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The Abarth division of Fiat – which is actually a separate brand technically – has released yet another version of the funky Fiat 500. This one is the fastest Abarth ever according to them.
It’s called the 695 Biposto, and it debuted in Geneva this past week. Being the fastest street legal Abarth ever, this is something rather special, and as such, Abarth have given it some real racing attributes.
For a start, biposto means 2 seats, so the rear seats have been chucked out altogether, which isn’t exactly a bad thing as they offered next to no space. The front seats are Abarth Corsa by Sabelt seats, which feature 4-point racing harnesses.
It receives an injection of race-car DNA technically too, as bits and bobs from the 695 Asseto Corse race car have been transplanted, including the front intercooler, Akrapovic exhaust system, Extreme Shox adjustable shock absorbers, MXL digital data logger, Brembo braking system, lightened 18-inch OZ rims, and a rear titanium roll bar.
Being race engineered, the 695 Biposto tosses out standard sliding front windows in favour of fixed panel windows with sliding panels. Other visual elements include bumpers, side skirts, wheel arches, and spoilers, with carbon fibre inserts.
This isn’t all for show though. The 997kg 695 Biposto is propelled by a 1.4-litre T-jet engine, which develops 142kW. This, in tandem with the manual H-pattern gearbox with dog-rings (which enable clutchless shifting) is able to shunt the 695 Biposto from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 230km/h.
Safety is kept in check thanks to ABS, ESP and TTC, a self-locking clutch plate differential, and racing derived Brembo brake system. The brake discs are ventilated and perforated and measure 305mm, housed within 215/35 R18 rubber on the 18-inch alloys.
The Abarth 695 Biposto is a car for the most hardcore Abarth fanatic. Even the 695 Tributo Ferrari seems weak by comparison. This may be small, it may be a bit too retro, but it’s hardcore and for that we love it!
