- A highlight at the Geneva International Motor Show will be the Abarth 124 GT, Fiat’s new special edition that has a double personality – a stylish coupé and a bold and dynamic roadster for real driving pleasure.
- The Abarth 695 Rivale, developed in partnership with Riva, will be displayed alongside the Abarth 124 GT, demonstrating the meeting of two excellences from Italy, both renowned for their attention to detail and their ongoing quest for speed.
- Performance, technology and iconic Italian style are the key factors behind the steady global expansion of the brand bearing the Scorpion badge.
The trademark grand-tourer-styled silhouette of the special edition will be on show alongside the exclusive Abarth 695 Rivale. Designed in partnership with the iconic and world-famous yacht builder Riva, the car is the perfect blend of elegance and performance. These two models will create an invitation for the public to learn more about the values of a brand founded on top performance, craftsmanship and the continual search for technological advances. These key attributes guide the work of the Abarth designers, engineers and technicians who create the compact supercars with the Scorpion badge which are ready to engage either on the road or the race track alike.
Abarth 124 GT
A coupé, interestingly the only one on the market to have a roof made entirely of carbon fibre, as well as a roadster will be on display. In addition to the features that marked the success of the 124 spider, the car is packed with features, such as 17-inch OZ Ultra-Light alloy rims, which are about three kilograms lighter than standard wheels and guarantee improved handling together with a refreshed, sportier design.
Furthermore, the mirror caps sport a special gun metal colour which matches the front spoiler. Matte black bonnet treatment is available as an option. This finish is an unmistakable reference to the classic Abarth 124 Rally on which this solution was adopted to prevent the driver from being dazzled by the sun. A Carbon fibre rear spoiler and hard top are also available as options. The mirror caps can be either red or made of carbon fibre.
The hard top weighs just 16 kilograms and contributes to improving the compactness and overall torsional rigidity of the car. It guarantees thermal insulation and soundproofing, while ensuring an ample rear view. It can be removed and refitted in a few easy steps. This means being able to switch from open-air thrills to the bold grand-tourer-style, which has always been a key part of the DNA of the Abarth brand, in just a few minutes. Both uniquely different, the two models embody the leading values of the performance brand, craftsmanship and technical excellence.
The Abarth 124 was engineered to create a new benchmark paradigm in the sporty roadster segment and does so with cutting-edge engineering solutions, such as weight concentrated within the wheelbase, engine installed behind the front axle, sophisticated mechanics and special materials to achieve a record-breaking weight-to-power ratio. Furthermore, the perfect 50/50 weight distribution in running order ensures excellent feedback and agility. The suspension features a high double wishbone suspension on the front and a five-arm multi-link on the rear with a calibrated setup specifically designed to increase cornering and braking stability. Finally, the Abarth 124 GT fits a powerful, four-cylinder 1.4 litre MultiAir turbo engine. It delivers 127 kW (that is about 93 kW per litre) and 250 Nm of torque with a top speed of 232 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. It is available with either a six-speed manual or an automatic Sports Sequential Esseesse gearbox. The first is characterised by quick and accurate shifting, courtesy of a short-stroke direct lever. What is more, since engine sound is a fundamental element of all Abarth cars, a Record Monza exhaust with a dual mode system capable of modifying the path of the exhaust gas according to engine rpm and of generating a satisfying, deep roar is fitted as standard.
Abarth 695 Rivale
Abarth 695 Rivale is the special edition that has been designed in partnership with Riva, the iconic world-famous Italian yacht builder. It is the most sophisticated of all Abarth creations and the perfect blend of elegance and performance.
Premium materials and supercar performance is the combination that makes the 695 Rivale unique. Available as a hatchback or convertible, the Abarth 695 Rivale is distinguished by its exclusive livery with the two-tone Riva Sera Blue and Shark Grey paintwork and the delightful touch of two aquamarine stripes running around the waist rail, similar to the “beauty line” that appears on yachts. The satin chrome finish on the door handles, the “695 Rivale” badge on the tailgate and rear wings, and the satin chrome moulding on the tailgate, all make this model even more distinguished, evoking the affinity of style with the side view of the new Riva yachts.
