YOU KNOW THE OLD MOTORING journalist cliché about great cars feeling right in the first 200 metres? Well, the Abarth 695 ain't that. The driving position seems too high, your feet land strangely on the pedals, and the steering wheel only adjusts for rake when what you crave is more reach. Far from feeling right, it feels wrong before you've turned a wheel.
That's the bad news.
The good news is the Abarth is such a boisterous character that those negative first impressions are soon blown away, with a generous blast of turbo boost and a flatulent parp from the exhaust. Personality counts for a lot in small, sporty cars and the 695 has it in spades. In fact, it's a riot.
I have to confess I was less than familiar with the Abarth model line-up. I've seen plenty of Competizione versions, and lusted after the rare-as-rocking-horse-muck Biposto for years, but the 695C Turismo is a new one on me.
The '695' means it has 178bhp and 184lb ft, delivered with surprising gusto by Fiat's stalwart 1.4-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder. The 'C' bit refers to the roll-back roof, which prompts inevitable 'hairdresser' jibes from my colleagues (and, in a somewhat meta twist of irony, my own hairdresser) but promises some fresh-air fun once spring arrives. As for the Turismo bit, it means the vibe is a bit more grown-up and not quite as obviously racy as the Competizione.
The interior is an Econo-plush mix of cheap plastics for the dash and door panels, with quilted leather upholstery and a few square inches of Alcantara. There's even some carbon fiber on the steering wheel. The infotainment (with CarPlay) is neat and easy to navigate, while the Beats hi-fi has some surprising heft and a pleasing tone. My old bones mourn the lack of heated seats, but given the 695 has its roots in a simple city car, it has a decent array of mod cons.
この記事は Evo UK の April 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Evo UK の April 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
BEST BUYS AUDI RS
THERE'S NO GETTING AROUND IT: AUDI RS PRODUCTS haven't taken home nearly as many group-test trophies as BMW M cars have over the years.
BMW M3 E46
The E46 was the first M3 to be launched during evo's lifetime, and its unique. unrepeatable character ensures it remains one of the very best
XX RATED
The Spider version of the SF90 XX provides our first taste of Ferrari's track-focused 1016bhp hypercar on the road
RADICAL SR3 XXR & REVOLUTION 500 EVO
No road car pretensions here: the Radical and Revolution sit where race car meets trackday car
ANALOGUE ELISE & ALPINE A110 R
No-expense-spared restomod Elise by Analogue Automotive makes an intriguing pairing with the lightweight, track-focused A110 R
FORD FOCUS ST TRACK PACK & HONDA CIVIC TYPE R
The Civic Type R has so far seen off all challengers, but will it meet its match in the trackday-friendly Focus ST?
TOYOTA GR86 & BBR MX-5
GR86 and supercharged MX-5 look closely matched on paper; how will it prove on the twists and undulations of Cadwell?
PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS
It’s the perfect blend of speed, poise and precision: what better car than the GT3 RS to establish our benehmark lap
TRACK CAR OF THE YEAR
From hot hatches to flyweight sports cars to actual racers, 15 contenders vie to be crowned evo Track Car of the Year 2024
ORANGE RUSH
The new Vantage has the power and speed to take on the mighty Porsche 911 Turbo S, but is it all about the numbers or does it have the ability to engage and entertain too?