Friday 13th May 2016

New Abarth 595 prices announced

Prices from £15K for the latest quick 500, though you'll probably want the more expensive ones...

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Did you know the Abarth 500 has been around since 2008? There have been enough versions in that time to get a little confused, but it still appears to be a popular little hot hatch. Furthermore, there isn't a Renaultsport Twingo anymore, and you can't imagine many customers looking at an Abarth would also consider a Suzuki Swift Sport or Vauxhall Adam S. The Mini will always pose a threat to the 500, but it's rather less cute than it used to be...

Modena Yellow is new for regular 595 Abarths

This is the latest Abarth, the revised 595. It's on sale from today in three specification and two bodystyles: standard 595, Turismo and Competizione are all available as hatchbacks and convertibles. There are important differences between those models too, more so than just trim and wheels.

So while the 595 looks tempting at just £15,090, it does without a lot of the equipment that looks rather appealing further up in the range. As well as just 145hp (against 165hp), it does without the Koni FSD dampers and the new, lighter 17-inch 'Granturismo' wheels found in the Turismo. Get hold of a Competizione and the 595 also comes with a mechanical limited-slip diff, Brembo brakes and Sabelt seats, plus the option of a Performance Pack. With 180hp, Abarth claims a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds.

Used ones are getting cheap though...

However, there are features standard on all new 595s to entice buyers in. The front end is redesigned, with tangible heat management benefits: the new grille is said to increase cooling capacity. There's a more pronounced rear diffuser, new exterior colours and a standard Sport button, responsible for sharpening the usual dynamic parameters.

Inside - and let's be honest, that's important for an Abarth 595 - there is now a new steering wheel and instrument display, plus a Uconnect infotainment system with telemetry, Apple CarPlay and standard BeatsAudio. Don't underestimate the important of those last two!

Above the standard 595, the Turismo is £18,290 and the Competizione £20,290. Each convertible model carries a £2,000 premium. So yes, a Competizione drop-top is £22,290. If you're tempted but can't stretch to that, used ones are now available from £6.5K. Hmm...

 

[steve1386]

You would have to be soft in the head to spend £22k on a Fiat 500!! Don't care that they have re-branded as Abarth, it's still a Fiat 500!

[M1C]

Look at the spec the Competizione gets (or can be specced with...) sounds pretty good to me?


"while at the top of the range is the 595 Competizione, which features the most potent, 178bhp 1.4 T-Jet engine and costs £20,290.

This range-topper uses a freer-flowing Record Monza exhaust to put out an impressive 130bhp per litre. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.7sec, making it two-tenths quicker off the line than the rival Ford Fiesta ST"

"Buyers of the manual Abarth 595 Competizione can specify a mechanical limited-slip differential on their car, as part of a new Performance Pack, which adds 17in Supersport alloys, Sabelt leather and Alcantara seats with carbonfibre shells, 595 badging in the interior and a red, white or gloss black finish for exterior and interior trim.

Also standard on the 595 Turismo and 595 Competizione are Koni frequency-selective dampers, which adjust to driving conditions to offer a softer ride at low speeds and a firmer one at pace. They’re fitted to the rear end only on the Turismo and to all four corners on the Competizione.

The Competizione also features the beefiest brakes, in the form of four-pot Brembo calipers with 305mm perforated discs.

All 595s come with a Sport button that adjusts the engine’s mapping to offer maximum torque and tweaks throttle pedal and steering wheel calibration for sharper responses"

From an ex-Panda 100HP owner...the modulating dampers sound quite promising...if they work!

[MrBarry123]

I'd really like one of these but I hear (ha!) that they're just too noisy for long motorway journeys - not sure if any owners can confirm this?

[loudlashadjuster]

I've only driven one of the earlier Abarths but I've rarely been as disappointed in a car. Absolutely gutless unless in sport mode (whatever it's called) is enabled, and even then it only felt as if it had less than 100hp instead of the 130-odd it is meant to have.

That said, they look good, I still like them and am glad they exist, although maybe not at £18k considering the performance on offer. Maybe the one with 180hp and an LSD would be a bit tastier, but £20K?!

[shake n bake]

Does anyone actually buy these?

[nikaiyo2]

shake n bake said:

Does anyone actually buy these?

Yeah had 3!!!

Can see me getting another tbh! They just tick my daily commute box, 4 miles each way through town, can be used for client visits if needed and can be a bit fun.

