Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati Review

We've rarely had so much fun per liter. Fiat and Abarth have managed to pull off one of the best retro reincarnations the car world has even seen. This thing doesn't just look like the original, it also has the spirit. As any Abarth, the 695 Maserati Edition is a roller-coaster ride. And like in a mountain rousse, you'll be sharing the joy - this Abarth seems to have a wow factor that draws people to it more than in the case of some supercars.

They've gone really deep with the integration of the Maserati features and the end result is something that will get under your skin. Its thrills are delivered in a refined way and this makes up the best part of the special edition.

And the good thing is that its GT claims are not a joke. You can use this stingy little thing as a daily driver, inside or outside the city. And with its clever roof, it'll make a brilliant convertible too.

In fact, Abarth 500s are cars for enthusiasts. They're much quicker in your head than they are in reality, so if you're just looking for numbers this isn't the place for you. However, if you appreciate the feel of a car more that its on-paper specs, Abarth can deliver something that's very hard to find. For one thing, it does it better, more pure than MINI. The comparison stays true even if we're talking about the standard Fiat 500C.

And editions such as this one only come to accelerate the importance of the way you're viewing things.

Alas, this Abarth also generates some negative emotions. Its turning circle is too hefty, the gearbox can be tricky at times and the interior still holds a few unpleasant plastics.

However, just like we can forgive the hopelessly impractical nature of many supercars thanks to their good sides, we can do the same for this Abarth's flaws.

This is why, after the test drive, we wanted another ticket to this amusement park. So we took #499 home. For good.

As for the financial side, it all matters how you look at the Abarth 695 Maserati Edition. If you're strictly considering value for money, you'll live happily ever after with the 160 HP model, especially with a Monza exhaust, you don't need this. In the US, the Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio starts at $26,000, while it Europe prices for the 160 HP Abarths begin at EUR23,550 (19 percent VAT included).

However, if, like us, you're regarding the Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati as a way to replace those uptight sports cars or supercars in your garage, this thing will be worth its EUR38,000 price. We'll give this Maserati Edition an 8 out of 10 when it comes to value for money.

Get serious. This Abarth Maserati Edition is a drug. When did you last hear somebody having a reasonable conversation about the economic factors that determine the correct price per unit for forbidden substances?