Fiat 500 Abarth Ferrari 695 Tributo - My review

Wretched · 25-08-2012, 02:23 PM

Got the call last night from a friend who got his hands on an Abarth Ferrari 695 Tributo, in turn he threw me the keys for a bit of fun over the next day or two.

Up close the car loses a lot of the "girly" look of the standard 500. I have driven the Abarth 500 and this looks very similar from the outside except for the carbon fibre on the door frames and the quad exhausts out back. The car sits nice and low with a fatter stance. The wheels like all 500's and many small FWDs are pushed right to each corner to improve interior space and handling.

Inside though is different, carbon fibre everywhere, no manual transmission , a semi auto with flappy paddes and the seats are a lot thinner with carbon fibre backing. They are comfortable but I have to say, like the standard Abarth 500 they do not have enough lateral support. The Focus ST/XR5T seats run rings around these. You also sit too high for my liking. Back seats? You look at the car and think, no way but to be honest the average person would be able to sit in there, for how long? Not sure.

The steering wheel is fantastic, nice size, fits well and comfortable. The car is loaded with all the gadgets you can think of and everything can be customised via menus. One thing that was missing but didn't bother me was cruise control. hmmm

How does it drive, well so far I have only done a little around the block drives for now. My opinion, this thing is a little rocket, looking at the car I underestimated its performance. It is a step above the Abarth 500 and the sound it makes is awesome. Each gear change lets off a pop.
The ride is probably not for everyone, it is a little stiff but I much prefer a harsher ride in my cars. Though it isn't bone breaking.
Gear changes in manual mode are not bad, the flappy paddles are attached to the wheel and I didn't notice any lag between changing up or down and the gearbox registering it. At the moment I have only tried sports mode and manual mode once I get more time I'll try auto and non sports.

The steering in this car is crisp, no play in the steering, just point and shoot. I can relate driving this thing to a go kart, a lot of fun that doesn't make you smile but actually caused me to chuckle to myself. It is addictive to drive. The Brembo brakes just jeep biting and again the turn in from the steering is awesome, going around corners is simply on another level. I did notice a tiny bit of turbo lag but to be honest it didn't matter.
I'll try get some video footage.

The price of this car is excessive to say the least but it isn't something I would be buying at this stage in my life but I can see the fun in it.
Overall the car is quick, handles brilliantly (I would even say it is far more agile than the Focus XR5), sounds good and the quality of materials and the attention to detail is up there with the best though it cannot hide its origins.
It isn't for everyone but it is another choice, one for those who don't want to get something everyone else has.
The market for small performance hatches is simply awesome and we're spoilt for choice.
Alright I'm off for another drive

Nikked · 25-08-2012, 02:26 PM

Interior is nice...

But outside it looks like a Dalek...

justrod · 25-08-2012, 03:05 PM

Honey I Shrunk The Ferrari!!

**DJM83** · 25-08-2012, 03:19 PM

Love it.
I did happy laps with VWWatercooled a little while ago and the was an Abarth there albeit it tuned and modded but geebus it was quick even in a straight line i couldnt get near it and in the corners i would have had to say my prayers if i was thinking of keeping up.
Awesome car IMO.

2011G6E · 25-08-2012, 04:19 PM

I absolutely love the new Fiat 500...the thing is amazing, and the looks are a great tribute to the original Bambino.

We saw an advert for them, and the missus said "Hey, I really like that".

Seeing as how there's really only the two of us now, and we have the old WB ute for carrying big loads and the Celica if we want a change of style...hmmm....

Brazen · 25-08-2012, 04:47 PM

Sounds great, first car ever though that I reckon actually needs a bonnet scoop or bonnet vents just to un-cute it a bit, especially for price you are paying! Thanks for the review.

Rodp · 25-08-2012, 05:24 PM

For me the front spoils the car to the point I'd never own one. It looks like a toy. Certainly looks the business inside, though.

Bossxr8 · 25-08-2012, 07:40 PM

Over $70,000 for a Fiat 500, just because it has Ferrari stickers on it.

I can see where the money has gone but its still absurd.

Till_Lind · 25-08-2012, 08:30 PM

Definitely one of my favourite small cars on the road today, the 500. This one being even more horn.

Franco Cozzo · 25-08-2012, 09:59 PM

Did it come with matching pink scarf?

I don't like the look of the Fiat 500, and this is coming from a small car FWD fan.

Also, $70,000?

calais · 25-08-2012, 10:58 PM

Ive driven the 500 Abarth Essesse, and really liked it.

Definately a go cart, but a comfortable one. They are one small tune away from 200hp. These 695's are a cut above, and with a few mods, quite the giant killer come track day time.

As for the asking price? not for me. But for a wealthy mans toy, perhaps?

Yellow_Festiva · 26-08-2012, 07:28 AM

Love the idea of the 500, as well as its historical roots.

The only thing I really dislike about the 500 bodyshell is that it's 50-70mm too tall... looks awkward to me..... Needs a lower waistline and seats to lower its overall profile.

