Abarth 595 2014 Overview

We all remember the hyperactive kid at school who fidgeted and fidgeted and all that, almost bouncing off the walls at a time when the conditions did not suit him. On the playground it was not visible where they went, such were the reserves of energy.

Fiat built a four-wheeled version - ADHD is also spelled Abarth. This is a raucous, rebellious micro-hatch that is constantly trying to slip off the leash and unleash well-meaning chaos. However, you may not like it.

VALUE

There are now two flavors of the 595: a leather-trimmed Turismo on 10-spoke alloy wheels for $33,500 and a more contoured cloth-covered seat and five-spoke wheels at Competizione.

Seats and wheels are part of a $3000 option package that includes a "Record Monza" dual-mode exhaust that opens the exhaust valve above 4000 rpm and turns the growl into a wild tone, heralding the car's arrival long before it can. will see.

Go for ragtop and it's another $2500. Both models can be equipped with a manual transmission that lacks a clutch. It can be used as a direct auto or shift gears using the paddles on the steering wheel. Forget about it - it's like buying a purebred puppy with papers and spaying it.

Design

In various incarnations, this car has existed for 50 years as a sports version of the regular Fiat 500. It used to have a literal stinger in the tail in the form of a rear-mounted engine. 

Now it has been placed in front, leaving enough space in the trunk for a couple of overnight bags. Placing adults in the rear seats for long periods of time is almost a violation of human rights: Benches in the truest sense of the word are rare and are best folded down to expand cargo space.

DRIVING

The plastic is hard and pleasant to the touch, the seat is set too high, and the steering column is non-adjustable for reach, so finding a natural driving position is far from intuitive. An additional inconvenience is the seat back adjustment knob - it cannot be operated without opening the door. So get ready before you hit the road.

Pedal spacing in the foot area requires small and agile ballerina appendages to avoid accidentally hitting the wrong device, and hitting the brake pedal when you press the clutch doesn't look good.

It does get easier with time in the car, which is a huge relief as owners will have to change gears a lot to keep the 1.4-litre turbo engine running in the optimal 3000-5500rpm range. Choose the right gear from the five available and Fiat becomes a car vandal, shredding corners as fast as the outgoing government shreds files.

If the revs drop too low, especially uphill, the Abarth pouts for a moment, overcoming the lag and loss of momentum. The solution is just a few steps away, but requires owners to keep a close eye on the tachometer.

To get the most out of Fiat, you need to find the right path. The Koni shocks feature a high-tech secondary valve, and it's almost useless on the heavily rutted roads that make the Fiat much more than restless as the overly stiff suspension struggles to keep up with the corrugation waves.

Smooth down the bitumen, however, and you're in for some serious fun. Cornering grip is phenomenal, and if understeer does occur, just a little touch on the impressive brakes or a slight lift on the throttle is all it takes to make the tail wag and redirect the Abarth arc to something that won't blow you off the road.