Nothing says happy birthday better than a special edition of the feisty hatch.
Abarth is in a festive mood as 2019 marks the brand’s 70th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate the important milestone if not by coming out with a special edition? Limited to 1,949 units as a nod to the company’s year of birth, the amped-up Fiat 500 is based on the hardcore 695 version of Abarth’s pocket rocket and comes with an assortment of cosmetic tweaks.
While the visual changes probably won’t be enough to make you rush to a local dealer, the Abarth 695 70° Anniversario does have an ace up its sleeve. Look at the back and you’ll notice a rather large roof-mounted spoiler serving as the special edition’s party piece. Manually adjustable in literally a dozen of positions, the spoiler was developed in the wind tunnel to achieve maximum aero efficiency regardless of speed.
Gallery: 2019 Abarth 695 70° Annivesario
Its inclination varies from 0 to 60 degrees and helps increase aerodynamic load by 42 kilograms when the car is traveling at speeds of 124 mph (200 km/h) provided the spoiler is at its maximum inclination. Abarth has done the math and it claims the new aero component will reduce steering corrections by as much as 40% based on the testing they’ve done at FCA’s wind tunnel in the Orbassano municipality located southwest of Turin.
Power is provided by the familiar 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with 180 hp and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque, good enough for a sprint from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.7 seconds before topping out at 140 mph (225 km/h) if the spoiler is in the 0° position. Those 17-inch SuperSport wheels are paired to a Brembo braking system with four-piston aluminum calipers finished in red, hugging the 305-mm front and 240-mm rear self-ventilated discs.
The Monza 1958 green livery harkens back to the first 500 Abarth that scored a total of six international records that year and this retro-flavored shade is combined with Campovolo gray accents creating an interesting two-tone look. Rounding off the changes on the outside is the newly developed Record Monza exhaust with active valve for a better soundtrack.
Abarth also spruced up the cabin a bit where the body-hugging seats are exclusive to this special edition, just like the individually numbered plaque reminding you this isn’t an ordinary 695. Onboard tech includes support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB digital radio and a navigation system for that seven-inch touchscreen display. Additional standard equipment includes automatic climate control, daytime running lights, LED fog lights, unique mats, and the Abarth telemetry system if you plan on taking the hot hatch to the track.
In Italy where it will hit dealers in a couple of weeks, the Abarth 695 70° Anniversario carries a starting price of €34,600 (about $38,000 at current exchange rates).
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The new Abarth 695 70° Anniversario special edition was presented today in Milan to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Abarth & C. brand and to pay homage to the ingenuity of its founder Carlo Abarth (1908 – 1979), who was the first to understand the potential of tuning and technical upgrading on standard production cars.
Produced in just 1949 units, which was the year the company was founded, the new limited edition is the most important of the sequence of tributes presented during this year’s celebrations. It is now the turn of the exclusive 695 70° Anniversario to fire up the dreams of thousands of fans of the Italian brand. The new limited edition is dedicated to the fans of the Scorpion and was presented at the 2019 Abarth Days, the largest European gathering of Abarth enthusiasts that will be hosted in the futuristic MIND (Milan Innovation District) until October 6. It will be an exciting surprise for the many participants who gathered in the new Science, Knowledge and Innovation Park to celebrate the first 70 years of the automotive legend altogether.
The new Abarth 695 70° Anniversario is equipped with the new “Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile”, which is the result of the work of Abarth engineers in the FCA wind tunnel in Orbassano (Turin), designed to improve the aerodynamics of the car. It increases grip on fast mixed courses and stability at high speeds. In one word, it increases performance. The new “Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile” is, therefore, a tribute to the founder’s performance concept, which went far beyond the quest for pure power, top speed and acceleration. Carlo Abarth strived for comprehensive performance and focused on the search and development of innovative technical solutions. It is precisely this continuous research that made him famous as one of the pioneers and visionaries in the field of tuning.
New Abarth 695 70° Anniversario
Intended for collectors as well as fans of uncompromising performance and sportiness, the Abarth 695 70° Anniversario impresses with its new rear spoiler that makes direct reference to the world of motorsports and the legendary racing history of the brand with the Scorpion badge. The spoiler is manually adjustable, just like in races where it is not uncommon to see the mechanics in the pits adjust the angle of the spoiler to allow the driver to set the behaviour of the car according to the track. On the Abarth 695 70° Anniversario, the “Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile” can be adjusted to 12 positions with an inclination from 0° to 60°. In the maximum inclination position (60°), the spoiler increases the aerodynamic load by up to 42 kilograms at a speed of 200 km/h. This ensures excellent vehicle dynamics and more stable behaviour at high speeds, especially on fast mixed grip courses.
A practical example is the legendary Curvone of the Vallelunga circuit, where the “Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile” allows the driver to reduce steering corrections by almost 40%. To achieve a technical level like this, the new Abarth 695 70° Anniversario was tested in the full-scale wind tunnel located in Orbassano, south of Turin, where FCA tests its vehicles.
