Fiat's wildest 500 lands at $65K

Fiat Chrysler Australia has announced a $65,000 pricetag for its hottest 500-based model ever, the limited-edition Abarth 695 Biposto, which is now available from Fiat dealers by special order only.

As we reported when it was revealed at the Geneva motor show in March just 10 examples of the "world's smallest supercar" have been earmarked for Australia.

The 695 is an expensive micro-car at almost twice the ($33,500) starting price of the relaunched Abarth 595 line-up released in August.

But considering its exclusivity and giant-killing performance, it's a snip compared to the most expensive road-going 500 ever sold Down Under – the 2012 695 Tributo Ferrari, which proved so popular the previous distributor ordered a second batch.

The newest 500 from Fiat's go-fast Abarth brand is as close as it gets to the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse race car with which motoring.com.au won its class at this year's Bathurst 12 Hour production race.

The two-seat Biposto is not only the fastest street-legal Abarth ever produced, but the first road-going production car fitted with a race-style H-pattern five-speed rally-style non-synchro dog-box offering rapid-fire clutch-free gear changes.

With a puny 997kg kerb weight and a 1.4-litre T-JET turbocharged petrol four delivering 140kW at 5500rpm and 250Nm of torque from 3000rpm, the 695 Biposto has a weight-to-power ratio of just 5.2kg/hp – enough to sprint to 100km/h in just 5.9 seconds on its way to a 230km/h top speed.

Despite its undeniable pace, fuel consumption is just 6.5L/100km and CO2 emissions only 155g/km.

The 695's race-ready equipment list includes a front intercooler, Akrapovic exhaust system, adjustable Extreme Shox dampers, Abarth Corsa by Sabelt carbon-shell seats with four-point seatbelts, Brembo brakes (with floating, ventilated and perforated 305mm discs and four-piston callipers), 18-inch OZ wheels with 215/35 R18 tyres and a titanium rear rollbar by Poggipolini.

If that's not enough, the front-side windows feature polycarbonate sliding panels, an MLX data logger, self-locking clutch-plate differential and bespoke Abarth Style Centre body kit comprising aggressive bumpers, side skirts, wheel-arches and spoilers with carbon inserts.

The wing mirrors are wrapped in carbon-fibre, as are the dashboard fascia highlights, front and rear panels, central tunnel cover and handbrake, while both seats are upholstered in electro-welded Alcantara and titanium-coloured leather.

Three further customisation packs are available to 695 Biposto buyers.

The 'Exterior Kit' includes a specific design for the double-hump aluminium bonnet inspired by the classic 124 Abarth, plus titanium hub caps, wheel nuts and water, oil and fuel caps.

The 'Carbon Kit' adds a carbon dashboard fascia, front door panel and rear-view mirror, while the 'Racing Kit' offers indulgences including a race suit, shoes, gloves and helmet "of a real Abarth driver, and the opportunity to personalise them with your initials".

Electronic stability control, anti-skid brakes and Torque Transfer Control are part of the package, but there is no rear seat, and no xenon headlights, fog lights, Bluetooth, power windows or even air-conditioning, which you might want to consider given the fixed side windows.