Fiat launches Abarth 595 as its cheapest performance model

Fiat has made its Abarth performance range more accessible than ever with the introduction of the new entry-level Fiat Abarth 595.

Priced from $27,500, the small performance hatch is the cheapest Abarth ever offered in Australia and bridges the gap between the regular Fiat 500 range and the existing, and more expensive, Abarth 500 models.

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The previous entry point to the Abarth range was the 595 Turismo which started at $34,000.

“We’re re-aligning the Abarth range,” said Alan Swanson, Fiat’s senior product planner. “In the past there’s been quite a large price gap between the regular 500 range and the Abarths. What we’ve done is cut that price gap in half.”

Just like its price, the Abarth 595’s performance and dynamic ability sits between the regular 500 and the more powerful 595 Turismo.

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Power is sent to the front wheels via a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces a healthy 103kW/206Nm. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard, but you can opt for a five-speed automatic gearbox for $2000 extra.

There’s also a firmer sports suspension set-up, bigger brakes and a sports exhaust.

Inside, the Abarth treatment adds sports seats, a flat-bottom leather steering wheel, a configurable 7.0-inch instrument cluster and dash-mounted turbo-boost gauge.

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Importantly, the Abarth 595 rolls on 16-inch wheels, not 17s like the ones found on other models in the Abarth range. This dramatically improves the way the car rides over bumps. As a result, the 595 is not only the cheapest Abarth on offer, but also the easiest and most comfortable to live with everyday.

Fiat’s repositioning of the Abarth range will continue later this year with the arrival of a new halo model, the Fiat Abarth 124 Spider in September.

Find out more about the Abarth 124 Spider here.