Next Generation Scorpion arrives – Abarth 595 for 2017
Midrand – Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s Abarth range has been bolstered locally with the arrival of the all new Abarth 595 range. The 595 joins the recently launched Abarth 124 Spider to offer discerning buyers of the Scorpion brand a larger range of variants.
Recently nominated as the “Best Car 2017” by readers of the renowned specialist magazine “Auto Motor und Sport” (AMS), the Abarth 595 will be available immediately in three derivatives; 595, 595 Turismo and 595 Competizione, as well as two body styles; “Tin Top” or Cabriolet.
Powertrains
All Abarth 595 derivatives are powered by Fiat’s award-winning 1.4l T-Jet engine, each with their own specific outputs and driving through either manual transmissions or sequential robotised automatic transmissions. 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.
A derivative of the Abarth T-Jet engine also powers single seater racing cars in the ADAC Formula-4 Powered by Abarth Championship organised by the FIA to offer young drivers the chance to debut at the wheel of a real single-seater racing car. The formula features no fewer than 18 teams and 42 young drivers, one of which was Mick Schumacher, son of the Ferrari world champion Michael.
Exterior Styling
To ensure the Abarth 595 is not only “Go, and no show” the stylists at Abarth’s Centro Stilo design centre have created 15 different exterior paint shades in solid, metallic and bi-colour schemes as well as colour-coded front and rear bumper inserts, mirror covers and decal sets in either white, black or red to further enhance the Abarth’s sporty styling (not available on Bi-colour).
The front and rear light clusters are also new, and are equipped as standard with poly elliptical headlights and LED daytime running lights on the entire range.
To further enhance the exterior of the Abarth 595, eleven wheel choices are available in 16” or 17” sizes. The standard 16” on the 595 can be substituted for any of the 17” versions whilst the Turismo and Competizione feature the 17” as standard.
Interior Styling
On the interior seven trim levels are available and feature fabric or leather, or leather / Alcantara combinations. Black fabric is standard on all models with leather optionally available in black, red or natural on the 595 and 595 Turismo versions and the black or natural leather / Alcantara is available exclusively on the 595 Competizione.
All models feature air-conditioning (climate control on the Turismo and Competizione), electric windows and central locking with remote function, 7″ TFT digital display with advanced sports mode and Uconnect 5” radio with hands-free Bluetooth integration and steering wheel controls.
Making an appearance for the first time in the Abarth 595 Turismo and Competizione is the powerful and sophisticated BeatsAudioTM system with seven speakers. This optionally available system has been developed in collaboration with Beats by Dr. Dre and boasts an impressive total output of 440 watts and features a digital eight-channel amplifier, two dome tweeters installed in the front pillars, two 165 mm mid woofers in the front doors, two 165 mm full-range speakers in the rear side panels and one 200 mm subwoofer in the middle of the boot in the spare wheel compartment.
Safety
Standard safety features on all Abarth 595 models are five airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC) and Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) with Hill Holder function and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
Driving
The New Abarth 595 is the only car in its segment with a mechanical limited-slip differential (called Abarth D.A.M.), an exclusive performance feature derived directly from the experience gained with the 695 Biposto.
The Abarth mechanical limited-slip differential exploits the full potential of the 595 Competizione and improves grip in extreme conditions. The mechanical limited-slip differential ensures adequate torque transfer between the front wheels when either has less grip (a typical example is a different speed coming out of curves taken with high lateral load). This ensures holding the line with even greater precision to the benefit of sporty driving efficiency.
The Abarth mechanical limited-slip differential is part of the new Performance Pack – available only on the New Abarth 595 Competizione with manual transmission – that includes 17″ Supersport wheels, Sabelt leather/Alcantara seats with carbon fibre shells, 595 carved aluminium badge on the roof
Pricing
The Abarth 595 pricing is as follows:
- 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*
*The Abarth 595 Competizione version has been imported in limited numbers with additional cars available on special order.
All models feature a 3 year / 100,000 km warranty and maintenance plan.
About Abarth
Abarth is a racing and road car maker founded by Italo-Austrian Carlo Abarth in 1949.
The performance brand of Fiat originally built exhaust systems for vehicles and the now-famous association with Fiat began in 1952 when the Abarth 1500 Biposto was built on Fiat mechanicals.
Abarth vehicles were renowned for their high-performance and power whilst being small and agile. Carlo Abarth’s performance modified cars achieved huge success in competitions and took many records in the process. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Abarth brand continuously made a name for itself in the public eye as the synonym for sport, tuning and performance, changing the sports car world.
Today the Abarth brand still maintains its unique DNA and represents performance, great driving pleasure and sporty appeal. By and large Abarth vehicles are still hand built in Italy.
