Fiat performance fans have a lot to talk about this year… the Abarth range in South Africa has been expanded by the addition of new 595 derivatives. Pricing and specifications below.

On the back of the recently introduced Abarth 124 Spider – Fiat's answer to the Mazda MX5– comes updated performance versions of the 500. We've had experience of Abarth-fettled 500sbefore, but these are the all-new models. The new Abarth 500 comes in threederivatives: 595, 595 Turismo and 595 Competizione, withtwo body styles; Coupe and cabriolet.

Powerplant

All of the Abarth 595 models are powered by the Fiat 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, but each derivative comes with itsown specific outputs. The standard Abarth 595 engine produces 106 kW of power and 206 Nm of torque, the 595 Turismo engine produces 121 kW of power and 230 Nm of torque, and the top-of-the-range 595 Competizione engine produces 132 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque. All are front-wheel drive and you have the choice ofmanual transmissions or sequential robotised automatic transmissions.

Abarth Styling

The Abarth 500 is visually a lot different compared to its mainstream siblings. These Abarths certainly look the part and there are 15 different exterior paint shades in solid, metallic and bi-colour schemes as well as colour-coded front and rear bumper inserts. There are mirror covers and decal sets in either white, black or red and the front and rear light clusters are also new. There are eleven wheel designs with the choice of either 16- or 17-inch. The Turismo and Competizione come with 17-inch alloys as standard.

The sporty theme is carried through the interior. There are 7trim levels with fabric or leather, or leather alcantara combinations. If you opt for the Performance Pack on the Abarth 595 Competizione, you gainSabelt leather/Alcantara seats with carbon fibre shells.

Standard Features

Sabelt leather/Alcantara seats with carbon fibre shells seats are available if you opt for the Performance Pack

All Abarth 595 models come with air-conditioning (climate control on the Turismo and Competizione), electric windows and central locking with remote function, 7-inch TFT digital display with advanced Sport mode and Uconnect 5-inchradio hands-free Bluetooth integration and steering wheel controls. A BeatsAudioTMsystem with 7 speakers is optionally available and has a total output of 440Wand features a digital 8-channel amplifier, 2dome tweetersinstalled in the front pillars, a pair of 165mm mid woofersin the front doors, a pair of 165mm full-range speakers in the rear side panels and a single200mm subwooferin the middle of the luggage bay (in the spare wheel compartment). In terms of safety, you get 5 airbags, ABSwith electronic brake distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC) and anti-slip regulation (ASR) with Hill Holder function and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

The Abarth mechanical limited-slip differential is part of the new Performance Pack –available only on the new Abarth 595 Competizione with manual transmission, replete with 17-inch Supersport wheels, Sabelt leather/Alcantara seats with carbon fibre shells, and a 595 carved-aluminium badge on the roof.

Abarth 595 Price in South Africa

Note that theAbarth 595 Competizione version has been imported in limited numbers with additional cars available on special order. Every 595 comes with a3-year/100 000 km warranty and maintenance plan.

Abarth 595 R299 950

Abarth 595 Cabrio R339 950

Abarth 595 Turismo R369 950

Abarth 595 Turismo Cabrio R409 950

Abarth 595 Competizione R443 950

Abarth 595 Competizione Cabrio R483 950

Further Reading

Read all about the Fiat Abarth 124 here

Best Fun Cars under R600 000

Extended Test: Mazda MX-5 (with video)

Fiat 124 Spider is an MX-5 clone – but we don't care

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