Abarth reveals new rally-inspired version of 695 with a rugged look and performance upgrades
- Off-road inspired bodykit
- Only 695 to be built
- On sale now from £32,325
A new rally-inspired special edition of the Abarth 595 has been revealed. Called the Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally, it pays homage to the iconic Fiat 131 Abarth Rally, with which the brand won three World Rally Championship titles between 1977 and 1980. The limited run model gets an off-road inspired bodykit as well as exclusive blue paint and a host of performance enhancements.
The 695 Tributo 131 Rally arrives in showrooms later this Summer and will be limited to just 695 units worldwide. Buyers can place their order now, with the new car priced from £32,325 – a staggering £12,000 more than an entry-level Abarth 595. Essentially a tuned version of the long-serving Fiat 500, the Abarth 595 has few direct rivals, with the closest being the cheaper and less-powerful Volkswagen Up! GTI and the larger MINI Cooper S.
Fans of the Abarth 595 and the more-powerful Abarth 695 will immediately notice the Tributo 131 Rally’s more rugged appearance. Gloss-black cladding has been added to the wheel arches, plus there is a new, manually-adjustable roof spoiler which can provide up to 42kg of downforce at 124mph.
Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally models also debut an exclusive new paint scheme: the appropriately-named Blue Rally. This three-layer paint is contrasted by a gloss-black roof that matches the wheel arch cladding.
On the inside, the blue theme continues with a model-specific set of grippy Alcantara sport seats. There is also more of the man-made suede material on the dashboard and steering wheel, helping give the car a more sporty and premium feel.
Abarth has also spent time scattering several ‘easter eggs’ throughout the exterior and cabin of the 696 Tributo 131 Rally. For example, the silhouette of the original Fiat 131 Abarth Rally is engraved on the lower part of the door, as well as on the dashboard and headrests.
The changes for the Tributo 131 Rally are not just skin deep, however, as the car also benefits from a variety of technical upgrades. An upgraded Monza exhaust system comes as standard over the already rorty unit fitted to regular 695 cars. The Tributo 131 Rally also gets an upgraded suspension kit and large front and rear disc brakes.
Under the bonnet, the Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally uses the brand’s tried-and-tested 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Here, it produces 178bhp and can propel the hot hatchback from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds.
What does this mean for car buyers?
The Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally isn’t the most extreme road-going version of the spicy city-car (the stripped-out, two-seater Biposto has that honour), but it’s not far off. Abarth is not shy about making special editions of the Abarth 595, with previous models including collaborations with the likes of Maserati and even Ferrari.
We have always loved the characterful charm of the 595, however we cannot quite recommend this new model to the average consumer. Its technical upgrades, high price and limited production run will certainly appeal to hardcore enthusiasts and collectors, but it’s unlikely to provide £12,000 more fun than the entry-level car.
Keyword: Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally special edition storms in