Built in the seventies and continually updated to implement the latest technologies, the centre is one of the few in Europe, and the only one in Italy, capable of allowing full-scale testing and high air speeds (up to 210 km/h). The objective was to optimise the aerodynamics of each model that is produced by simulating the movement of the car with respect to the wind, like when running in the real world. It was in this centre of excellence that the “Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile” of the Abarth 695 70° Anniversario was developed and tested in all possible configurations and in the various trim, speed and yaw angle conditions.
The looks of the new Abarth 695 70° Anniversario are further characterised by picking up some iconic style cues of the past and present, such as the Record Monza active exhaust for an unmistakable sound, the new Monza 1958 green livery (a tribute to the colour of the first 500 Abarth that set six international records at Monza that year), the many Campovolo grey details, including the “Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile”, the Body Kit, the front and rear DAMs and the mirror caps. The same colour is used for the Scorpion stickers on the bonnet and the chequered sticker on the roof to reassert its sporty look. The 17″ SuperSport alloy wheels and the famous bright red Brembo calipers are also standard. More in detail, the powerful braking fits Brembo brakes with four-piston aluminium calipers and 305-mm discs at the front and 240-mm discs at the rear, both self-ventilated.
The same sportiness can be found inside the cockpit on the new, exclusive “Sabelt Tricolore” seats developed specifically for this special edition. The glorious racing past of the brand is also referenced by the badges on the body in old-fashioned font and the vintage Scorpion emblem, which is an unmistakable tribute to the heritage of one of the most famous Italian brands in the world.
Inside the cockpit is a numbered plate for each of the 1949 units that will be made, making each 695 70° Anniversario an authentic collectable.
The new 695 70° Anniversario is equipped with the most powerful engine in the range. The 1.4-litre turbocharged engine delivers 180 hp of power and 250 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm with a top speed of 225 km/h (with spoiler set to 0° position) and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds. In short, the 695 70° Anniversario is the perfect combination of engine and aerodynamic performance.
With sports customers in mind, there is no shortage of connectivity. Apple CarPlay and Google Android AutoTM * with UconnectTM 7″ HD system are standard with the DAB digital radio and navigation system. The infotainment system has a high-def screen and Abarth Telemetry, an integrated application created to measure performance. Completing the standard equipment are automatic climate control, DRL, LED fog lights and specific mats.
*Android Auto, Google Play and Google Maps are trademarks of Google LLC.
Apple CarPlay is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
Tuning in Carlo Abarth’s DNA
Carlo Abarth was born in Vienna on November 15, 1908, and he achieved almost unprecedented success in the world of motor racing, as the result of absolute dedication to the engine world and to a truly prodigious talent, dedication and flair for innovation. Scooters, bicycles, motorbikes and sidecars. Any vehicle was good for the young man, the important thing was being able to dismantle them, repair them or improve their performance. At the age of 11, Carlo Abarth wrapped a leather belt around the wheels of his scooter to reduce friction with the asphalt and beat the bigger kids in their neighbourhood challenges. Nine years later, he achieved his first successes on a Motor Thun. By now, his precocious passion for engines was mapping out his future path. In addition to driving, of course, the giddiness of speed, and striving for competition. His aptitude for racing that was soon accompanied by an innate flair for engineering and in 1930 he produced his first motorcycle customised with the brand Abarth.
Unfortunately, a serious accident during a race in Linz forced him to abandon motorcycling, but he did not lose the determination to push himself and his own limits, and he continued to race with sidecars, a vehicle that he made famous, thanks to exploits such as the race against the Orient Express train (obviously won by Abarth) in 1934. This marked a new beginning for Carlo Abarth. In 1945, he moved to Merano and becomes an Italian citizen to all effects. Then, after a brief experience in Cisitalia, on March 31, 1949 he founded Abarth &C with driver Guido Scagliarini. Their first car was the 204 A derived from the Fiat 1100. It commanded attention on 10 April 1950 when Tazio Nuvolari drove it to win his last race, the Palermo-Monte Pellegrino. Since then, new sports and industrial records, revolutionary tuning kits and legendary races have been continuously added to the history of the Scorpion. An example? It was in 1962 when Carlo Abarth decided to race the Abarth 1000s with the rear bonnet open to encouraging engine cooling but he soon realised the aerodynamic impact of this modification. So, in 1966, he made a real resin spoiler, becoming one of the first to equip racing cars with an spoiler to take advantage of the aerodynamic benefits it provided. It is precisely to this record that the new Abarth 695 70° Anniversario is paying tribute.
