An additional 45 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari super hatches have been made available in Australia after the first batch of 40 cars sold out almost before it hit showroom floors.
At $69,990 before on-road costs, the Fiat-based Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is by far the most expensive light car in Australia.
Abarth Australia general manager Andrei Zaitzev said his team was “blown away” by the demand for the first 40 cars, which were confirmed for local distribution in May. The majority was accounted for before even arriving in Australia, and Mr Zaitzev said the few that slipped through to dealers were snapped up “within hours”.
“There was, therefore, only one thing we could do: Get on the phone and plead for more cars for Australia. And it worked,” he said.
“We now have another 45 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferraris en route to Australia and that means another 45 Australians are going to be the very lucky owners of the bambino with the Ferrari genes.”
The 695 Tributo Ferrari is powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre T-Jet engine with modifications by Abarth and Ferrari.
It produces 132kW of power and 250Nm of torque – figures identical to the $27,790 Volkswagen Polo GTI.
A five-speed MTA robotised manual transmission with paddle shifters sends power to the front wheels, helping the 695 accelerate from 0-100km/h in under 7.0 seconds and up to a top speed of 225km/h. Combined cycle fuel consumption is 6.5 litres/100km and CO2 emissions average 151g/km.
The Abarth 695 scores includes a range of mechanical enhancements, headlined by a new Garrett turbocharger, new engine management control unit and a Record Monza variable back pressure dual-mode exhaust.
The shocks, springs, brakes, calipers, pads, alloys and tyres are all uprated compared with the Abarth 500 Esseesse upon which the 695 is based.
The exterior is covered in carbon fibre and also sports silver bonnet and roof stripes, grey air intakes and xenon headlights, while the interior is fitted out with black leather/alcantara upholstery, carbon and aluminium highlights and the Blue&Me telematics system.
Mr Zaitzev said he expected the second, and final, batch of Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari vehicles to race out the door even faster than the initial shipment.
“Given that more people now know just what a unique car the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is, I am in little doubt that the second, and the definitely last, delivery will leave our showrooms at an even greater speed.”
