Cheapest Abarth ever lands in Oz

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia will this month introduce a 104kW version of the Fiat 500 dubbed the Abarth 595 and priced at $27,500 plus on-road costs.

Available as a hatch or convertible, the new micro sports car will effectively bridge the gap between the range-topping Fiat 500 Lounge (from $21,000) and Abarth 595 Turismo (from $34,000) both in terms of performance and price.

Available with a choice of five-speed manual or single-clutch automatic transmission, the Abarth 595 is priced comparably to the base-grade Fiat 500 of just five years ago.

Then imported by Sydney-based Ateco Automotive, the entry-level '500 Sport' retailed from $24,990 for the five-speed manual model and from $26,990 when optioned with a single-clutch transmission.

The newly launched Abarth 595 – which develops 104kW/206Nm from its 1.4-litre T-Jet turbo-petrol engine – strikes a comfortable mid-point on the spec sheet, too, as FCA Australia's senior manager of product strategy, Alan Swanson, explains.

"We felt attainability [of the Abarth range] was a step too far for most 500 buyers," said Swanson. "The Abarth 595 will bridge the gap, offering a sporty option for a price we think is very attractive.

"Compared to the Lounge, which makes around 105hp, the 140hp Abarth is a fair step-up in terms of performance; it will sit comfortably between Lounge and the 160hp Abarth already on offer."

The Abarth 595 will arrive as standard with a five-speed manual transmission, 16-inch alloy wheels and ventilated front discs with red-painted callipers. Air-conditioning, a 7.0-inch TFT touch-screen infotainment system, foglights and reversing sensors are also included.

Outlining the future direction of the Fiat brand locally, Swanson and Fiat Australia director of communications Lucy McLellan said the importer plans to rationalise the range with attractively priced and well specified vehicles in Australia, where budget-priced European-focussed models like the Panda and Punto are no longer sold.

"We're not selling Punto or Panda here anymore," McLellan explained. "The Fiat brand is different in different markets – there's a rational side of it and an emotional side.

"Rational models include the Panda, Punto and 500L, but Australia takes a different position – we're certainly more focussed on the 500 and 500X, as well as developing and broadening the Abarth range."

"The introduction [of the Abarth 595] obviously closes the gap between the 500 and the Abarth ranges, and is the cheapest Abarth ever available in Australia. We will also have an 180hp version coming later," hinted McLellan.

Currently, Fiat offers only the 500 and 500C (convertible), the 500X light SUV and Dodge-sourced Freemont seven-seater in its three-strong passenger portfolio.

The Fiat Professional (commercial vehicle) range comprises two models, the Caddy-sized Doblo and VW Transporter-sized Ducato.

The current Fiat 500 hatch range begins with the 51kW/102Nm 1.2-litre petrol-powered 'Pop'. It is claimed to consume 4.9L/100km on the ADR Combined cycle while emitting 115g/km of CO2.

The 500 range is topped by the 500 Lounge, which utilises a naturally-aspirated 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol that develops 74kW/131Nm. The 500 Lounge consumes 6.1L/100km and emits 140g/km of CO2.

Comparably specified convertible models are also available (see pricing table below).

These are topped by the new Abarth 595, which itself is bettered by the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol Abarth 595 Turismo and 595 Competitzione. Each produces 118kW/230Nm, sips 6.5L/100km and emits 155g/km of CO2. Abarth quotes a 0-100km/h time for the pair of 7.4 seconds (manual transmission).

The flagship of the current Abarth range, the bonkers 695 Biposto, uses the same engine tuned to develop 140kW/250Nm. It offers the same consumption and emissions figures as the 595 variants, but hits 100km/h in an impressive 5.9 sec.

Visit motoring.com.au again soon for our review of the Abarth 595.

2016 Fiat 500 and Abarth range pricing (plus ORCs):
500 Pop -- $18,000 (man) / $19,500 (SCT)
500 Lounge -- $21,000 (man) / $22,500 (SCT)
500 C Pop -- $22,000 (man) / $23,500 (SCT)
500 C Lounge -- $25,000 (man) / $26,500 (SCT)
Abarth 595 -- $27,500 (man) / $29,500 (SCT)
Abarth 595 Convertible -- $31,500 (man) / $33,500 (SCT)
Abarth 595 Turismo -- $34,000 (man) / $36,000 (SCT)
Abarth 595 Competitzione -- $37,000 (man) / $39,000 (SCT)
Abrath 595 Competitzione Convertible -- $39,500 (man) / $41,500 (SCT)
Abarth 695 Biposto -- $65,000 (man) / $80,000 (SCT)