Fiat facelifts Abarth 595, gives it more power

Abarth has announced a 2016 upgrade for its 595 range, including more power for some models, just days after the model's relaunch in Australia.

The biggest news is that, along with a mild nip and tuck, the Abarth’s 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine now produces 108kW in the standard 595 and 123kW in the 595 Turismo -- 5kW more over the current cars, although peak torque remains unchanged at a respective 206 and 230Nm. The 595 Competizione carries over its 132kW/250Nm engine.

Abarth has not made any claims for improved performance, but the faster Competizione does get the option of a new mechanical limited-slip differential.

From then on most of the changes are cosmetic.

Externally, that means there’s a redesigned nose that now features a larger lower air-intake that’s said to improve engine cooling by as much as 18 per cent. The front-end also gains new headlights that, with the new optional xenon headlights, are claimed to be nearly three times brighter than the normal halogen lamps.

All 595s now also come with LED daytime running lamps.

At the rear of the car there’s also a new bumper that’s said to feature a more pronounced diffuser while new bumper inserts can now identify which 595 you’ve bought: matte-black signals the humble 595, matching body colour the 595 Turismo and what Abarth calls a ‘tar cold grey’ finish for the fastest 595 Competizione.

New 17-inch Granturismo alloy wheels also become an option on the 595 (they’re standard on 595 Turismo) and are said to be seven per cent lighter while offering 50 per cent better venting for hot brakes.

Other exterior highlights include satin chrome trim highlights and mirror caps for the 595 and 595 Turismo (the Competizione gets grey caps) and many new ways to personalise your car with stickers and new bumper inserts.

Inside, there are new trims including Alcantara and new options that include the ability to order the full carbon-fibre dashboard from the 695 Biposto. Other upgrades include Sabelt sports seats for the Competizione.

All models now come with Fiat’s UConnect touch-screen infotainment system with the option of sat-nav. A larger 7.0-inch HD version of the same system is also available as an option, which can monitor your driving and even provide on-board tuition on track days if you’re driving on one of the pre-loaded circuits.

Finally, the little Abarth will soon also be offered with a new powerful 480-Watt seven-speaker sound system.

In Europe the facelifted range will be available from this June. It’s not known when we’ll get our cars, nor how much of a premium Fiat will charge for them.