An exciting campaign video to extol Carlo Abarth’s timeless spirit
The launch of the new Abarth 695 70° Anniversario is accompanied by a communication campaign created by Independent Ideas. The compelling video campaign celebrates its 70th anniversary by recounting the life of the founder, studded with dedication, adrenalin and speed, and his timeless spirit that is still embodied in today’s models. Viewers are drawn in by a fast sequence of images that illustrate Carlo Abarth’s three famous exploits intertwined with three new features introduced by the brand with the Scorpion badge this year.
The video starts with budding genius Carlo who in 1918 modified his scooter to win his first races on the streets of Vienna. The same search for performance is found in the new 595 Pista, an extraordinary model equipped with the new Record Monza exhaust with active valve and Koni rear suspensions with FSD technology for perfect road holding, handling and safety.
The image changes and the spectators are catapulted to 1934 when the ambitious young man made headlines by overtaking the Orient Express, one of the fastest trains of its day, with his sidecar, as a further demonstration of the man’s determination. The parallel editing continues with an exciting driving perspective of the Abarth 595 esseesse, the new special edition that reflects the founder’s attitude to overcome the toughest challenges and that has its roots in the history of the brand. The name “esseesse” refers to the famous tuning kits of the sixties that made Carlo Abarth’s fortune.
Another leap in time and the viewer is inside Abarth’s garage. It is 1962 and the Abarth 1000 is winning everywhere, crossing the finish line with the now-famous open rear bonnet to dissipate engine heat and had a beneficial impact on aerodynamics. One of the first rear racing spoilers created in 1966 was based on this intuition. The scene changes again and we see a snappily Abarth 695 70° Anniversario racing with its rear spoiler raised. It is the latest tribute to the heritage of the Scorpion and to the inimitable personality that makes an Abarth car immediately distinguishable on everyday roads.
Directed by Alessio Fava for the Haibun Production Company, the film closes with the new claim “Let’s play forever” which, in this year of celebrations, underscores the timeless, sporty spirit of the brand.
The long sequence of tributes for the 70th anniversary of the Scorpion
The new Abarth 695 70° Anniversario completes the long series of licensing and merchandising tributes created to pay homage to the important milestone and to expand the visibility of the Scorpion outside the automotive world. Collaborations have been struck with leading partners to create exclusive products that will also be sold to the public during the 2019 Abarth Days, confirming that the passion for Abarth is a lifestyle that makes every day special.
One of the most recent celebratory products is the stamp run bearing the official “70th Anniversary” logo created by the San Marino Philatelic Numismatic Office.
Sporting triumphs inspired the special Breil chronograph produced in a limited edition of 800 pieces, entirely in titanium and packed with references to the world of racing, such as the Abarth band and the iconic celebratory Scorpion emblem. The new Abarth apparel and accessory collections are also inspired by the world of motorsports. The racing style takes hints from several key components, such as the famous Record Monza exhaust or the tyre tread. The Scorpion badge and the “70th Anniversary” logo embellish all the products. Wearable performance and history continue with the new “Record” capsule collection created by Iuter to celebrate the achievements of the Fiat Abarth 1000 Pininfarina Record single-seater. In particular, the statement Record Hoodie and Record Tee display the words “12 hours of life without thinking about the past and the future” and “203.656 km/h” to celebrate the speed record set in the 1960s in Monza. A photograph of the car is printed on the front of the Monoposto Crewneck and Monoposto Tee with the word Abarth, the technical specifications of the car and its records printed on the back.
Worth mentioning in the exclusive lifestyle product range is the Ixoost Kubo – Abarth 695 home sound system that integrates a BluetoothTM amplification system capable of connecting to all devices implementing the same technology and the one-of-kind Record Monza exhaust replica sound system with bass reflex function. Abarth bikes reassert the time-honoured partnership with Compania Ducale. These bicycles embody the search for performance, that has always been a key factor in the Abarth DNA and amaze with the Abarth colours and symbols that have gained a firm footing in collective imaginary. The long sequence of celebratory tributes continues with the precious art prints by Editalia, a company belonging to the Istituto Poligrafico and Zecca dello Stato (the Italian State Mint), which pay tribute to some of the most emblematic cars in the history of Abarth.
FCA Bank’s financing solutions for the latest Abarth 695 70° Anniversario
FCA Bank, the captive bank of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance, supports the sales of Abarth vehicles by providing a broad range of financing solutions to provide all its customers with the best possible experience. Anybody who wishes to drive the new Abarth 695 70° Anniversario can opt for one of the following products: Instalment Loan: Traditional financing that allows the buyer to pay for the vehicle over an extended period of time; Leasing and PCP (Personal Contract Purchase): Highly flexible solutions with low monthly payments and the possibility to choose, on the contract expiration date, whether to return, keep or replace the car with a new one; Private Lease: A solution for drivers who do not want to own the vehicle, with the ensuing costs and uncertainties, involving a single monthly payment inclusive of the main insurance, assistance and infomobility services.
Turin, 4 October 2019
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