It has been 70 years since Carlo Abarth first began the company which bears his name, and now parent group Fiat wants to celebrate that fact with a special version of its mental 695 hot hatch. This is the Abarth 695 70th Anniversario special edition.
Adjustable downforce
Following on from a power hike for the related 595 Pista, which recently went up to 165hp/230Nm, the 695 remains the top Abarth dog when it comes to outputs. Its 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine churns out 180hp, as well as 250Nm at 3,000rpm, allowing it to go from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 224km/h.
This last number depends on its rear spoiler being in the 'zero-degree position'. This is because the 70th Anniversario - of which just 1,949 will be made in total, with the car being revealed at the 2019 Abarth Day held in Milan - has a 'Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile' mounted on the top of its bootlid. This can be manually adjusted through 12 different positions and from zero to 60 degrees, allowing for an increase of the car's maximum aerodynamic load by up to 42kg at 200km/h (in the 60 degree setting). This is said to 'improve vehicle dynamics and stability at high speeds'... plus, it also looks cool and harks back to Abarth's long-held competition history.
Heritage green paintwork
Other than that, much of what the 70th Anniversario is about is styling. Its exterior is in Monza 1958 Green livery, a tribute to the colour of the first 500 Abarth which set six international records at the Italian track. The green is contrasted by Campovolo Grey details, including that spoiler, the lower body kit and the mirror caps. There are Scorpion decals on the bonnet and a chequered sticker on the roof in the same colours to complete the look.
Elsewhere, the 695 70th gains 17-inch SuperSport alloy wheels, four-piston Brembo brakes with red callipers and 305mm front/240mm rear discs, a Record Monza exhausts system, a limited-slip differential and Xenon headlights. If you don't fancy Monza 1958 Green, then Circuit Grey, Gara White, Scorpione Black and Podium Blue are alternative body colours, while the badging on the bodywork is all rendered with the vintage Scorpion emblem of Abarth.
Moving inside the 70th Anniversario, 'Sabelt Tricolore' seats, a seven-inch Uconnect infotainment system (which is both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible), climate control, specific floor mats and a numbered plaque for each of the 1,949 units can all be found. The Abarth will be available to order from the middle of October. Or, at least, it would be, if Fiat Ireland brought it here officially. Damn.