Very early this year, in January, the small Italian automobile manufacturer Abarth has presented the refreshed form of the 2021 model year 595 range. It brings a host of enhancements to the series but keeps the same power levels as before. That is a shame because we love the way this little devil sounds and would have appreciated a few extra ponies under the hood.
It seems this issue hasn’t impaired the good folks over at the AutoTopNL YouTube channel from enjoying the 595 Competizione version just recently, although we’re pretty convinced the example they had for testing isn’t of the recently upgraded variety.
Instead, it’s tuned for a little more power than stock, as the initial specification sheet mentions an increase from 180 to 205 horsepower under the hood. That’s not all, because the already gorgeous-sounding Abarth also got a set of straight pipes for an even beefier soundtrack in the tuning process.
Which is cause for tunnel sound check celebration, naturally. That’s exactly what happens just moments after we see the little city car that likes to call itself a sporty ride take off from the parking lot. In case it’s the very first time anyone hears this thing rumble, pop, and crack (sometimes almost at the same time), it’s definitely going to be a shock—though a positive one.
For the rest of us, it’s sweet music to our ears, just before we check out the speedometer and GPS readings for the zero to 62 mph (100 kph) sprint, which come out mildly impressive at 6.64 seconds. That prior dash out of the tunnel at full throttle wasn’t the only one, luckily, so there’s a festival of pops and cracks before we head into the 62 to 124 mph (100 to 200 kph) trial which ends a hair before the 20-second count.
But wait, there’s even more from this feisty and yellow Abarth because the exhaust bumbling continues as we check out the stick shift and the rest of the 595 interior, before embarking on the traditional top-speed attempt. That one ends fairly quickly, though, at around 144 mph (231 kph).
Instead, it’s tuned for a little more power than stock, as the initial specification sheet mentions an increase from 180 to 205 horsepower under the hood. That’s not all, because the already gorgeous-sounding Abarth also got a set of straight pipes for an even beefier soundtrack in the tuning process.
Which is cause for tunnel sound check celebration, naturally. That’s exactly what happens just moments after we see the little city car that likes to call itself a sporty ride take off from the parking lot. In case it’s the very first time anyone hears this thing rumble, pop, and crack (sometimes almost at the same time), it’s definitely going to be a shock—though a positive one.
For the rest of us, it’s sweet music to our ears, just before we check out the speedometer and GPS readings for the zero to 62 mph (100 kph) sprint, which come out mildly impressive at 6.64 seconds. That prior dash out of the tunnel at full throttle wasn’t the only one, luckily, so there’s a festival of pops and cracks before we head into the 62 to 124 mph (100 to 200 kph) trial which ends a hair before the 20-second count.
But wait, there’s even more from this feisty and yellow Abarth because the exhaust bumbling continues as we check out the stick shift and the rest of the 595 interior, before embarking on the traditional top-speed attempt. That one ends fairly quickly, though, at around 144 mph (231 kph).