$70k is a bit much, but then again the sort of buyer for this car will not be asking prices IMO.

Thanks for the write up!

In Focus · 26-08-2012, 10:39 AM

Looks too "cute", though it's obviously a good performer. INMNSHO $70k is about $30k too much, however.

Is it one of these cars European makes have to turn out to lower their fleet average emissions?

**DJM83** · 26-08-2012, 12:52 PM

I doubt Fiat would be a brand that needs to lower emissions.

Yellow_Festiva · 26-08-2012, 01:28 PM

I think it's sold as a Ferrari, therefore lowering their emissions average. Bit like that other brand (Aston Martin?) that sold a rebadged Toyota micro car (Agyo?) Sorry using phone so can't confirm question marked stuff.

Bossxr8 · 26-08-2012, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

I think it's sold as a Ferrari, therefore lowering their emissions average. Bit like that other brand (Aston Martin?) that sold a rebadged Toyota micro car (Agyo?) Sorry using phone so can't confirm question marked stuff.

Its not a Ferrari or sold as one, its a Fiat tribute to Ferrari.

Yellow_Festiva · 26-08-2012, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Its not a Ferrari or sold as one, its a Fiat tribute to Ferrari.

Funny that there is not 1 Fiat badge to been seen yet Ferrari a plenty. A google search of the Ferrari 695 brings up this car....

It also isn't mentioned in the 'Latest News' section of the Fiat 500 site, unless you scroll down to 2009 where the concept was first mentioned.

It is, however mentioned in the Abarth section. There is also a Maserati Tribute! I still think this has something to do with emissions either way you look at it.

Various other articles show the car in what looks like a Ferrari showroom... Other sites mention it as a 'Low cost Ferrari' rather than an over priced Fiat as well....

Bossxr8 · 26-08-2012, 09:46 PM

As Ferrari is part of the Fiat group, i'm pretty sure their emissions are included in the whole family of car makers under the Fiat umbrella anyway.

Aston had to go on their own with the Cygnet because they aren't aligned with any other manufacturers.

Yellow_Festiva · 26-08-2012, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

As Ferrari is part of the Fiat group, i'm pretty sure their emissions are included in the whole family of car makers under the Fiat umbrella anyway.

Aston had to go on their own with the Cygnet because they aren't aligned with any other manufacturers.

Fair enough. Cygnet.. thats the thing I was referring to! Name slipped my mind.

gtxb67 · 26-08-2012, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Funny that there is not 1 Fiat badge to been seen yet Ferrari a plenty. A google search of the Ferrari 695 brings up this car...

it has abarth badges which to my knowledge is part of fiat's sporting division
most of the ferrari badges also have tributo just before ferrari

flappist · 26-08-2012, 10:52 PM

Yep it is a Ferarri and you drove it, not many people ever actually do that.

Just like I used to fly a Gulfstream and a guy I knew owned a Boeing.....well a Tiger and a Stearman but badges is badges and on this forum sometimes the badge is far more important than the performance......

The Aston Martin bubble had a review on Top Gear.....you can guess the content.

Neale · 26-08-2012, 11:07 PM

Great review, thanks for sharing.

IMO they just look a but too try hard, like I wanted a ferrari & this is all I could afford & most people wont know what they are & think you have just put a ferrari badge on your girlfriends car.
Most people want to buy a Ferrari for street cred & I dont think this car gives that impression despite its performance.

**DJM83** · 27-08-2012, 08:41 AM

Who cares if its a Ferrari or a Fiat really?

Wretched · 27-08-2012, 08:48 AM

Final thoughts on the car.

Pros

Brings enjoyment back to driving in something that resembles a go kart.
To further emphasize the first point, the handling is brilliant.
The sound and the experience it gives.
Quality (a paradox I know) of materials given inside and out.
The Brembro brakes, they never gave up.
Even after the relentless thrashing it barely used any fuel (not that I cared) and it never felt tired.

Cons

The seating is far too high (same issue I have with Falcons).
The steering while brilliant was ruined by an unusually high steering position (even after adjusting I couldn't get it right).
No manual. The flappy paddles allowed quicker shifts than a manual but I thought they reduced the fun a little.
No cruise control.
Can't escape it's humble origins
The ****y Ferrari badges are simply that but I feared when I parked in the shopping centre that they would attract morons who like to steal badges.

I have not listed the price because that had no bearing on my opinion of the car, I didn't have to buy it nor do I have to pay to maintain it. This was purely based upon my drive with it. Would I buy one? No. Would I drive it again? Hell yeah.
The Ferrari link I don't see anything more than a marketing gimmick but it is backed up by extra ponies, a splash of carbon fibre everywhere, better brakes, seats, etc.

I am really digging these little pocket rockets, they're so chuckable and while not blindingly quick in a straight line around corners not much will catch them. This here is my type of driving. Would love to test a Fiesta ST (and RS if rumors are true) to see what is on offer from them.