“We didn’t know which was a bigger surprise,” says Andrei Zaitzev, Abarth General Manager in Australia. “First we were stunned by the performance and then blown away by the demand, with Australian dealers selling out within hours. There was, therefore, only one thing we could do: Get on the phone and plead for more cars for Australia. And it worked! We now have another 45 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferraris en route to Australia and that means another 45 Australians are going to be the very lucky owners of the bambino with the Ferrari genes!”

The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, the ultimate version of Abarth’s hot Bambino, offers a combination of performance, equipment and features that truly bring new meaning to the phrase ‘pocket rocket’ with a 225 km/h top speed and the ability to dispatch the race to 100 km/h in less than seven seconds.

It has been built as a tribute to historic links between Abarth and Ferrari, two great names that have contributed, with conviction and dedication, to the legend of Italian racing that is known around the world. The men behind both marques followed very similar careers: first drivers, then tuners and finally heads of companies that command genuine respect in the world of motor racing. These extraordinary men were associated in the past: in 1953 for example, a unique Ferrari-Abarth was born, the Ferrari 166/250 MM Abarth. The car raced in various international trophies including the legendary Mille Miglia. The tie between the two companies has been reinforced above all by the exhaust systems designed by Abarth specifically for the cars built at Maranello: numerous exhaust systems have been made for various Ferrari models, some of which have won World Championship titles.

In recent years the two brands have started off an even closer collaboration and the result is the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, an exclusive car that on the one hand allows Abarth to expand its range, in this way entering the luxury sports car segment, and on the other offers Ferrari customers a small, high performance car for all mobility requirements, including as a practical urban mobility. The new Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" is distinguished by a number of stylistic features, but more importantly by smodifications developed by Abarth and Ferrari engineers. The engine is a 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16v, tuned to develop more than 132 kW. This is combined with an MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) electromechanical gearbox with race-inspired steering wheel controls that enhances engine’s performance by reducing gearshift times.

To improve acceleration, the car is fitted with performance tyres on 17’’ alloy wheels featuring a design inspired by Ferrari wheels. Ride and braking systems have also been strengthened to cope with the extra power: modular Brembo 305 mm disc brakes with fixed four-piston calliper disc and special shock absorbers that let you enjoy performance in total safety. And of course there is a “Record Monza” variable back pressure “dual mode” exhaust, designed to improve engine performance and deliver an inspiring sound over 3,000 rpm.

On the outside, the car is finished not just in classic Modena Red, but also in the brand-new shade of Modena Yellow, with carbon fibre door mirrors and B pillar trims. Details such as the wheels and front air intakes are in Racing Grey. This new Abarth is equipped with Xenon headlights with dipped and main beam functions for improved light emission and excellent efficiency under all weather conditions. These elements deliver three times the light intensity and duration of standard halogen lamp headlights.

The interiors are also personalised and demonstrate the attention to detail and the sporting style that are common to both brands. “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” carbon fibre racing seats are fitted and finished in black leather and Alcantara with a shell and seat base in carbon fibre. These seats offer a perfect blend of racing characteristics – light weight (10 kg less than the standard seat) and the ability hold the body steady against lateral and longitudinal forces, thanks to body support elements filled with crush-resistant foam – with the ergonomics and comfort of road seats.

The black leather steering wheel is characterised by red stitches and a tricolour hub on which the MTA gearshift paddles are mounted, while the instrument panel is specially made by Jaeger, and inspired by typical Ferrari instrumentation. Carbon fibre is used right across the dashboard and around the controls for the MTA gearbox. Attention to detail has also been given to the aluminium racing pedals, which are personalised with the Scorpion logo, as is the aluminium kick plate in the passenger footwell. The interior is embellished with other details too, like the special kick plate passenger footwell, door sill trim and a plate bearing the vehicle series number.

The Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" comes with a special pack to keep it safe and clean. The safety pack includes a dedicated travel bag with an emergency triangle, work gloves, emergency lights, and an Abarth yellow safety vest. The cleaning kit includes Abarth Leather Cleaning Fluid, Abarth Body Wax and Abarth Interior Cleaning fluid. The Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" even comes with its own personalised car cover. The standard Abarth Travel Pack comprises of a set of “stone washed” black leather luggage designed specifically for the luggage compartment of the Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari". To maximise audio pleasure, the Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" also comes with iPod support package for the Blue&Me Telematics system.

The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is available in Australia with a recommended retail price of A$69,990 excluding statutory charges, delivery and dealer costs. “With its size, performance and features, there really is no other car on the market like the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, and that explains why the first delivery rushed out the door like they did,” says Zaitzev. “Given that more people now know just what a unique car the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is, I am in little doubt that the second, and the definitely last, delivery will leave our show rooms at an even greater speed!”