You must agree the Fiat 500 is a very cute little car, but, over the last few years it has adopted a stigma known as the DLGC (daddies little girls’ car). The 595 however, is a bit more of an MLBC (Mummies little boys’ car) as its nothing like its girlie sibling whatsoever. Its fast, its lairy and its downright mad on the road, it even has an ASBO button! The exhaust makes a noise like an angry rottweiler and the suspension is so hard it will slip a disc in your back and knock your teeth out, but, OMFG what a fun car to drive.
The 595 Esseesse, pronounced Essay Essay, is one of the most fun and exciting cars on the road as well as a top-notch runabout, being small enough to tuck into the only tiny space left in the multi storey.
The Abarth brand is now over 70 years old and the 595 has been available for more than 10% of this time. Introduced in 2008 as the Abarth 500, this fruity version of the Fiat 500 has had quite a few nips and a tucks over the years, but it’s still technically the same car underneath.
To celebrate the brand's 70th anniversary, the 595 has been tweaked yet again, resurrecting the ‘Esseesse’ name, originally sold as a tuning kit for a fiat Grande Punto would you believe, and making this little monster top of the Abarth line-up.
The 595 has always sounded good, but this Esseesse does even more so because it is fitted with an Akrapovič exhaust as standard. Akrapovič exhaust systems were originally built for racing motorcycles but were soon adapted for cars when owner Igor realised there was a gap in the market. The 595 already had an exciting engine sound anyway, but it now sounds even better with the help of Akrapovič. The Esseesse gets a limited-slip differential which helps it put the power down out of corners, although the difference compared to other Abarths isn’t hugely noticeable. Theres also a different suspension setup to the rest of the 595 range, made by Koni Sport,the ride is still very typical of what the others offer. Great on track, however on the main road you’ll thump and bump over every road imperfection.
Engine power comes from a 180bhp Garret turbocharged 1.4-litre engine that has been in the 595 lineup for a while now. Its proper lairy to drive but you have to keep it spinning at high revs to get the best out of it. The car gets a five-speed manual gearbox but you will probably only ever use three of those!
Finally, but by no means last, the Esseesse gets upgraded Brembo brakes and some sexy white 17in alloy wheels.
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