Abarth 595 50th Anniversary

This commemorative Abarth will be manufactured in only 299 exclusive units.

While it may only look like the original 1963 595, with insect eyes, if you squint, there are plenty of Abarth badges stuck to the body of the limited edition model, including five scorpions on the body (plus three inside) the car and one on the key ring), not to mention the three-layer pearl white paint, the large sunroof and the retro Fiat Abarth angled insignia on the luggage compartment protector: a simple but thoughtful touch.

Style enhancements include 17-inch alloys with red lining, xenon headlights and a sunroof. Inside, there are red leather sports seats with white inserts and red stitching, a black leather steering wheel and spokes, climate control, rear parking sensors and an Interscope stereo system.

Despite its high price, there is no media system with touch screen, satellite navigation or cruise control. The stereo system is complicated, and the voice control system is one of the worst I’ve ever tried. If you can make Bluetooth connectivity work, and I can’t, for the record, you may be disappointed to learn that it doesn’t have audio streaming capability.

That said, the cabin is amazing, with comfortable sports seats and comfortable support in the front and a sleek red finish.

However, some drivers may find the seats small and the seating position is higher than it should be. The steering wheel also has the large size for such a small car, and the speedometer is difficult to read.

Under the hood, not in the boot, as in the case of the Abarth 595 with a half-century old rear engine, is a four-cylinder 1.4-litre turbo engine that produces 132 kW and 250 Nm. These figures are higher than 118kW and 230Nm in the Abarth 500. This engine tuning was previously reserved for models 695 Tributo. The engine is exclusively associated with a Competitizione five-speed automated manual transmission.

Fiat does not claim an exact speed time of 0-60 mph, except to indicate that it will administer the feat in “less than seven seconds”. That will be done on your way at a maximum speed of 140 mph.

To access all 132 kW and 250 Nm, the Sport mode must be activated. The change in engine response is instantaneous, with the accelerator pedal sharpened up and the gearbox allowing revs to increase and make more aggressive changes.

Inside, the Koni damping elements are front and rear with Eibach springs, which are stiffer but more composite than the standard 500 Abarth. The ride is firm, though sometimes uncomfortable, but on smooth surfaces, the 595’s grip and turning capabilities are among the best in its class.