Abarth shakes up 595 range

FIAT Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Australia has slashed $8000 from the list price of its Fiat 500-based Abarth 595 Competizione pocket-rocket as part of an Abarth 595 range makeover to be introduced this month.

However, some of the previous goodies such as race-style seats have been stripped out to help reduce the price of the range-topping Competizione from $39,990 plus on-road costs, to $31,990. Instead, these items now join the options list for buyers who are happy to pay for them.

The price of the entry level 1.4-litre Abarth 595 also has been cut, by $500 to $26,990 plus on-road costs, while a couple of variants such as the mid-range Turismo have been deleted to streamline the range from 12 variants to eight.

Items previously offered on Turismo also have been added to the options list.

The Abarth range was revamped only about 18 months ago when the 595 was introduced. So far this year, Fiat 500 sales – including the hot Abarth range – have declined 35.9 per cent, from 792 units to 508 in the year to the end of August.

Until now, the 595 Competizione was available in two engine tunes – 118kW and 132kW.

The lower power version has now been dropped, with FCA telling GoAuto: “The reason for this is we listened to our customers, who are fans of performance and sport and offered them just that.”

The 595 and 595 Competizione still come in both hatch and cabriolet bodystyles, with the open-top version costing $3000 extra on the 595 and $4000 on the 595 Competitizione.

A five speed manual transmission is standard, with an automated gearbox available for $2000.

Improvements on the 595 range include improved aerodynamics for an 18 per cent improvement in cooling efficiency, a more ergonomic steering wheel position and new polyelliptical headlights.

Standard equipment includes the new 5.0-inch colour touchscreen AM/FM/DAB radio, Bluetooth navigation and audio streaming, integrated voice control and UConnect Live services.

The 595 gets 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured electric mirrors, LED daytime running lights and dual chrome-tip exhaust pipes.

Apart from the more powerful engine, the Competizione gets 17-inch alloys, four-piston Brembo front brakes with red-painted callipers, Koni shocks, carbon-fibre steering wheel with Alcantara grip, BMC Panel air filter and dual-mode Monza exhaust.

The Competizione darts from zero to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds.

Five two-tone colour schemes are available on the top variant, while the 595 has a choice of five solid colours and a range of optional metallic finishes.

The limited-edition 595 Biposto currently is in hiatus, but as always with Abarth, another special will be along eventually.

FCA’s Abarth brand head Fulvio Antonelli said the new line-up helped customers to make their individual expression.

“With new custom appearance packages, a full menu of options and at a price that’s more affordable than ever, customers can get exactly what they want while creating their own fun-to-drive personal statement,” he said.

2017 Abarth 595 pricing*

Hatch
595	$26,990
595 (a)	$28,990
595 Competizione	$31,990
595 Competizione (a)	$33,990
Cabriolet
595	$29,990
595 (a)	$31,990
595 Competizione	$35,990
595 Competizione (a)	$37,990

*Excludes on-road costs