Built on character
Abarth secures 30 595 Scorpioneoros for Australia
Just as night follows day, Abarth has launched another special edition 595, this time paying homage to the A112 Abarth ‘Gold Ring’ of 1979.
Officially dubbed the 595 Scorpioneoro, just 30 examples will be making it to Australia out of a global production run of 2000 units, each priced from $31,450 plus on-road costs, with automatics carrying a $2150 premium.
Replicating the aesthetics of the original A112 Abarth, the Scorpioneoro dons a black paint job and gold 17-inch alloy wheels with matching gold decals on the bonnet.
A gold ‘all around liner’ circumnavigates the body, as does some gold badging, while a matte black chequered flag adorns the roof.
The golden highlights are continued inside the cabin, with a ‘595 Scorpioneoro One of 2000’ plaque fixed to the centre console, emphasised by the piano black interior and dash trim.
Other unique touches include the new leather-upholstered ‘Scorpionflage’ sports seats with the Italian flag and ‘Abarth Scorpioneoro’ embroidered on the headrests, the usual array of DAB, Apple Carplayandroid Auto – accessed via a Uconnect touchscreen – and climate control are all present too, along with exclusive floor mats and a premium Beats audio system.
Apart from its appearance, the powertrain is where the Scorpioneoro distinguishes itself from the mainstream 595 range, as well as the other special editions.
Whereas the standard 595 develops 107kw-204nm and the Competizione produces 132kw-250nm, the Scorpioneoro’s turbocharged 1.4-litre engine churns out a middling 121kw-230nm, resulting in a claimed 0-100kmh time of 7.3 seconds.
The standard transmission choice is the familiar five-speed manual, however a five-speed ‘Dualogic’ automatic is optionally available – both send drive exclusively to the front wheels.
Abarth Australia marketing communications director Tom Noble said the Scorpioneoro is ‘an authentic representation of the brand’s racing heritage that fans and collectors will relish’.
“A spirited driver’s car with its manual transmission and punchy engine, we now have a visual guise that truly reflects the character of Abarth, complete with numbered golden heritage scorpion badging making it an authentic collectible for enthusiasts,” he said.
Fiat Australia has sold 327 examples of the 500 and 595 so far this year ending July 31, accounting for a narrow 6.4 percent of the micro segment it shares with the Kia Picanto with 82.1 percent share, and Mitsubishi Mirage, 11.5 percent.