I can't remember anyone showing much interest in the 208 bar the cashier at a mcdoanlds. it does seem then that the abarth is a likeable car, as all the feedback I've had has been positive. id pick the abarth in terms of looks too, i did love the 208's chrome/satin white big wheel looks, but from some angles it looked slightly off, and its far too big. its the size of a 306 from the 90's and thats what i regard as a focus/golf class car. The Abarth on the other hand is genuinely small. parking spaces not available to others are free, small gaps in traffic, motorway road works narrow lanes are not an issue - if you consider a car to be above all a tool to use, small size means it can go more places more of the time. And don't write it off as not being practical, i recently moved where i live and fitted a 50" tv with most my kit straight in the boot. My verdict then is as followed - my 208 was the better allrounder and is a fantastic car to have; it would fit into most Pistonheads lives and cause no problems and be the sort of car you would drive just for the sake of it. My 595 isn't as capable, and id probably reckon down a road or a track wouldnt be able to pass my 208 - but it is the more fun car, with more character and for all its flaws it does the 3 big things i want from a car stronger - small, quick and fun. While on the whole its not as good, its the more focused choice.
i'm intending to do a long weekend away in the car, hopefully see more of what it can do.
Edited by 1598Craig on Monday 23 November 00:00
Here's some pictures of my feisty fiat;
Campovolo grey isn't the colour I would have choose had I ordered from the factory, but I think its a good choice - is as someone commented on here as both striking and pretty plain st the same time.
The dash is hasn't changed in the last 8 years the car has been available, apart from the abarth having a turbo gauge. Still looks good, does the job fine, and has no distractions. Suits the car well and is much better made than the fiat rep would suggest
Driving position, not great but workable. Sabelt seats improve the position by being much more supportive than the standard items. Although yoiu do lose the side airbags
These seats feel very snug and hold ypou in well. When I take the 595 on track will be great to see them used. The only car that comes close to this is (of a similar size) its the Vauxhall Adam s/grand slam which can get the recaros out the corsa vxr. On a side note I actually quite like the Vauxhall Adam. (Crap I just typed that. Moving on ...)
I won't be minicabbing, but I can fit (not comfortably) behind my own driving position and I'm 6ft 5. This is more usable than most would think.
Little touches like the leather embossed parcel shelf make this car feel really very special, and not just a mass produced machine. I like that.
Days mounted gear lever works great. Remember the civic type r a few years ago having a similar set up and being praised. Having the shifter raised slightly works wonders IMO. Good gear knob too, good size and shape, although cold on winter start ups.
Last but not least, a big shout out to the heater, within a minute its warmed the car to a toasty level. The best I've ever had on a car I've owned. And this cold weather is making my exhaust sound very noisy on start up... Damn...
Campovolo grey isn't the colour I would have choose had I ordered from the factory, but I think its a good choice - is as someone commented on here as both striking and pretty plain st the same time.
The dash is hasn't changed in the last 8 years the car has been available, apart from the abarth having a turbo gauge. Still looks good, does the job fine, and has no distractions. Suits the car well and is much better made than the fiat rep would suggest
Driving position, not great but workable. Sabelt seats improve the position by being much more supportive than the standard items. Although yoiu do lose the side airbags
These seats feel very snug and hold ypou in well. When I take the 595 on track will be great to see them used. The only car that comes close to this is (of a similar size) its the Vauxhall Adam s/grand slam which can get the recaros out the corsa vxr. On a side note I actually quite like the Vauxhall Adam. (Crap I just typed that. Moving on ...)
I won't be minicabbing, but I can fit (not comfortably) behind my own driving position and I'm 6ft 5. This is more usable than most would think.
Little touches like the leather embossed parcel shelf make this car feel really very special, and not just a mass produced machine. I like that.
Days mounted gear lever works great. Remember the civic type r a few years ago having a similar set up and being praised. Having the shifter raised slightly works wonders IMO. Good gear knob too, good size and shape, although cold on winter start ups.
Last but not least, a big shout out to the heater, within a minute its warmed the car to a toasty level. The best I've ever had on a car I've owned. And this cold weather is making my exhaust sound very noisy on start up... Damn...
withoutabix said:
Looking good liking you assessment of the car very similar to what I feel about ours
Nice to see one in Campolvolo as we originally went to order one in that colour but ended up buying a Circuit Grey that they had in stock
Still loving it tho absolute riot of a car
Love the colour mates, especially the yellow brake calipers. Same thing happened to me - originally I wanted either black or "rally beige" but when I was quoted a proive they told me about my car having been ordered by a bloke who then cancelled the factory order and took one of their ex demonstrators - seems no one can keep patient enough to have one built Nice to see one in Campolvolo as we originally went to order one in that colour but ended up buying a Circuit Grey that they had in stock
Still loving it tho absolute riot of a car
sounds about right haha
how you finding sport mode?
Personally I love the extra urgency it gives to the throttle peddle and exhaust seems to bark little bit more but feel they have made a hash of the steering weights, i think they've attempted to "add" feel by making it heavier but to me it feels to artificial and fake!
how you finding sport mode?
Personally I love the extra urgency it gives to the throttle peddle and exhaust seems to bark little bit more but feel they have made a hash of the steering weights, i think they've attempted to "add" feel by making it heavier but to me it feels to artificial and fake!
withoutabix said:
sounds about right haha
how you finding sport mode?
Personally I love the extra urgency it gives to the throttle peddle and exhaust seems to bark little bit more but feel they have made a hash of the steering weights, i think they've attempted to "add" feel by making it heavier but to me it feels to artificial and fake!
There's a massive difference in the accelerator, you can be pumping the pedal in "normal" mode and have no affect on the forward motion at all, press the sport button and suddenly its jumping forward. Same with the exhaust, it loses some bark and snarl (but volume not so much!) With the steering I find the self entering force very strong and the weight oddly inconsistent in weighting - in Normal its too light as well. Surprising really how with these pretty big flaws I find the car much more endearing to drive than my 208 GTi ever was.how you finding sport mode?
Personally I love the extra urgency it gives to the throttle peddle and exhaust seems to bark little bit more but feel they have made a hash of the steering weights, i think they've attempted to "add" feel by making it heavier but to me it feels to artificial and fake!
Challo said:
Craikeybaby said:
Richyboy said:
Any deals available on these? (or is this the wrong place to ask lol)
There were a couple posted earlier in the thread...The big reason people buy a hot hatch is that they're great fun to drive yet are also cheap, practical and designed to be used every day. With the 595 it seems its too small for most people to be able to use, and it's only a 4 seater car which will write it off for some. However, not everyone need write it off, as this photo proves;
That's a leather recliner and a footsteps in the car, and myself and my mate got in the front. I'm not going to rival Eddie stobart any time soon, but this car is a lot more practical than you'd think.
That's a leather recliner and a footsteps in the car, and myself and my mate got in the front. I'm not going to rival Eddie stobart any time soon, but this car is a lot more practical than you'd think.
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