Under the bonnet of the 695 Rivale lurks a 1368 cm3 engine which delivers a peak power of134 kW and a torque of 250 Nm. The weight-to-power ratio of 695 Rivale is worthy of a real supercar (5.8 kg/HP with a weight of 1045 kg) and the performance is stunning: top speed of 225 km/h and just 6.7 seconds (6.9 seconds with robotised sequential transmission) to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. The underlying aim of the 695 Rivale is to go beyond the traditional values of Abarth by embracing the unique allure of Riva, to satisfy the demand for thrilling performances combined with luxury-class elegance and refinement. Its style is inspired by the brand-new Riva “56 Rivale” open, one of the most elegant, fastest yachts the Sarnico yard has ever built.
The interior of the Abarth welcomes occupants with a warm mahogany dashboard of clear nautical inspiration. Wood – the most natural of materials – meets state-of-the-art technology for a result of absolute excellence, just like on Riva yachts. In addition to the dashboard fascia with maple inlays, the mahogany variant includes a special blue and black leather steering wheel with mahogany hub, blue leather instrument panel upholstery and mahogany gear knob and kick plate. The UconnectTM infotainment system with 7-inch HD touchscreen, compatible with Apple CarPlayTM and Android AutoTM, is standard equipment. Every car is finished with a numbered plaque, mounted using the same screws that Riva employs on the Rivale 56 yacht, which can be customised with the name of the owner’s yacht – an original way to turn the new Abarth 695 Rivale into a high-performance land tender. Last but not least, the Abarth’s personality is clearly expressed by features such as Akrapović exhaust with carbon tailpipes, Brembo brakes with black four-piston fixed callipers at the front, 17-inch Supersport alloy wheels with special glossy grey finish, and Abarth by Koni suspension system with FSD (Frequency-Selective Damping). These unique characteristics make the Abarth 695 Rivale an instant classic, absolutely worthy of a place on the elite Abarth Register, which only includes the most exclusive cars with collectable technical or historic features.
Circuit racing, rallying and young drivers in the Abarth 2018 competition season
The Abarth racing plans for 2018 will focus on two main areas, namely rallies and circuit racing. After its impressive debut in 2017, which won the Abarth 124 rally the Italian and Spanish titles in its class, Abarth has decided to aim high, offering prizes and incentives to drivers competing in the top international championships, through the Abarth 124 rally Selenia International Challenge. The top prize will be for drivers taking part in the FIA R-GT CUP, with the winner receiving an Abarth 124 rally.
In 2017, Abarth 124 rally won the R-GT class in the Italian Championships, with Fabrizio Andolfi Jr, and in Spain, with Alvaro Muñiz Mora, demonstrating outstanding reliability and competitiveness in its very first season: Andolfi finished all 10 races he took part in (seven valid for the 124 Rally Selenia Trophy, together with the Rally di Romagna, the Rally San Marino on unpaved roads and the Rallye du Valais), winning his class eight times and achieving very impressive results. Another fine demonstration of the Abarth spider’s potential came recently in the Monte Carlo Rallye, where Andrea Nucita and Marco Vozzo recorded an incredible fourth best time overall – amongst the official WRCs – in the event’s toughest special test stage, held in extreme conditions with snow and ice. Making good use of the electronic engine and traction control, the Italian driver showed that challenging conditions bring out the best in this rear-wheel-drive car.
On the racing circuit, the Abarth Selenia Trophy is being held for the tenth consecutive time. A real record, considering that the car used since the start has been the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse, which was joined in 2012 by the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse, further upgraded in 2014 to increase its power to 160 kW, delivering performances of absolute excellence, and genuine thrills for spectators.
Drivers can compete in the Abarth Selenia 2018 Trophy in either the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse Evoluzione or the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse, in separate classes. There is a special focus on young drivers from the ages of 16 to 18, who are able to participate in the championship, thanks to an agreement with Acisport which helps these budding sportsmen and women to achieve their racing licences by running special test sessions for them.
The Abarth Selenia Trophy season consists of seven races, two of them abroad. Given the outstanding success experienced in Italy and Germany over the past seasons, Abarth has decided to support the fourth edition of the F4 Championship in Germany and to reconfirm its involvement in the Italian Championship as sponsor and official engine supplier.
The 1.4 Turbo T-Jet engine with 120 kW, derived from the one fitted on the street-legal 595 and used on the Abarth cars competing in the Abarth Trophies, will be powering all the cars made by the Italian manufacturer Tatuus again this year. Last season, more than 40 young drivers competed in the German Championship and over 30 in the Italian one.