Abarth 595 Competizione

[cornishboy1970]

Dropped into a dealer in Swindon and they have a red one in the showroom which was nice.

Options seem to have changed in that you have to pay for Xenon headlights which is a pain.

I asked about the LSD that comes as part of the performance pack and the Salesman said that it is only worth it if you run the car on a track. He said that he ran a demo with an LSD and then one without and didn't notice a difference in normal driving.

If I go for one I would want the LSD if it makes a difference but I prefer the standard wheels and not bothered about Carbon backed seats - would rather go for the Apple CarPlay and a 7" screen.

Red/White/Circuit Grey for me please....

Another test drive booked for next week, but they don't just hand you the car like the Cornish dealer.....

[AJB88]

cornishboy1970 said:

He said that he ran a demo with an LSD and then one without and didn't notice a difference in normal driving.
.

Probably wasn't driving it hard enough.

[Yipper]

The best small-car on the market. Saw a white one the other day. Fantastic little things.

[sl0wlane]

AJB88 said:

cornishboy1970 said:

He said that he ran a demo with an LSD and then one without and didn't notice a difference in normal driving.
.

Probably wasn't driving it hard enough.

I'll second that, the only regret I have on my order was not getting the diff (and no no longer an option I think?)

The standard car has the electronic simulated LSD that's turned on via a dash switch - dealer also said I wouldn't notice the difference... you can absolutely tell the difference when driving hard in wet or dry... corner exits far better.

[marky911]

I agree. We only have the TTC button but it grips fantastically out of bends.
I'm amazed how much ours doesn't wheelspin or torque steer. It only has 160bhp mind, but compared to my old 130bhp RS Turbos back in the day, the Abarths cope brilliantly.

Slightly off topic.
I'm loving the new 695 Rivale. Abarth have teamed up with Riva yachts.
I think I'm loving it anyway. For my wife of course. Is it gimmicky or cool? Hmm...

http://www.abarthcars.co.uk/695-rivale

3 minutes in, here.

https://youtu.be/yeFtXYBO0M4

Just rang our salesman for a price but he's off today. Think we'll get stung big time if we switch from the Trofeo already. It's only 6 months old. He's gonna ring me back tomorrow.

[Squadrone Rosso]

The diff is still part of the performance pack.

Carbon fibre seats, different wheels & the diff make it up.

The on line configurator is FUBAR but it's on the dealer system.

[Andy665]

Squadrone Rosso said:

The diff is still part of the performance pack.

Carbon fibre seats, different wheels & the diff make it up.

The on line configurator is FUBAR but it's on the dealer system.

That's good to know - having had dark thoughts about a 4C I have come back to a 595 Competzione as I think it will be a lot of fun for much more sensible money

[ecsrobin]

Andy665 said:

Squadrone Rosso said:

The diff is still part of the performance pack.

Carbon fibre seats, different wheels & the diff make it up.

The on line configurator is FUBAR but it's on the dealer system.

That's good to know - having had dark thoughts about a 4C I have come back to a 595 Competzione as I think it will be a lot of fun for much more sensible money

Yes for quite a while I thought it had been removed from the options list but as Squadronne found out it’s on the configurator.

I’d say LSD is a must, I do prefer the look of no aerial although the metal plug is slightly odd and the carbon backed seats look good but no one can see them so aren’t a deal breaker.

The other options I’d tick is the larger screen and carbon dash.

[Squadrone Rosso]

ecsrobin said:

Yes for quite a while I thought it had been removed from the options list but as Squadronne found out it’s on the configurator.

I’d say LSD is a must, I do prefer the look of no aerial although the metal plug is slightly odd and the carbon backed seats look good but no one can see them so aren’t a deal breaker.

The other options I’d tick is the larger screen and carbon dash.

Like this

[ben5575]

Squadrone Rosso said:

Like this

That photo sums up the problem with the driving position. If you're over 3ft6 your hands on the steering wheel catch your knees when turning it. The seat is too high and you have to move it too far back to try to get your legs in and under but there is no reach adjustment on the steering so your arms are fully extended.

