Fiat augments 500 range with Abarth 595 models

Before you get too excited about these special Abarth models, understand that these are for the UK and we're not getting them, at least not yet maybe we'll see it Stateside if Fiat sales need an injection next year...

The two special models are named 595 Turismo and 595 Competizione. The former isn't all that exciting compared to the American Fiat 500 Abarth anyway, basically just packaging typical aftermarket-style upgrades like 17-inch alloys, aluminum pedals, leather, Xenon headlights and red brake calipers, among other equipment. The Competizione is the interesting one, adding ungraded shocks, cross-drilled disc brake rotors, Sabelt seats and a Monza exhaust system to the equipment list.

List price for the Turismo is 17,725 (about $27,725) and the Competizione is 18,725 (roughly $29,295) and both models are available in 500C convertible guise as well. Keep in mind that like most quoted UK prices those include taxes and licensing fees.

Scroll down to read the full press release.
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Jay Leno burns rubber in a Fiat 500 Abarth

As you can see from the screen grab above, some people get to have all the fun. Jay Leno, who owns more cars than you will ever drive in your lifetime, was graced with the presence of a Fiat 500 Abarth at his garage.

Now, this was not the first time that Fiat has stopped off with the potent Italian runabout. Fiat dropped in on Leno with an Abarth back in December of last year, but this time he was able to take it out on the road and put the performance-minded 500 through its paces. And that he did.

Leno owns the very second 500 to be sold in America, and raised the question: Is the Abarth good enough for an upgrade? We certainly think so, but Jay took to the Los Angeles streets to find out. Along the way, he mused about how the Abarth would stack up against the Ferrari Dino and the future of the performance automobile. To find out what Jay thought of the Fiat 500 Abarth check out the video below.
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