Abarth 595 and 695 get mild styling tweaks and louder exhaust

Externally not much has changed on the Abarth 595. There’s a larger air scoop up front, which apart from looking more aggressive, is said to help improve engine cooling by 18%. At the rear there is a more pronounced diffuser along with tweaked reflectors and vents. All models have polyelliptical headlights and LED daytime running lights as standard while Xenon headlights are available as an optional extra.

There are new paint options too with the 595 Competizione and 595 Pista available in the striking "Adrenalina Green” while the 595 Turismo now comes in “Asfalto Grey".

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Perhaps most significantly, Competizione and Pista variants now get a new Record Monza exhaust as standard which features an active valve to give a more resounding engine rumble when toggled by a Sport button on the dashboard.  It means the exhaust noise can be changed by the driver to best suit their surroundings and driving style with a softer, more neighbour-friendly sound that changes up to more of a brash and sportier noise when the need arises. Given that the 595 has always been one of the fruitier-sounding small cars around, the new system promises to be worth listening out for.

The most powerful version in the 595 line up is the Competizione, which has a 1.4 T-jet engine producing 178bhp that helps it get to 60mph in 6.7 seconds. It also gets a choice of gearboxes with either the paddle shift automatic or a 5-speed manual gearbox to consider. Brembo brakes or 284mm and 240mm at the front and back respectively come as standard on every Abarth 595.

Inside there are more subtle changes such as the new optional flat bottomed steering wheel and both carbon and Alcantara trim on the Competizione. Harder to notice will be the fact that the turbo pressure light is now white, which Fiat says makes it easier to follow. In terms of infotainment tech, the 595 Pista gets a Uconnect 7" HD touchscreen system, while the 595, the 595 Competizione and the 595 Turismo all come with a smaller 5” UconnectTM touchscreen system.

Alongside the 595 models, the Abarth 695 Rivale special edition continues, a tie-up with Italian Yacht builder Riva that is intended to bring a more luxurious edge the Abarth city car. It gets the top-spec 178bhp engine from the Competizione plus a whole lot of wood trim in the cabin.