We are driving, reving and testing the Abarth 595 C Competizione (2021). With 180 hp under its short nose, the Garrett turbo pushes it from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. The 1.4 litre engine develops 250 nm of torque. The suspension keeps the Abarth stable and easy - even at 225 km/h. It feels quite comfy as well and makes the 595 C Competizione a solid car.
There are not many places in the world where people think with their hearts. Maybe Italia is one of these rare places. At least the people behind the swiss alps make car enthusiasts get mad at new creations. Pasta, fashion weeks, legendary artists and a strong racing history made Italia some kind of a trendsetter in the market of emotions.
But how does all this come together in a cheap car? To brighten up everyday lives of hard working people, the italians invented something, they call the 500. Once upon a time launched in the 60s, it then became more popular than pizza or Pavarotti - and in 2007 it came back. Fiats house tuner, Abarth, still does its best to make a lovely designed little car feel like Machiavelli was shouting through the pipes.
Because 180 Horses wouldn't fit into a small car, Abarth put a Garret turbocharger onto an engine with only 85 cui. Four cylinders are playing skip rope with the crankshaft when on full boost at 3000 RPM. With a curb weight of only 1130 kg, the 595 C Competizione is a light weight compared to other convertibles. The red sardine can goes from 0 to 100 km/h in about 6.7 Seconds. The turbocharger whips the Abarth to a top speed of 140 mph - and it feels like so much more.
With a wheel base of 2.3 metres, the 595 C Competizione is lifely when you drive it through the corners. A limited front differential shows 250 newtonmetres of torque the right way out. But Abarth didn't use the best factory tyres for this kind of machine. The ESC (always on) sometimes stops you from driving a corner that felt perfect. The suspension is working as a harmonizer for the 595 C Competizione's small wheel base and limits roll inclination at the same time. This makes the Abarth a forgiving car with a bit too much safety on board.
Its fortunes are the pure romantic of the concept, the sound and the way it feels to drive a wheelbase of 2.30 metres with a traditional four cylinder turbo engine. The italians are real enthusiasts when it comes to creating emotions. The Competizione is a rather special way to drive a 500 Abarth, because it looks and behaves like a Ferrari in a bubble.
As you can imagine, the Abarth is a lot of fun for everyone in it - even on the passenger seat or in the second row (max 1.80 m). The roof opens very fast and in two steps. If you choose the second one and press the scorpion-button on the dashboard, you will feel like sitting in a biplane.
Nevertheless it's got its problems: The interior looks cheap and expensive at the same time, the seating position is too high and you will hate to u-turn this little thing, because it needs more space than a van. And although it is great fun to drive, the Abarth is not really fast or made for track use.
Overall, the 595 C Competizione is an authentic italian machine with a lot of emotions packed into its small chassis.
Rated 8/10
Abarth 595 C Competizione
L x W x H (m): 3.66 x 1.63 x 1.49
Wheelbase (m): 2.30
Engine: R4-petrol, 1368 ccm, turbo
Power: 132 kW / 180 hp
Max. torque: 250 Nm at 3000 RPM
VMax: 225 km/h (claimed)
Acceleration 0-100: 6.7 sec. (claimed)
Fuel consumption: 8.2 litres
Weight: 1130 kg
Price (DE): from 26.990 EUR
Test car: 31.500 EUR
CARbit.tv
Passionate automotive journalists and professional test drivers give you the purest audiovisual impression of new and special cars along with a review and a rating. If you want to get to the middle of the action, use headphones and let the cars speak.
If you like us, stay tuned and subscribe.
Copyright CARbit.tv 2022
Title Music (Majesty Mad):
open.spotify.com/artist/2ssg9...