FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Abarth 595 '50th'

Fiat’s go-faster division, Abarth, has revealed yet another limited-edition version of its Fiat 500-based 595, and this one looks like it’s coming to Australia too.

Just 299 examples of the Abarth 595 ‘50th Anniversary’ special will be available to order in Europe from September 15 – five days after its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show next week and exactly 50 years since the presentation of Abarth’s first 595 in 1963.

Officially, Fiat Chrysler Group Australia says only that the latest Abarth 595 special is “under consideration” for release Down Under, but Turin’s press release makes it clear Australia will be on the list.

In fact, with Australians quickly snapping up two batches of the $69,990 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari released here from May 2011 – and the regular Abarth 500 Esseesse hatch and convertible also selling relatively well despite their $35,000 and $39,000 pricetags – Fiat has made it clear Australia is a key part of its global growth plans.

Fiat says 76 per cent of Abarth sales now take place outside Italy, including 21 per cent outside Europe, thanks to strong interest in Asia, Germany and the UK. Abarth sales are up nine per cent this year, with more than 4500 cars sold to June.

“A clear indication of this openness to foreign markets is that as many as 99 of the 299 Abarth 595 '50th Anniversary' cars will be sent to the Asian markets -- and Japan in particular -- and to Australia, of strategic importance for the brand's success,” said Fiat’s Scorpion brand.

Fiat recently opened a 500 square-metre ‘Abarth Experience’ showroom in Yokoyama, Japan and willsoon open its doors in Sweden, following the development of a widespread presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Abarth’s latest limited-edition is the most powerful 595 ever, powered by the same 132kW 1.4-litre T-Jet turbo-petrol engine as the 695 Tributo Ferrari and a five-speed automated manual “Abarth Competizione” gearbox.

Unique design elements include 695 Magnesio Grey 17-inch alloy wheels with “an aggressive red liner” and performance tyres, 305mm floating Brembo brake discs with fixed four-piston callipers, specific shock absorbers and a ‘Record Monza’ variable back-pressure exhaust system “designed to improve engine performance and deliver an inspiring sound over 3000rpm”.

Finished in three-layer matt white paintwork that recalls the 1963 original, the 595 50th Anniversary will also feature a historical logo on its bonnet and black leather-trimmed steering wheel, plus ‘Fiat Abarth 595’ graphics, red leather sports seat trim with white inserts and red stitching, and a matching dashboard.

Abarth will also use the Frankfurt show to present a special-edition 695 Edizione Maserati, limited to just 49 examples globally and finished in unique ‘Record Grey’ paint to mark the car-maker’s establishment in 1949.

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