Abarth Reviews

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Abarth 695 Biposto with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Fiat Abarth 595 Competizione with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

The Abarth badge is unfamiliar to many, but most recognise the car as some sort of Fiat.The big difference between this car and either of the previous Abarth 695 specials is not in the amount of power they produce.Rather it's the fact that this Abarth can be had with a manual transmission, a feature that makes a world of difference to the overall drive experience.Even though the Abarth 595 Turismo packs less punch, it's still the pick and the fact it's cheaper is icing on the cake.DESIGNOur test car was stunning with two-tone, grey over red paint, twin big bore exhausts, and black wheels with red brake calipers - trimmed inside with red leather.The car is equipped as standard with Xenon headlights with dipped and driving light functions for improved light emission and excellent performance in all weather conditions.ENGINEPerformance is a factor of power versus weight. The more power a car has and the less it weighs, the quicker it will be out of the blocks.With a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, the tiny Abarth is a perfect example. The engine delivers 118kW and 230Nm, figures that are impressive for a car this size.This compares with the 695 model that develops 132kW and 250Nm from the same engine, but in a slightly higher state of tune.At the end of the day, however, there is absolutely no difference in performance as both do the dash from 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds.TRANSMISSIONAs appealing as either the Ferrari Tributo or Edizione Maserati may be, the MTA robotised manual gearbox they come with is a deal-breaker.Gear changes are jerky, and the car is prone to nose diving even though changes can smoothed out with a bit of practice.But why bother, not when you can have a five speed manual instead, a transmission that everyone is familiar with - and one that makes the car more fun to drive?CHASSIS17-inch alloys riding on Koni shocks with lowered front and rear springs, the Abarth is more of a go-kart than a Mini.The ride is firm verging on harsh at times and the car can become flighty when pushed hard on bumpy back roads, but you won't find any complaints here about the way it goes around corners.The standard the torque transfer control enhances traction without getting in road of the fun.Fuel efficiency is rated at 5.4L/100km, however we were getting 8.1 after about 350km.DRIVINGThe 596 would be more fun to drive if it wasn't so damn uncomfortable.The seating position is awkward with small short seat squabs and a steering wheel that does not provide any reach adjustment. Combined with high floor mounted foot pedals the driver always seem to be either too close or too far away from the wheel and the prone foot position can lead to cramps after a while.The answer could be to kick back and stretch your legs, but unfortunately the car is not fitted with cruise control.The pedals themselves are slightly offset to the right and it is possible to get stuck on the footrest when working the clutch (it's not the first Italian car that has this problem).The rear vision mirror is large, sits bang smack in the middle of the windscreen and obscures vision at times.Given the car is so small it is not surprising the back seat is tiny and fit only for small children.The engine has a surprising amount of torque, but fifth gear is strictly for freeway use.A Monza exhaust system provides the accompaniment, with a baffle that opens around 3000 revs to make it louder. It buzzes like a baby Ferrari.

Craig Duff road tests and reviews the 2014 Abarth 595, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

We turn the spotlight on the Abarth 500 Esseesse and ask the big questions, including the most important -- would you buy one?

This may look like a Fiat 500 but actually isn't at all. It's an Abarth 500 and as you can see from the Abarth badge has a sting in its tail.

