Wednesday 20th May 2015

More power and kit for Abarth 595

595 Competizione boosted 20hp to 180hp amid range of upgrades to the cutesy Abarth

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The world is not short of Abarth editions of the Fiat 500, with everything from the entry-level 135hp 500 Custom through to the barking mad 695 Biposto with a pricetag nudging £50,000 when specified with all its performance options.

And now the mid-ranking 595 Competizione is getting a power and spec increase, together with a predictable price hike. It now gets the brawnier 180hp version of Fiat's 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, a 20hp increase on before. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloys, Brembo brakes, Sabelt sports seats and - of course - aluminium pedals. The official 0-62mph time drops to 6.7 seconds (previously 7.4) and the top speed goes up 10mph to 140mph. Oh, and the 'standard' no-cost colour has now been switched from Campovolo Grey to Officina Red.

As before there will be both manual and auto 'MTA' versions and both hatchback and cabriolet bodystyles. The hatch now costs £19,890 with the manual 'box, an £800 increase on the 160hp version. The MTA hatch is £21,190. The cabrio will be £21,890 as a manual and £23,190 as an auto.

[mrclav]

These cars are a real hoot. For me, a true guilty pleasure...