Abarth 595 2016 overview

Fiat values ​​the tiny but punchy Abarth to win friends without breaking the bank.

Access to the cheeky Fiat just got easier and cheaper.

The new Abarth 595 isn't as exuberant as some of Fiat's top models, but it's more comfortable to use and likely to be more popular with buyers.

It's definitely calm, the ride is more docile, but the interior needs a lot of improvement. it also lacks the sporty exhaust of more hardcore models.

The Abarth 595 starts at $27,500 - an automatic transmission adds $2000, and another $3000 for a convertible with a roof - for a car that's still powered by a 1.4-litre turbo.

Priced at $6000 less than any previous Abarth, providing a better axle than base 500 models. It should be able to double sales from a modest 120 run of just 2015 cars, while also keeping potential owners away from competitors like Renault. Clio RS and Mini Cooper.

“We know there are people looking for something like this,” says Alan Swanson of Fiat Chrysler Australia.

“It's like Abarth, but not as extreme. Pushed to the limit, it can still have real performance."

There are some visual changes and dual exhaust pipes.

The 595 looks more like a detuned 695 Tributo than a tuned 500. The four-cylinder engine (103kW/206Nm) works with a five-speed manual or automatic transmission, and the sporty chassis includes Koni front dampers, ventilated disc brakes and 16- inch alloy wheels with 45-series tires.

In front of the driver is a seven-inch display, a turbo boost gauge on the dash and a torque shift selector for maximum traction.

There are some visual changes and dual exhaust pipes. There is still no reversing camera - one will appear in the next Fiat 500 - and the driving position is too high for a sports car.

On the way to

I feel cramped behind the wheel, but on the loop from Hobart to the Tasmanian countryside, I feel confident despite the wet and slippery roads.

I'm definitely happier in the 595 than I was in the high-performance 695 Tributo or Bitposto road racer I rode last year, thanks to the much more supple suspension and more responsive rubber.

There is no Tributo wildness at the top of its turbo head.

The highs are not so high and the lows are not so low. The trunk isn't big, a bit of tailpipe pop would be fun, but otherwise it's a comfortable package enough for enthusiasts.

“(Productivity) isn’t great, but the machine weighs (slightly over) 1000kg,” Swanson says.

On road

The Baskerville Raceway outside of Hobart is cold and wet when we arrive to stretch the 595. Traction is limited, corners are muddy and ESP steps in to protect me.

595 is better than I expected. The softer suspension keeps the wheels well planted, and there's no Tributo wildness at the top of its turbo head.

Even when the track dries out, there isn't much grip, but that's okay. The car is fast enough to have fun, but not fast enough to scare.

There is a solid push of torque and the car is approaching the redline at over 140 km/h in fourth gear, squeezing every kilowatt out of it. Gear shifting is good, the brakes pull the car up evenly, and the chassis is well balanced, especially considering that the short wheelbase can cause the rear end to shift sideways.

He's a bit special, and he's sure to win some friends among those interested in the 500 - who can now get something with an Abarth badge without running into serious debt.

What news

Price – The $27,500 base price is right on the money, which is more than $6000 cheaper than the previous price leader Abarth.

EQUIPMENT - There are no labels for air conditioning or multimedia, although the car loses to leather seats. And although it is hardly needed in a child's car, a rear-view camera would be handy.

Performance - Acceleration to 100 km / h in less than 8 seconds is normal, the torque is high, the five-speed manual transmission works well.

Driving “It's 15mm lower than the regular Fiat 500 and has 16-inch alloy wheels, but the suspension is well tuned to combine a smooth back-road ride with good cornering traction. It's not fast, but it's still fun.

Design “Only Abarth enthusiasts will opt for minor changes to the Tributo models, but they will still attract attention.

Will the high price of the 595 Fiesta ST, 208 GTI or Clio RS tempt you? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Click here for more pricing and specs for the 2016 Abarth 595.