Fiat 500C TwinAir Lounge vs Abarth 500 | video

Twenty years from now, the carscape will be vastly different. Electric cars will be commonplace, hybrids will be universal and the Aussie V8 muscle car will be a page in history.But a handful of 2013 cars will have survived the turmoil to attain classic status just as the Ford Falcon GTHO from the 1960s is considered even more desirable today than it was when it first hit the road. Classic cars are not necessarily about horsepower or price.We know a collector who loves the humble, bumbling Morris 1100 in his multi-car garage. The first Toyota Prius is a car to keep because of its place in history. The original Mazda MX-5 from 1989 is just as “classic'' as certain Porsche 911s. The key to classic status is simple: Emotion.A car does a job in the same way as a fridge but it's much more than a machine, from the shape of its bodywork to the touch-and-feel pieces in the cabin and the way it makes you feel when you're driving. The attachment could take the form of the love you feel for a first car, even a humble '50s Beetle, or the satisfaction of finally parking a dream machine -- even a Leyland P76 -- in the garage.Classic cars don't have to be affordable on day one, because depreciation hits everything. Not enough, perhaps, to make the LaFerrari more than a dream but it could help with a Porsche 911 or an Audi R8 that's definitely desirable despite the showroom sticker.Which current cars will achieve classic status? If we really knew, the Carsguide crew would be putting them up on blocks today as investments for the future. But here are some likely suspects:Abarth 695 TributoPrice: from $69,990Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, 132kW/230NmTransmission: 5-speed sequential auto, FWDThirst: 6.5L/100Km, CO2 151g/kmThe Italian baby is outrageously expensive but this humble Fiat 500 has been touched with the Ferrari wand, which makes it special. It looks wicked and is a hoot to drive. Just plain fun.Holden Commodore SS-VPrice: about $50,000Engine: 6.0-litre 8-cylinder, 270kW/ 530NmTransmission: 6-speed manual or auto, RWDThirst: 12.2L/100Km, CO2 288g/kmThe last in the long line of truly home grown Holdens will soon be one to enjoy, thanks to improved efficiency and an Audi-style luxury cabin. The SS-V and HSV's coming F Series cars will be historic and performance icons.Range Rover EvoquePrice: from $51,495Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cylinder, 110kW/380NmTransmission: 6-speed manual or auto, FWD or 4WDThirst: 4.9L/100Km, CO2 129g/kmThis one is a fashion item, not an SUV. The Evoque is all about the looks, a lot like a Mini, but it is also a great drive and we know the all-paw drive examples will go almost anywhere.Nissan GT-RPrice: from $172,000Engine: 3.8-litre 6-cylinder, 404kW/628NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, 4WDThirst: 11.7L/100Km, CO2 278g/kmGodzilla is already a collector's car, thanks to earlier models tied to the GT-R that won the Bathurst 1000. The new model is a better car, and still great value, but collectors will need to find one that hasn't been battered and abused.Volkswagen Golf GTIPrice: from $40,490Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 155kW/280NmTransmission: 6-speed manual or auto, FWDThirst: 7.7L/100Km, CO2 180g/kmThe German pocket rocket is a top drive and the coming model, using the Golf Mk7 body, promises to be even better. The GTI has been a cult car since the '70s and truly great since the 2005 Mark 5.Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86Price: from $37,150/$29,990Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 147kW/205NmTransmission: 6-speed manual or auto, RWDThirst: 7.8L/100Km, CO2 181g/kmPeople who love cars have fallen for the Twins, the sports cars that won Carsguide's 2012 Car of the Year. There is a waiting list for both and the keen are paying more than the showroom sticker, because they deliver exactly what they promise at a great price. Pushed, we'd go for the BRZ in Subaru's signature blue.

The Abarth 500 is a tiny car with a big heart. This baby (or should that be bambino?) Italian sports machine is guaranteed to bring pleasure to anyone who loves sitting behind a steering wheel.In Australia we like our cars hot so the decision was made to import only the topline Abarth 500 Esseesse (trying saying ‘SS’ with an Italian accent and suddenly ‘Esseesse ‘ makes sense!).VALUEThe Australian line-up includes the standard Abarth 500 Esseesse and the Abarth 500C Esseesse convertible, our review vehicle was the closed coupe.The Abarth 500 comes as standard with powered door mirrors, climate control air conditioning, electric windows, an Interscope sound system with radio, CD and MP3. Much of the control of the audio system can be done through Fiat’s Blue&Me hands-free communication to minimise driver inattention.This model is not just about looks, the Abarth 500 has uprated suspension, cross drilled brake discs and stylish 17x7 alloy wheels (huge for such a small car) in a style unique to the model. TECHNOLOGYThe Abarth 500 Esseesse has a turbocharged four-cylinder 1.4-litre powerplant sitting under the front bonnet and driving the front wheels. It produces 118 kW of power and torque of 230 Nm. So it’s completely different to the original Abarth of 1957 that was rear-engined.DESIGNIt’s not just about the way it drives, but also in the retro styling that on our glittering white test car was further enhanced by stylish red side stripes carrying ‘Abarth’ lettering. The Abarth ‘scorpion’ badge sitting proudly in the centre of the grille and the wheel hubs leave no doubt this diminutive machine is something out of the ordinary when it comes to providing sting in the tail.Talking of the tail, have a look at that big spoiler and the huge exhaust outlets. The brake callipers and door mirrors also receive the full red treatment.Lowered suspension is emphasised by a body kit that neatly fills the area between front and rear wheels and continues to air extractors in the rear bumper. A deeper front spoiler aids aerodynamics and also feeds extra air to the cooling system and engine.SAFETYCrash prevention or minimisation features include ABS braking with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistance) to ensure maximum stopping power. There’s also an ESP (Electronic Stability Program) to ensure control is maximised at all times. A Hill Holder provides stress-free starts on a slope for drivers who prefer not to use the handbrake.Should you still manage to get it all wrong there are seven airbags. Abarth 500 has secured a five star EuroNCAP rating - something that’s not easy to achieve in a diminutive body like this.DRIVINGAcceleration is hard, but not in the fashion of a full-blown sports machine such as the Subaru WRX to which the Abarth is likely to be compared. Rather the Italian bambino is about ample power that demands the driver keep the car in the right gear to get the best from it.To maximise driver input there’s a dash-mounted turbo boost gauge when the Sport button is pressed. We loved to buzz the little engine to its redline and listen to the purposeful sound it produced when it was working to the max. Abarth has also included a Normal mode for those who feel that way inclined - I can’t say we tried it for long.We loved the way the Abarth’s cheeky personality showed up in torque steer tugging at the steering wheel when the throttle pedal was floored at low speeds. Abarth’s engineers have installed a system called Torque Transfer Control (TTC) that acts like a kind of limited slip differential to limit understeer and counteract the hassles when driving hard on rough roads.Feedback through the steering wheel is excellent, as is the way the hot little Italian can be steering on the throttle. This makes for lots of driving pleasure and everyone who drove the Abarth came back with smiles on their faces.Unless they had been driving on rough and ready Aussie back roads that is, where the smile on the face may have been turned into a grimace produced by the firm suspension. This is exacerbated by the short wheelbase of the baby car.VERDICTLike to own a Ferrari or Maserati but are about half a million short of the asking price? Then why not take your own test drive in a far more affordable machine from the same Italian sporting stable? Or perhaps you already have a Ferrari or two in the garage and now want to buy a toy or two to spoil your kids?Fiat Abarth 500 EsseessePrice: from $34,990 (manual), 500C from $38,990 (auto)Engine: 1.4 litre turbo 118 kW/230 NmTransmission: five-speed manual or five-speed automaticAcceleration: 7.4 secondsThirst: 6.5 L/100km