I know all the other hot/ warm hatches are rationally better, but the Abarth is happy and not all po-faced and German.


Oh and it has scorpion badges.

[smilo996]

Pointless going to look at a 500 determined to take a logical decision. No one in their right minds would buy an expensive one but that it what everyone likes about Italians. The ability to get under the skin and force illogical decion making.

By far the best retro reinterpretation out there and so much fun to drive.

[Ug_lee]

Great fun these cars and I find mine the perfect opposite for my RS6.

I think my SS has the FSD Koni shocks and despite a lot of criticism online about the ride of standard Abarths I find mine undoubtedly firm but not uncomfortable by any stretch. So fitting these as standard should address some of the previous models issues.

Interesting that the 595 has a mechanical LSD, as not quite convinced by the TTC, as it doesn't really improve the powering out of slow corners on or off. Possible to retrofit a mechanical LSD to older Abarths?

[Ug_lee]

Double post

[1598Craig]

This seems like a great update to the 595, means when it's time for me to replace my competizione there are big improvements I can benefit from on the new one. In car entertainment and a proper lsd diff would massively help improve the car, but it's good to see the basic "tiny car too much power lot of noise" recipe still going strong.

Although a biposto is the real upgrade I want next

[nikaiyo2]

1598Craig said:

This seems like a great update to the 595, means when it's time for me to replace my competizione there are big improvements I can benefit from on the new one. In car entertainment and a proper lsd diff would massively help improve the car, but it's good to see the basic "tiny car too much power lot of noise" recipe still going strong.

Although a biposto is the real upgrade I want next

I was on the verge of getting a 695 last year, but with the options it was bit over £45k :s

I hope they have addressed some niggles, like no place to put your phone and cup holders that will hold a cup!

[jwilliamsm3]

My girlfriend has one, she loves it. She wanted a normal 500 so I had to make sure she didn't get one and made her get the abarth.
It's in campovolo grey and comes with the inter scope system and factory xenons.
I want to get a tuning box for it soon.

I haven't driven many small warm hatches, but I did go for a blast in it one night and I was quite impressed with it.
Not a patch on my m3 though lol

[lord trumpton]

Ive always seen the Abarth a fast version of the 500 for young girls or small blokes who frequent Starbucks, wear thick framed glasses (without needing them) and own the latest Apple gadget.

[roystinho]

Had a test drive of the last version Competizione with 180bhp, was a lot of fun. Really tempted to go for it but (amongst other things) heard about an imminent update. Proper mechanical diff, lightweight, great sound from that turbo'd 1.4 and the ridiculous monza exhaust, what's not to love?

It's a little on the expensive side, but as something a little different to a fiesta st I think it's worth it. Definitely has bags more character than the ford.

Love this class of hot hatch over the Golf R/Megane/Focus RS personally, you can properly rag them about and wring their necks without getting into silly speeds.

I'll be getting one in yellow with the performance pack, just a pity to get CarPlay its £700. Will be a great little replacement for my Clio Trophy

[Carl_Manchester]

shake n bake said:

Does anyone actually buy these?

I seriously considered one, went for the Polo GTI instead as the lease deal was significantly cheaper.

[Jordan210]

Carl_Manchester said:

I seriously considered one, went for the Polo GTI instead as the lease deal was significantly cheaper.

I feel when GF comes to changed car this will be the main deciding factor

[Downward]

steve1386 said:

You would have to be soft in the head to spend £22k on a Fiat 500!! Don't care that they have re-branded as Abarth, it's still a Fiat 500!

Turismo with 30 odd miles on at the main dealer was up for £14k.

Some big discounts available too on brand new models.

[Downward]

Carl_Manchester said:

I seriously considered one, went for the Polo GTI instead as the lease deal was significantly cheaper.

Lease prices for the 595 is crazy. Was hoping to lease one but as you say the gti is a much better deal.

[horsemeatscandal]

As far as prices go, I just got an offer from Liverpool Abarth via carwow for £145 with not a ridiculous deposit. If it wasn't for this new one coming out I'd have been very tempted. RRP for a new one is up around £250.

[Vocht]

I do really like these but you can get a lovely low mileage example that's just a few years old for just £10k. I know it's the whole 'Old vs New' argument but at £20k these are expensive and out of reach for the majority of their typical target market.

For me at that price range I'd have the brilliant Fiesta ST.