Abarth 595/695 Takes Home Best Cars “Mini Cars/Import” For Sixth Time:

Germans Love The Mini Performance Car...

Jared Balfour February 17, 2021

For the sixth consecutive time, the Abarth 595/695 performance models have been named “Best Car” in the Mini Cars/Import category by the German automotive magazine, Auto Motor und Sport. The “Best Car” award winners are chosen by readers of the magazine to indicate their favorite cars on the German market. More than 101,000 readers cast their votes, choosing from 387 different models on sale in Germany, divided into 11 different categories, each with a special classification for imported vehicles.

The performance-bred Abarth 595/695 models took home the title in the Mini Cars/Import category with 25.6% of the vote against 12 competitors. When placed against the German brands and the import competition, it scored second place overall for the Mini Cars category.

Since 1949, the Abarth brand has been synonymous with high-performance vehicles that offer driving pleasure to a wide range of customers. The spirit of the Abarth 595 and Abarth 695 has won the hearts of thousands of car enthusiasts around the world. The victory in the 2021 “Best Cars” competition serves as further confirmation of the international success of these small sports cars, and of the passion for the Scorpion brand in the German market.

Currently, the Abarth 595 lineup consists of the standard 595 which features a turbocharged 1.4-liter T-Jet four-cylinder engine producing 145 horsepower and 152 ft.-lb. of torque. The standard 595 is capable of a 0 to 62 mph run in 7.8 seconds and has a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h). The 595 also benefits from an aggressive updated body over the standard Fiat 500 on which it is based. The front and rear bumpers, side skirts, spoiler, and rear extractor are all designed to improve performance.

From there, you can step up to the 595 Turismo. The Turismo adds an additional 20 horsepower to the 595 and improves its 0 to 62 mph time to 7.2 seconds. Top speed is also improved to 135 mph (218 km/h). The Turismo also adds exclusive leather seating in a handsome Helmet Brown color.

The next model in the lineup is the Abarth 595 Competizione. Producing 180 horsepower and 184 ft.-lb. of torque for its turbocharged 1.4-liter engine. With a 0 to 62 mph time of just 6.7 seconds, the 595 Competizione is one fast mini car. The 595 Competizione also adds things like a set of 17-inch aluminum wheels, a new Rally Blue matte-finish exterior color which pays homage to the 1970s Fiat 131 Abarth Rally car, and a quad-exiting Monza exhaust. Exclusive to the 595 Competizione, the Performance Pack contains; Abarth D.A.M. (Mechanical Limited Slip Differential), Sabelt GT cloth seats as standard equipment, new Montecarlo alloy wheels, a hidden antenna with aluminum 595 roof cap, and an aesthetic customization kit.

The last model in the core 595 lineup is the Abarth 595 Essesse. Separating itself from the 595 Competizione, the Essesse comes standard with a set of Sabelt Racing Carbon seats. A carbon gear shifter knob and two instrument panel designs in either Matte Black or Alcantara give the Essesse a more race-ready feel.

All variants of the 595 are available in either hatchback or convertible configurations.

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bill burke Feb 17, 2021 #1

Do I dare? Should I? What the heck! I believe Fiat really screwed up it’s return to the US market and launching with just the 500 was a mistake. But, big but, now I believe this new 500 needs to be returned to our market, it’s too good not to be given a shot. In addition, more Fiat models must be offered just to get a broader range of people in the showroom. Alfa Romeo must go to Maserati dealerships so that Fiat can focus solely on Fiat. This 500 is really special and I think enough Americans can be drawn to it, not by the charming, witty marketing of the past, but by concentrating this launch on the technology, outstanding ergonomics, value and common sense attributes, basic stuff. Only one way to overcome the embarrasment, the mistakes, relaunch and do it right this time. My gut says this 500 is too good not to try again. Play it again Sam.

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TripleT Feb 17, 2021 #2

Yeap sell it at every CDJR in good standing and it outsell the 300, there are enough college age females and city center people that would still love the car. The 50E for sure for return.

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patfromigh Feb 17, 2021 #3

Someone should point out this Youtube channel to the executives at Stellantis. The California compliance 500e is a car that FCA was forced to build and sell. The car had give away lease deals at times and only enough cars were placed into the public's hands to satisfy regulators. Somehow this Fiat is achieving cult status. The attractive prices of the off-lease cars has drawn tech-heads eager to get their hands dirty. Young people watch these videos and get inspired. Young people are the future, not old guys like me who live in a senior complex where the grim reaper has a reserved parking spot.

OK, this video and channel might not be your cup of tea, but it uncovers a world beyond Auburn Hills.

N Neuronurse71 Jun 22, 2021 #4

Anyone who has owned an Abarth, knows what a mistake it was to remove them from the United States. It’s the most fun you can have driving!
I was forced to trade mine when we inherited a newborn and my Abarth wouldn’t fit his car seat, I got a VW Tiguan. Which I hated from day one. I couldn’t wait to get back into another abarth. A year ago I went to get one and was told they no longer sell them here.
Having driven one of the new 595 Competizione and the 695 anniversario in Italy, Just makes me more sure that they should bring the Abarth back to the US… people have no idea what they are missing, it was by far the most fun to drive.
I liked the 695 Anniversario slightly better because of the movable spoiler, which when in the up position makes the car squat when going fast, which makes it feel amazing when going around corners. It’s time to bring them back and focus on their strengths and not quirks. They are cute, but they are also some of the most fun you will ever have driving, they get amazing gas mileage and they go great in the snow!