We've been dying to have crack at this car since its launch last year.But the previous distributors of Fiat and Alfa Romeo in this country always laughed off our request. Not so Chrysler which recently resumed responsibility for distribution of the cars here.Chrysler by way of explanation is 60 per cent owned by Fiat which has gradually lifted its stake in the American company since rescuing it from bankruptcy three years ago. Chrysler bless them managed to scrounge two of the Ferrari tribute cars for a recent drive day in Albury. And what a car!VALUEBased on the Abarth version of the reborn Fiat 500, the 695 Tributo Ferrari is a sensational bit of kit. But, at close to $70,000, it's not likely to find many takers not unless they've already got a Ferrari in the garage.Abarth, is the performance arm of the company, a bit like HSV is to Holden, with historical links to Ferrari. And they share the same passion for performance, Italian style and attention to detail.In 1953, their association spawned a unique Ferrari-Abarth, the Ferrari 166/250 MM Abarth. The car raced in various international events including the legendary Mille Miglia. More recently the ties have been strengthened, with Abarth supplying the exhaust systems for Ferraris.Then there's the Tributo. Only 120 of the cars have been imported to Australia and only 20 of them remain, with a list price of $69,000 pipped only by the Mini Goodwood at $74,500.TECHNOLOGYPowered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre four cylinder engine, the Tributo can reach a speed of 225km/h and sprints from 0-100km/h in less than 7 seconds. The engine is a 1.4-litre Turbo T-Jet 16v, tuned to develop more than 132kW of power.In comparison the donor Abarth 500 Esseesse produces 118kW. The turbocharged four is combined with a 5-speed MTA robotised manual gearbox, with change paddles that reduce shift times. And, get this, they found room under the back for four tailpipes - count them.DESIGNThe Ferrari Tributo is an impressive package, with plenty of carbon fibre garnishes, combination cloth and suede leather trim, contrast stitching, high-sided Sabelt race seats and an instrument panel specially made by Jaeger that is inspired by typical Ferrari instrumentation. At the same time there's plenty of cheap, nasty black plastic in evidence too.DRIVINGWhat's it go like? It's a tight fit but not as bad as anticipated, nor is the ride as harsh as we were led to expect. As the engine climbs above 3000 revs the bi-modal Monza exhaust develops a much throatier, more satisfying sound with the occasional crackle just like a real Ferrari.The robotised, single-clutch manual is a pain the butt, especially in traffic but delivers rapid changes in a straight line, with a surprising amount of mid-range grunt. Changing to manual mode and lifting off the throttle helps to smooth things out.Following a regular Abarth Essesse up a winding hill, we were surprised how easily the Tributo kept pace. It's got plenty of grip in corners with a surprising amount of punch out of corners, and four-pot Brembos that wipe off speed quickly.VERDICTYes siree. It was worth the wait. The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is a genuine pocket rocket, if an expensive one. It's so small, maybe they won't miss one?Abarth 695 Tributo FerrariPrice: $69,990Warranty: 3 years roadside assistWeight: 1077kgEngine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, 132kW/230NmTransmission: 5-speed seq manual auto-single clutch, front wheel driveThirst: 6.5L/100Km, 151g/km C02