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CAR OF THE WEEK
The Determined Scorpion - Abarth 695 75th Anniversario
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Few badges in the automotive world stir up as much mischief and character as Abarth. Founded by Carlo Abarth in 1949, the brand carved its name in motorsport by taking small Fiats and transforming them into snarling, overachieving pocket rockets. The scorpion on the badge isn’t just for show—it’s a warning that this isn’t your ordinary city runabout. Abarth celebrated its 75th anniversary with the special Abarth 695 1.4 T-Jet 180 75th Anniversary edition, and it’s a reminder of everything that makes the marque special. Here are the five standout features that define it.
1. The 1.4 T-Jet Engine – Tiny but Terrifying
At the heart of the 695 is Abarth’s tried-and-tested 1.4-litre turbocharged T-Jet engine, producing 180 horsepower. On paper, that might not sound earth-shattering in an age of 400-hp family SUVs, but here’s the trick: the 695 weighs about as much as a determined sneeze. That means 0-62 mph in just 6.7 seconds, a proper hot-hatch figure. The engine itself has become a cornerstone of modern Abarth identity—raspy, eager, and always a little unrefined, just the way enthusiasts like it. It feels alive, and that’s what Abarth is all about.
2. A Record Monza Exhaust – The Scorpion’s Sting
Every great Abarth comes with a soundtrack, and the Record Monza exhaust system on the 75th Anniversary model is pure theatre. Fire it up and the little four-pot barks awake before settling into an impatient growl. Push it hard, and it turns into a symphony of crackles and pops that could wake the neighbours three streets over. It’s not about subtlety; it’s about swagger. Carlo Abarth himself was obsessed with sound, believing that a car’s voice was as important as its speed. This car honours that belief.
3. Heritage Styling with a Twist
Visually, the 75th Anniversary edition nods to Abarth’s past while looking thoroughly modern. It comes dressed in bold livery with gold accents, special badging, and 17-inch alloy wheels that wouldn’t look out of place on a race car. Inside, you’ll find Sabelt sport seats that hug you like a racing harness and carbon fibre touches that add a dose of seriousness. It’s playful yet purposeful—exactly the balance that has always defined Abarth’s design language.
4. Razor-Sharp Handling
Abarth has always been about agility, not brute force. The 695 continues this tradition with Koni FSD shock absorbers, uprated suspension, and a mechanical limited-slip differential that keeps you glued to the tarmac through tight bends. It’s the kind of car that makes a roundabout feel like Silverstone. That “giant killer” spirit—the ability to embarrass much bigger and more expensive machines on twisty roads—is a thread that runs through Abarth’s history, and it’s alive and well here.
5. A Celebration of 75 Years of Mischief
The real magic of the 75th Anniversary 695 is what it represents. It’s not just another hot hatch—it’s a rolling tribute to 75 years of Abarth’s rebellious streak. From tiny Fiat 500s that dominated racing in the 1960s to today’s scorpion-badged machines, Abarth has always stood for pluck, passion, and performance that punches above its weight. Driving one isn’t just about speed; it’s about being part of a cheeky, underdog story that’s still being written.
The 2024 Abarth 695 1.4 T-Jet 180 75th Anniversary isn’t the fastest, biggest, or most high-tech car on sale. But that’s the point. It’s about fun, history, and a refusal to play by the rules. Carlo Abarth would be proud—75 years on, his scorpion still knows how to sting.