Carbon looks nice though

[ecsrobin]

So over this week I’ll start drip feeding my European trip. I’ve written a lot and it’s more aimed at a travel blog rather than a motoring blog. But to keep it car orientated here’s a photo of my car up the Stelvio Pass:

[ecsrobin]

cayman-black said:

You are a good ambassador for Abarth ecsrobin!

It would appear so!!! Another one sold, now where’s my commission?

thefastcanadian said:

Thanks Robin for showing me your 595 yesterday, was just passing Meriden Milano today with no intention of buying a car but fell in love with one and bought it in under 15 minutes flat, from the point of walking in and leaving with sales invoice.



Really can't wait to collect it during the week. Not quite the spec of yours Robin but will suit me fine. Probably get some black supersprint alloys and black mirror cases and black Abarth door stripes. Just going to see how it is for a bit. Going to be strange in a little car again from a 300bhp 300c

The sales guy remembers you Robin mainly because yours was first 595 Comp 180 in UK

[ben5575]

Very nice.

Picked up my wife's new podium blue 595c Turismo last week.

I've been a bit snippy about the 500 based on my wife's previous Abarth 500c. I must say that the ride in the 595 his head and shoulders above the 500c.

I'm not sure whether the front end has been changed or whether it is as simple wheel size/tyre profile, but there is substantially less crashing, banging and scuttle shake. They've also resolved the turning circle which used to be horrendous to the point you couldn't change the main beam bulbs without having to take the wheel off as turning the wheel just didn't provide enough room.

Looking forward to driving it in anger once it's run in.

[ecsrobin]

ben5575 said:

I'm not sure whether the front end has been changed or whether it is as simple wheel size/tyre profile, but there is substantially less crashing, banging and scuttle shake. They've also resolved the turning circle which used to be horrendous to the point you couldn't change the main beam bulbs without having to take the wheel off as turning the wheel just didn't provide enough room.

The suspension has been changed to FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) so that potentially is the improvement with the tears on the Turismo being Koni and on the Comp it’s front and rear.

[pidsy]

Keeping an eye on this thread - I love these little abarths. Totally confused but the model line up and their many options - I'd love one but mrs P is gonna take some convincing.

[595Heaven]

Had my 595 Competizione a month now, and absolutely love it.

So much character in such a little package, and has some great details inside and out - Koni dampers, Brembo brakes, Sabelt seats, carbon, leather and Alcantara steering wheel, TFT instrument pack and a pretty good infotainment system. There's some lovely touches as well like the aluminium badging and fuel cap.

180PS from a 1.4 turbo - it's manic. Then there's the exhaust, quad pipes with a valve - sooo noisy on a cold start. Hilarious.

There are probably 'better' cars out there for the money, but as a fun car it's ticking all the boxes for me. It's a Jack Russell kind of car ;-)

[famoussas]

Had a phone call saying my Comp is in transit from the factory atm, might have it by the end of the month.

If I get it by then it'll be 9 weeks delivery from order which is better than I was quoted.

[Squadrone Rosso]

Mine’s on 1600 miles now. Absolutely love it.

Did 320 miles in one day without any comfort issues.

Out off all the cars I’ve had, this is the one which will cost me points. It’s bonkers.

Cleans up nice too

[ecsrobin]

So a quick update, (I still need to post my road trip!) I called Meridien Milano where I purchased the car from to book in for the 2nd service to find out they’re no longer an Abarth dealership as of this week! Nice of them to inform me I thought although I wasn’t surprised I hadn’t received anything.

So Snows group are now the dealers in Hampshire which is handy as its 5 minutes from work, a very helpful service centre chap on the phone who said they have the mechanic from Meridien joining them.

I was getting a badge swapped under warranty from Meridien but after speaking to the Snows chap he’s ordered me in the badge and will sort it out for me. So far just from a phone call I’m more impressed than the previous dealership, hopefully that’s reflected in the work.

[BMWBen]

Well, this thread has been very helpful.... I've crumbled and am selling my f10 M5 so I can get this:


Bloody brilliant. I've driven a few (and seen a few dogs) but this one was at the right price, the right spec and I couldn't resist!

Now I've got to try and hold my nerve for long enough to get a good price on my M5 and not sacrifice a few K just so I can pick it up sooner!