Nother CarGuy

Abarth has two debuts for this year’s Geneva Motor Show and chances are both will send your heart racing. The first is the Abarth 595 esseesse (the Italian pronunciation of “SS”) which is inspired by the legendary 1960s tuning kit and the later Abarth 500 edition launched in 2009. The second is the Abarth 124 Rally Tribute, a limited edition of just 124 cars that celebrate the 2018 FIA R-GT Cup victory. Starting with the Abarth 595 esseesse, it places itself at the top of Abarth’s 595 lineup as it’s equipped with the brand’s most powerful engine, the 1.4-liter turbo-four rated at 180 PS (178 hp). It features performance-enhancing standard equipment including an Akrapovic exhaust system, Brembo front braking system with perforated, ventilated front brake discs and oversized red brake calipers, BMC air cleaner, as well as Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) rear suspension. The latter is said to improve cornering abilities. On the tech front, the 595 esseesse gets the...

Fiat's Abarth performance division only ever has two models to work with at a time. Sometimes just one. So it stands to reason that it keeps rolling out new versions of the same, and that's just what it has in store for this year's Geneva Motor Show. Leading the charge is the new Abarth 595 Pista. Though you wouldn't know it from the name, one look is all it takes to tell you're looking at an upgraded version of the Fiat 500, joining the Scoprion marque's lineup alongside the standard 595, 595 Turismo, and 595 Competizione. The Pista version packs a 1.4-liter turbo four rated at 160 horsepower, propelling it to 62 in 7.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 134 mph – roughly the same specs as the US-spec Fiat 500 Abarth. What sets it apart is the rest of the spec sheet. It features cross-drilled brakes, Koni rear suspension, 17-inch alloys, Abarth Record Monza exhaust, on-board telemetry system... the works, in short, to give it more performance appeal. Buy...

Abarth is ready to present its revised 595 range which among others brings an additional five horsepower for select versions. For the 595 and 595 Turismo, the turbocharged 1.4-liter engine has been massaged to deliver an extra five hp (3.7 kW), so now you get 145 hp (108 kW) in the former and 165 hp (123 kW) in the latter. There aren’t any changes as far as torque is concerned which means the 595 continues to offer 152 pound-feet (206 newton meters) whereas the beefier 595 Turismo puts out 170 lb-ft (230 Nm). If you need more power, the 595 Competizione soldiers on with 180 hp (132 kW) and 185 lb-ft (250 Nm). Being based on the facelifted Fiat 500 series, it should not come as a surprise the 595 trio shares the same visual updates. LED daytime running lights are standard and at an additional cost buyers can order optional xenon headlights. Abarth has created new 17-inch Granturismo alloy wheels which are not only seven percent lighter than before, but their ventilati...