Abarth 695

Step inside the Abarth 695 and you’d get the vintage vibe of the dashboard with the right amount of modern equipment. There’s the 7-inch TFT instrument cluster which provides great resolution when reading gauges and pertinent car information. On the center of the dash is a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen display partnered to a 6 speaker audio system. Connectivity is handled by Uconnect, Bluetooth with audio streaming, and USB. What is more, it’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. The front seats are a pair of sports car bucket leather seats with Italian flag detail as an homage to its proud history and heritage. And to make the car extra special, there’s a numbered plaque which serves as a visual reminder that this car is no ordinary 695 but a limited release.

The 2019 Abarth 695 maintains its heritage and overall classic appeal. There’s the round compact bumper, muted grille which is marked by the brand’s insignia highlighted by a chrome strip. At the bottom rear are dual-mode Record Monza exhaust system with four tailpipes. It is also at the backend of the Abarth hatchback where you find the most eye-catching part of the design: the massive, adjustable, rear spoiler. Designed in the ‘60s by Carlo Abarth himself, it comes with bold Abarth insignia that covers most of the underside. The manually adjusted spoiler can be positioned from zero to 60 degrees depending on whether you want more grip or aerodynamic. But whichever position you choose, it is bound to improve the car’s performance as the massive spoiler was heavily tested inside a wind tunnel.

This Italian 3-door hatchback rides on a set of Corsa 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 205/40 rubber and comes in five color options: Green Monza 1958, Pista Grey, Gara White, Scorpion Black, and Podio Blu. All color options come with the same grey details and exclusive stickers— the checkered decal on the roof, Abarth's name on the sides, and a scorpion on the hood.

The Abarth 695 is a fun vehicle to drive. It has the familiar sportscar purr albeit with its own distinct tuning. This proud Italian car is highly responsive and the familiar set up of the dashboard with contemporary touches makes it identifiable yet modern at the same time. Unlike the usual hatchback we see on the streets like the Toyota Wigo, Mitsubishi Mirage, or Kia Picanto, riding this hatch is the ultimate comfort. From the plush seats, shock absorbers, and suspension, this hatchback is the ultimate when it comes to luxury. The suspension system that uses a combination of MacPherson suspension with anti-roll bar at the front and torsion beam with anti-roll bar at the rear coupled with KONI with FSD valve shock absorbers on both front and rear makes for a smooth, cushioned ride that limits body roll when navigating turns and sharp curves. The gearbox is highly responsive and does not stagger for a fluid transition while engine power ensures that this little hatch can easily traverse slopes and steep terrains despite its size.

The Abarth 695 is powered by a T-JET straight 4 cylinders, 16 valve engine that delivers 180 Hp of maximum output at 5,500 rpm, and peak torque of 250 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The Euro 6d-temp standard 1,368 cc engine with Garret GT 1446 turbocharger and Record Monza exhaust is mated to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or 5-speed robotized sequential transmission. This iconic scorpion car can register a maximum speed of 225 km/h and can go from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds for the manual tranny and 6.9 seconds for the robotized sequential gearbox. In terms of fuel efficiency, this Italian hatchback is highly efficient despite its powerful engine. The car uses 8.7 L for the manual and 8.2 L for the robotized sequential gearbox per 100 km in an urban setting. For highway consumption, it becomes even more efficient at 5.7 L and 5.8 L per 100 km for the manual and robotized sequential gearbox, respectively. A combination of city and highway driving will give a fuel consumption of 6.8 L for the manual tranny and 6.7 L for robotized sequential gearbox per 100 km of driving.

For stopping power, this Abarth hatch comes equipped with perforated and ventilated 305 x 28 mm front brake discs and 4-piston fixed front red-painted brake calipers in aluminum and for the rear, Brembo Perforated and ventilated 240 x 11 mm rear brake discs. Other safety features for the Abarth hatch include dual front airbags and front side curtain airbags, seatbelts, adjustable steering column, traction control, rear parking sensors, and electronic stability control.

Because the 2019 Abarth 695 70° Anniversario is a limited edition, expect it to be highly expensive and difficult to get a hold of. And with a retail price at an estimate of Php 1.77 million (£28,699), this hatchback is for real Abarthisti whose passion for the brand will definitely find owning this iconic vehicle a must. Its more than just buying a vehicle for the true car enthusiast, but rather, owning a piece of history. And with the production being limited to just 1,949, the Abarth 695 70° Anniversario is bound to be a classic.