Superb Abarth 695 Biposto Record Edition for sale
No stripped-out 695 was perfect - but they don't come much more pristine than this treasured hand-me-down
There was a temptation, of course, to regard Abarth’s seemingly endless iterating of the humble 500 as nothing more than a fractional moving of very profitable goalposts. But the 695 Biposto, launched back in 2014, was a genuine attempt to get more serious with the supermini; not just for a far-reaching diet plan that meant the stripped-out version weighed less than a metric tonne, but also for the introduction of a quick-shifting ‘dog-ring’ sequential manual gearbox.
The subsequent Record Edition, launched to celebrate Abarth's 133 world records, did without the option of the latter, but retained everything else, including the now familiar 190hp-spec 1.4-litre four-pot that delivered a claimed 5.9-second 0-62mph time and 143mph top speed. Of the 133 examples built, just 39 were earmarked for the UK, priced from £36,610. This is one of them.
As you might expect, the equipment list did not reflect the cost: not only did you lose the rear seats, the stereo and air con were gone, too. Instead, you got a mechanical limited-slip differential, Extreme Shox adjustable dampers, Brembo four-pot calipers with floating discs, and lightweight OZ alloys to set off a rear titanium roll bar by Poggipolini. And let's not forget that titanium Akrapovic exhaust system, which provides the soundtrack to match the visual drama.
In its day (i.e. a decade ago when hot hatches proliferated), the additional commitment and endless clamminess required to keep Abarth’s spacehopper on the straight and narrow seemed like hard work given the alternatives available; now, its studious rejection of anything that could be mistaken for a creature comfort looks like just what the doctor ordered. Being forced to keep your hands on the steering wheel lest the Biposto sniff out a camber that has nothing to do with the desired direction of travel is all part of the fun.
Clearly, the owners (father, then daughter, from new) got this. Their fastidious ownership is reflected not just in the time capsule condition of a car that’s covered just 1,638 miles since new, but also in the £3,500 worth of official Abarth accessories that were subsequently fitted, including carbon mirror covers, titanium wheel bolts and fuel cap, Maserati Edition matt carbon dash inlays, and Sabelt four-point harnesses.
Despite minimal use, it has been serviced on the button and looks spectacularly good in Modena Yellow with its contrasting 'Tar Cold Grey' trim and carbon fibre addenda. Alongside all its original paperwork, it retains all the original cosmetic bits, should you feel the need to return the car to standard Record Edition spec. But we’d elect to go with the personalised flow, especially given the £32,995 asking price. Only super-fans need apply - but then that was the whole point to begin with.
Quote in the article sums up the entire 595 experience pretty well:
"In its day (i.e. a decade ago when hot hatches proliferated), the additional commitment and endless clamminess required to keep Abarth’s spacehopper on the straight and narrow seemed like hard work given the alternatives available; now, its studious rejection of anything that could be mistaken for a creature comfort looks like just what the doctor ordered."
They are 2 very different cars that share the same platform. One was aimed at being a luxury convertible, the other a stripped out toy. An example:
So the Record Edition (and indeed the rarer Rosso Officine editions) were not available with the Dog Ring box as an option. The Dog Ring Box was only a factory option on the original Matt Grey Biposto's as part of an option pack. There were 5 different option packs on the Grey cars
Special Kit 124 = £2990
Carbon Kit = £3700
Racing Windows = £1775
Track Kit = £3700
Dog Ring Kit = £8500
So base car was £33,055 if you ticked all the option boxes the car would be £53720.00
The Record Edition could not be spec'd with any options, however it was fitted with an LSD as standard from the factory which was not an option on the grey cars, it certainly was a must have as it further improved the already decent handling.
I had two amazing years with my Record Edition and its the one car in 30 plus years of owning cars that I regret selling.
However they are quite fragile especially around the suspension which is unique to this car.
Regards
Tim
Bos suspension wasn t it? Think I remember looking at one and thinking I d need 2 suspension services a year as a daily!
So the suspension was created for Abarth by Extreme. They were better known for their work mainly in the motor racing space but also dabbled with Dakar rally cars and mountain bikes.
https://extremeshox.com/company/
It was bespoke system to the Biposto and involved a few modifications from the standard set up.
This is an image of the set up
https://tinyurl.com/3pr7hptw
The main issue is the metal that the components are made from appears to not be strong enough for UK roads. I know of a fair number of cars that have suffered cracks in the metal where the component bolts to the car. This was my car after 10,000 miles.
I also suffered a problem with the front which again seemed to be caused by the metal.
Total replacement cost was well over £5k and that was only due to me finding some on the shelf at a dealer who had ordered them incorrectly and was not able to return them to Abarth UK.
Regards
Tim
For me, I'd love a Competizione to mess about with. I know they're not meant to be the last word in sophistication, but they look like a lot of fun, and I'm a great believer in the idea that some foibles can make a car really enjoyable. I did look at getting one here in Saudi before they discontinued them, but they were too pricy for what they were, so skipped it. I'll definitely have one when I'm back in blighty though.
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