Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati Review

The Abarth 595 Maserati Edition pulls well up to and past 124 mph (200 km/h). This is the effect of 180 HP having to move around only a bit over 2,500 lbs (1,140 kg). The 160 HP you get on the European special editions or the standard US models will also do. However, the 135 HP of the standard Euro-spec model means that car is only fast inside you head. Upgrade to 160 HP, you can.

Speaking of weight, the convertible is only about 90 lbs (40 kg) heavier than the fixed roof model, but you won't feel it at all. What's more, it's totally worth it. On top of all the advantages we've already talked about, this allows you to listen to that ludicrous exhaust better.

No wonder the Maserati Edition only comes as a convertible. It had to respect its Monza exhaust. This recreates the custom exhausts Karl Abarth sold to finance his racing in the 60s'. Once you go past 3,000 rpm, the system can basically bypass the rear muffler, so everything changes. Count the pipes underneath the car and it will all become obvious.

The sound's meaty down low and, as you accelerate, the aural experience feels almost as if the system it doubles or triples the cubic capacity of the engine. Don't worry though, when you're not hard on the gas, you won't even hear the thing. By the way, dealers will also sell this as a retrofit part for standard Abarths, if we can call them so.

And if you want to know one of the reasons for which any Abarth's engine is so cool, we'll tell you this much - the 1.4-liter unit was tweaked by Paolo Martinelli. The man was previously in charge of the Ferrari V10 F1 engines that brought the company six manufacturer titles. He probably knows what he's doing.

The powerplant isn't even very thirsty. Inside the city, this pocket rocket needs between 10 and 15 liters per 100 km (23.5 – 15.7 mpg), depending on the mood of your right foot. Here on the open road, you can even drop to 7 l/100 km (33.6 mpg) if you're not in a hurry.

But how can you not be, with such handling? The Abarth concentrates over 60 percent of its mass over its front axle, but it's as playful as a puppy. On a sugar rush.

If you want to have the maximum amount of fun with this car, you'll have to throw it from one corner to another. Inside the city you can make due without the "Sport" button. However, the open road demands the heavier steering this brings along with the engine and pedal mapping changes. There's enough feel to enjoy yourself too.

The chassis is responsive and it likes you using kinky stuff like lift-off oversteer. Make sure you have the TTC on though. This Torque Transfer Control mimics the action of a mechanical LSD. While it's obviously not as good as one, it comes very close. When you throw yourself hard at a bend, you can feel the car slightly pulling you towards the apex as if it would use the real deal.

And those valves in the Koni shocks means that the handling is neat. Body roll is pretty limited. At the same time, the ride is OK. It's pretty comfy under many conditions, but it doesn't like broken B roads or larger bumps.

Alas, only the US Abarths get ESP that can be switched off. The Maserati, being a European model, has to make due with the partial slides the non-collapsible system allows. It's still a ton of fun though.

The pleasure here is that, unlike in most modern go-fast vehicles, you have to extract the performance rather than push a pedal and face it. And then there's the go-kart handling. You really can't say that about too many other cars without the sentence turning into a cliché.

That left hander is approaching really fast and we're abusing the Brembo brakes. Combine this hefty hardware with the negligible mass of the car and the result is predictable: plenty of stopping power. Don't forget to add the smooth modulation and the delicious metallic pedals. Hooning is served.

We came out of the city expecting the Abarth 595 Maserati Edition to be just another hot hatch that feels a bit forced when asked to do many miles on the open road. We were wrong. This thing goes like stink out here.

Just as important, when you're done fooling around, the Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati becomes civilized enough for cruising.