Just as it did with Ferrari, Abarth will pay tribute to Italian sports car maker Maserati with a limited edition model, the Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati.
Like all Abarth models, the 695 Tributo Maserati is a high-performance, premium-equipped sports car based on the versatile Fiat 500 platform. But while the Ferrari tribute borrows the body of the tiny 500 hatchback model, the Maserati version is based on the open-top 500C.
The 695 Tributo Maserati will debut at next month’s Geneva motor show, launching the exclusive production run that will include just 499 cars.
Abarth Australia says it is examining the 695 Tributo Maserati for our market. Edward Rowe from Abarth’s Australian distributor told CarAdvice the car has not yet been confirmed for right-hand-drive production and said it could not arrive in Australia until mid 2013 at the earliest.
Abarth will take a close look given the roaring success of the $69,990 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari. Australia was given two batches of 45 cars, and just a handful are still available.
The Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati is powered by the same turbocharged 132kW/250Nm 1.4-litre T-Jet engine as the Tributo Ferrari and is teamed with a five-speed Abarth Competitzione robotised manual transmission with paddle shifters.
Complementing the high-performance drivetrain is the ‘Record Monza’ variable back-pressure dual-mode exhaust, which is designed to improve engine performance and enhance the sound in makes above 3000rpm.
Brembo 305mm brake discs with four-piston callipers and uprated shock absorbers sit behind 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in performance rubber.
The three-layer ‘Pontevecchio Bordeaux’ paint comes from Maserati, and the electric folding soft-top is finished in grey fabric. Sporty front and rear bumpers and side skirts extend the racing theme, while xenon headlights complete the exterior upgrades.
Inside, the seats are upholstered with beige leather and feature heat-printed ‘695’ badges on the headrests. Matt-finished carbon is used across the dashboard, and the instrument cluster has been designed by UK fashion house Jaeger.
Aluminium pedals and sill plates, carbon fibre kick plates, a boosted audio system and a unique build plate round out the 695 Tributo Maserati enhancements.
Joining the Tributo on Abarth’s stand at Geneva will be the new Abarth 595 – an aftermarket package based on the standard Abarth 500.
Two distinct Abarth 595s will showcase two customisation options: ‘Competizione’, for race lovers “who love sportiness without compromise”; and ‘Turismo’, for trendsetters who prefer “a marriage of comfort, elegance and sport”.
Abarth says the five-speed manual 595 can sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds and will go on to a top speed of 211km/h.
Rowe said Abarth Australia would look at both 595 variants for our market but insisted they would take considerable homologation work to satisfy Australian Design Rule standards.
More details will be revealed at the cars’ Geneva premiere on March 6.
