Classic pearls of the future - Abarth 695 Biposto
10/18/2016
In 2007, Fiat introduced the modern 500 model, marking the start of an extensive model range. The Fiat 500 was, after all, just one of several nostalgic vehicles on the market, similar to the Mini from BMW or the Beetle from Volkswagen. However, the Fiat 500 turned out to be a sales success and the range was soon expanded.
And a brand that had almost been forgotten was revived, namely Abarth. It started with the Abarth 500 in 2008, but the rocket was ignited with the Abarth 695 Biposto in 2014.
Unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the modern Biposto offered 190 turbo hp from its 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. You could buy an entry-level model for around EUR 40,000, but the small two-seater (!) only became really special with the options racing gearbox, aluminum hood, racing dashboard, etc. However, the price then also increased significantly and the car moved into regions where some new car buyers could also purchase a chic Mercedes convertible.
The little rocket needed 5.9 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h, and a top speed of 230 km/h was reported. However, it was even more impressive to experience how these performance figures were achieved. With the racing-based claw gearshift, the gears can also be changed without using the clutch, although this is not as smooth as with a dual-clutch gearbox, but more snappy in racing style. And that is fun, especially on the racetrack, somewhat less so when driving to the shopping center.
The 695 Biposto is basically the counterpart to the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and so it should also make it into classic car heaven when one day there will be almost only electric cars on the roads. Whether the exhaust flaps will still be allowed to be opened, however, is not yet known.
Incidentally, we have already paid tribute to the Abarth 695 Biposto as one of the few modern cars in a report when we compared it with the 595 essesse and the 1000 TCR from 40 years ago. More pictures of the Abarth 695 Biposto can be found in a picture magic series.
