

The UK-only Fiat Abarth 595 Turismo may be the most stunning Fiat 500 variant yet. Sporting two-tone livery of metallic Rosso Officina topped by Grigio Pista, Fiat's pocket rocket has never looked so good.



Fiat products tend to polarize car enthusiasts and casual drivers alike. The company has made great strides from the “Fix It Again Tony” era but old and bitter impressions can be hard to change. The Abarth 595 Turismo's build quality is certain to change more than a few minds while its bold styling, detailing and décor are aimed squarely at prospective car-buyers' hearts.









The latter begins with a visual first impression... where have we seen the linear two-tone look before? Examples abound from the Fabulous Fifties through the Unexciting Eighties (“you got it, Pontiac!”) but the diminutive 595 wears its metallic Rosso Officina and Grigio Pista paint job well, at least as long as its kept cleaned and polished.



What separates the 595 Turismo from its 500-series brethren? Let's start under the hood where a 160 HP, 1.4 litre, turbo T-Jet engine almost completely fills its assigned space. The tweaked powerplant boosts the 595 Turismo from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; keep your foot on the pedal and eventually you'll top out at 210 km/h. The base Fiat 500's engine is rated at only 101 HP while the turbocharged version puts out 135 HP (140 HP with automatic transmission equipped models).









Other features of the 595 Turismo include Abarth Koni suspension hardware, 17" alloy rims available in a choice of 4 different designs, Alutex details on the kick plate and pedal unit, leather upholstery, Xenon headlights, red brake calipers, and an updated aluminium (as the Brits say) version of the historic 595 logo on the side panel and tailgate.



Customers can further personalize their 595 Turismo with an Abarth Record Monza exhaust system, Special Pack Competizione pedals, sill plates and shift knob, and a cool Abarth Scorpion pin – all at extra cost, mind you. Speaking of which, sticker prices begin at £17,905 for the Abarth 595 Turismo 160Bhp Manual Hatchback, rising to £19,205 for the Abarth 595 Turismo 160Bhp MTA Hatchback, then to £19,705 for the Abarth 595C Turismo 160Bhp Manual Convertible, and topping out at £21,0005 for the Abarth 595C Turismo 160Bhp MTA Convertible. (via Autoblog, SKAI, and ViaMichelin)