Fiat launches Abarth 595 in India

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles India today launched its first model under the Abarth brand in the domestic market. The Abarth 595 Competizione, priced at Rs 29.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), is  the high-performance version of the Abarth 500, which in turn is the high-performance version of the Fiat 500 hatchback. The standard 500, powered by a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel engine, was launched in India in 2008 but, following poor sales, was eventually discontinued in 2013.

FCA India also showcased the all-new Punto Abarth which has a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged T-Jet engine, making it the hottest hatch in the country. 

Speaking at the cars’ launch at the Buddh International Circuit in New Delhi, Kevin Flynn, president and managing director, FCA India Automobiles, said, “We are extremely pleased to introduce the iconic Italian brand Abarth from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ stable to our customers in India. The flagship model Abarth 595 Competizione, a sports performance coupe, is renowned the world over for its sheer performance, iconic style and rich heritage.”

The Abarth 595 Competizione is powered by a 158bhp 1.4-litre T-Jet petrol engine capable of developing 23.45kgm of torque in Sport mode. The car also sits lower and uses a stiff suspension set-up for a racier feel. The engine is mated to a five-speed AMT gearbox with paddle shifters as standard.

The car has a unique body kit along with the iconic Abarth badge, and features twin exhausts, 17-inch alloy wheels along with sporting graphite-finish on the door handles, wing mirrors and grille.

Inside, the front seats seen on the standard 500 are now replaced by race seats. The steering is a different flat-bottomed unit bearing the badge, while the instrument cluster is an all-digital unit. Adding to the look of the cabin is a boost pressure gauge and shift indicator sitting high up on the dashboard.

The launch of the 595 Competizione also marks the introduction of the brand in India. Founded in 1949 by Carlo Abarth, the brand was created to build cars as well as modify and improve on existing cars. The scorpion badge was created using Abarth’s birth sign – Scorpio. The brand launched the original Abarth 500 way back in 1958 with a 26bhp 479cc engine. The Abarth 595 was born in 1963, by increasing the existing engine capacity of the Abarth 500 to 595cc.

The brand merged with Fiat in 1971 before shifting into obscurity with simple badge re-engineered cars in the late 1980s. Fiat relaunched the iconic brand in 2007 as a performance brand with the first customer models being the Fiat Punto Abarth and the Abarth 500.

Three models have been lined up for the Indian market under Fiat's Abarth performance brand. The Abarth 595 being its first and halo model, the company is also preparing the Abarth Punto and Avventura 'Powered by Abarth' for the market. The Abarth Punto is expected to get a comprehensive Abarth treatment with a 145bhp T-Jet engine, Abarth wheels, stiffer suspension, sportier bumpers and disc brakes on all four wheels. However, the Avventura 'Powered by Abarth' will not get substantial changes save for the 145bhp 1.4-litre T-Jet motor under the hood.

The Abarth 595 will rival the Mini Cooper S as a high-performance premium hatchback and will be imported as completely built-up units (CBUs). The Abarth Punto and Avventura 'Powered by Abarth' will have no direct rivals in the market with the closest competition for the two models being the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI and Ford EcoSport EcoBoost.