Re-priced Abarth 595 Competizione flies out of showrooms

A price drop of $8010 on the new range-topping Abarth 595 Competizione has seen vehicles all but sell out, but there’s a sting in the scorpion’s tail for fans as the company confirmed this week both the 695 and bonkers Biposto are not slated to return.

The confirmation comes after news last month the high performance Abarth 595 line-up is being simplified to just two models, the 595 and 595 Competizione.

Abarth claims its range will now be easier for customers to navigate, as it steps from the entry model 1.2-litre Fiat 500 Lounge through to the new range-topping 132kW Abarth 595 Competizione.

While Fiat and Abarth are marketed and sold as separate brands within dealerships, Mr Fulvio Antonelli, Director – Marketing and Product for Abarth, said the 500 range now offered a more simplified progression from affordable motoring to performance models.

“One of the things we wanted to do was simplify the range. Having too many options can be prohibitive. There’s a nice walk up across the range. Even though they’re different brands, Fiat and Abarth, if you want more performance there’s now a more logical walk up,” he explained.

Antonelli added that a price drop of $8010 for the 132kW/180hp Abarth 595 Competizione performance model is contributing to a sales boost for the brand.

“We’re very tight for 180 horsepowers for the rest of the year, which is a good thing because customers are seeing real value in the 180 horsepower. Last week we had our best Abarth 595 week on record. It’s all due to the new range, I guess the accessibility of the range. We’ve really tried to hit the sweet spot at $31,990,” he said.

Abarth customers are driving enthusiasts who are also choosing manual transmissions over the Fiat’s duologic automatic. Three out of every five cars is a self-shifter, representing a higher manual to auto ratio that most other car brands.

Despite the price point, Abarth says its enthusiast customers are not fazed by the lack of available driver assistance technologies – the tiny hatch can’t be had with either a reverse camera or cruise control, let alone features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure assistance or blind-spot monitoring.

“At this stage a lot of the (driver assistance) technology is not available globally at the moment. We would look at every single one of those techs if they were available,” Antonelli revealed.

“The car’s so different that it appeals to very different audience as opposed to a mainstream buyer and for that reason, people see beyond the lack of tech for example, and they see the addition of other bits and pieces in the vehicle that make it so unique.

“Honestly I don’t think that people are walking onto our showroom floor, falling in love with the car and saying ‘I’m not buying that car because it doesn’t have a camera’ they’re just going ‘wow’.”

While the 695 and Biposto won’t be coming back, Abarth does have plans to continue its tradition of introducing limited edition models. It has previously paired with brands including Ferrari, Maserati and Gucci to create limited edition vehicles and promises a high-end luxury collaboration is on the cards next year.

“Look out for 2018, you’ll see some really cool stuff coming through. We’re working on a number of projects,” Antonelli predicted.

“There’s a real desire for high end premium products in Australia. I think Italy is cool again. If you look at a lot of the premium brands in terms of fashion – Italian brands are flying.”

Motoring.com.au’s first drive review of the 2017 Abarth 595 and 2017 Abarth 595 Competizione will be published on 10 November.