Abarth
hasn't anything big to shout about in Frankfurt this
week, however it is showing off three new
special-edition models, the most significant of these to
fans of the Scorpion being the race-inspired, "street
legal" 695 Competizione.
Featuring two
seats and a rollcage, the 695 Competizione draws on the technology and
components of the 500 Assetto Corse and 695 Tributo
Ferrari.
Inspired by the Abarth 500
Assetto Corse, the exterior of the car comes in Grigio Competizione
Opaco livery that forgoes
strong colour contrasts in favour of a refined tone-on-tone effect.
But the main distinguishing
element is inside. Like a real racing car, this is a two seater in which the
rear seats are replaced by a roll bar the same Grigio Competizione Opaco shade
as the bodywork. In this way the car acquires additional sporting character
because the roll bar decreases its weight, making it even better performing. The
space left empty by the seats sports a trim reminiscent of the almond of the
racing cars, which continues into the boot. The Abarth 695 Competizione has
"Abarth Corsa by Sabelt" seats in black leather with Alcantara red inserts and a
carbon fibre shell and seat base. Red stitchings, "695" logo and "Competizione"
graphics respectively embroidered on the headrest and backrest further enrich
the seats.
The black leather steering wheel is characterised by a tricolour hub and red
inserts, and is fitted with 5-speed "Abarth Competizione" gearshift paddles,
while the instrument panel is specially made by Jaeger. The carbon dashboard
contains the Abarth Blue&MeTM MAP satellite navigation unit with a telemetric
function developed in conjunction with Magneti Marelli and, on the central
console, the chrome plate with sequential numbering to demonstrate the
exclusivity of the Limited Edition version.
Attention to detail has also been given to the racing pedals, which are
personalised with the Scorpion logo. Finally, the interior is also embellished
with the carbon running board with "695 Competizione" graphics in a satin
aluminium finish. This special series is also equipped with Xenon headlights
with dipped and main beam functions for improved light emission and excellent
efficiency under all weather conditions. The 17" rims whose design is borrowed
from the "Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari", matching the body, and Brembo brake
calipers and hub cap, both red, complete the aesthetic features of the exterior.
In keeping with its racing vocation, the Abarth 695 Competizione is equipped
with the 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16v engine - tuned to develop more than 180 HP -
combined with the "Abarth Competizione" gearbox, an electromechanical gearbox
with race-inspired steering wheel controls that makes full use of the engine's
performance by reducing gearshift times. In detail, this transmission has two
operating modes: "Street" with automatic gearbox and "Track" where shifting is
instead manual, in line with the car's vocation, "Sunday on the track, Monday at
the office".
As on the 695 Tributo Ferrari,
the suspension and braking systems have also been further strengthened to cope
with the extra power: Brembo 305 mm disc brakes that can be dismantled with
fixed four-piston caliper disc and special shock absorbers that guarantee
performance in total safety. There is also the "Record Monza" variable
back-pressure "dual mode" exhaust, designed to improve engine performance and
sound over 3,000 rpm.