City cars may be tricky, but finding a quick one is quite a bit complex than you think. While most manufacturers have shied away from high-performance shopping trollies, the Abarth 595 has provided pint-sized thrills for more than a decade and basic ingredients have barely changed, so the recipe must be rather flawless.
While undoubtedly the 595 maybe old these days, there’s still much to like about the tiny, retro-styled hot hatches. Quick, noisy and bouncy, they’re a window into how cars like this used to be before 300-horsepower outputs, adaptive dampers and any sense of sophistication were commonplace.
The recipe for turning a regular Fiat 500 into an Abarth 595 is a simple one. Up front is a throaty 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, the suspension is lower and stiffer, the standard 595 comes with a beautifully designed 16-inch alloy wheels, there’s a tough-looking bodykit and race sports seats inside. This cute little brute with it’s short-geared and sweet-shifting five-speed manual, and just enough practicality to get past as an everyday small car.
For zipping through traffic and enjoying yourself when there is an opportunity to stretch the legs, the Abarth 595 feels pretty bang-on. But while the 595 initially had the market largely to itself, there are now plenty of rivals, such as the lovely Mini Cooper S 3-Door and the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Even so, the 595 outshines all of them. But are brute horsepower and cutesy looks enough?
Unfortunately, although it might have the competition licked in a drag race, it can’t quite match them for practicality. Sure, the Abarth’s cabin comes with an assorted array of sporty touches – from the race car inspired rev counter to the supportive sports seats and optional carbon fibre trims, but head and leg room in the back are limited at best and the cramped footwells mean it isn’t particularly comfortable to drive for long periods. The 595 is a small, three-door hatchback, so inevitably practicality isn’t its strong suit.
Getting in the back isn’t a hugely comfortable experience and there’s only room for two people once there – although rear-seat passengers do have a relatively decent amount of legroom, even with tall people sitting in the front. Things don’t improve when you take a look at the 595’s equipment list. You get a 5.0-inch "Uconnect" infotainment screen with live services as standard, but smartphone mirroring, sat nav and an upgraded stereo are all rather expensive options. Thankfully, the 595’s drivability helps you to see through the bits that it is missing.
However, if you’re more interested in what the Abarth’s like to drive than how good the stereo sounds, you’re in luck. All versions come with a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, but even the entry-level 145hp model accelerates faster than it’s rivals. On tight, twisty roads, the Abarth 595 is still seriously good fun! Driving this car leaves me with a huge and weirdly satisfying grin on my face. The raspy, throaty gurgle from its exhaust makes it feel like you’re traveling much faster than the speedo suggests. The LSD contributes to keeping the 595 traveling in a straight line but torque steer is still noticeable under heavy acceleration.
Overall, the 595 is lots of fun to drive and that’ll be the number-one priority for most people who are considering buying one. Starting off at Php 2,690,000. It isn’t a very affordable car to be honest but it really isn’t that bad either, especially when you think about how the car makes you feel, plus it’s heritage. It feels nimble and sharp in corners, the engine sounds great and the gearbox is a pleasure to use. In a sea of homogenized passenger cars, the Abarth 595 still retains all of its stand out character but it simply hasn’t kept up with pack in terms of key features. Its lack of driver assistance technology sees it lose some appeal for daily commuting and as such, it isn’t convincing as an everyday car.
Despite its shortcomings, the Abarth 595 still makes a compelling case as a driver’s car as it delivers on the all-important ‘feel behind the wheel’ factor. While some hot hatchbacks are better all-rounders than the Abarth 595 in the practical side, few have as much character and soul. You’re buying a piece of motoring heritage, and this is exclusivity at it’s finest.
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Abarth And Alfa Romeo Showroom is located at:
​Petromax Enterprise Unit 102, Bonaventure Plaza, Ortigas Ave, San Juan, 1500 Metro Manila
​Tel. 02 2439769