Wednesday 18th November 2015

Abarth 695 Biposto Record launched

Record for daftest hot hatch? Record for highest number of special editions spun off one car? Not exactly...

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The Abarth 695 Biposto is a car we like very much at PH. With two seats, a dog-ring gearbox, limited-slip diff and kerbweight under a tonne, it's as raw and exciting as we would want from an Abarth flagship. The sticking point being that it's fiendishly expensive, with £50K a real possibility after enough option boxes are ticked.

In celebration of acceleration records set 50 years ago

This hasn't changed with the new Biposto Record, as it starts from £36,610. Still one for the die-hard enthusiasts then. It celebrates 50 years since Carlo Abarth set acceleration records at Monza and also that Abarth as a manufacturer holds 133 records. Not every single record is listed so it looks like we'll have to take their word for it. This means 133 Records are being produced, all in Modena Yellow with 'Tar Cold Grey' accents, a smattering of 'Record' badges and a build plaque.

It's mechanically identical to the Biposto, meaning the same 190hp 1.4-litre turbo with that gearbox and diff. Abarth claims 5.9 seconds to 62mph and a 143mph top speed. The Sabelt seats with four-point belts are standard, though it looks from here the sliding Perspex windows are still on the options list...

Of course the Biposto is daft, but that's a large part of why it's so charming. It may be a hackneyed cliché but the hot hatch world would be a lot duller if Abarth wasn't in it and there was nothing to see but Golf Rs. Think of it as the second car to your 458 Speciale and it will fit in just perfectly.

[mnx42]

I like the look of these I really do .... but @ £50K with options ticked, thats a lot of dosh. Having said that I'd love to have a go in one!!