Fiat’s new all-electric 500 might be grabbing the headlines, but the older petrol-powered ones haven’t been forgotten, especially in rorty Abarth guise, as the 695 Esseesse conspicuously confirms.
Latest in a long line of range-topping 695s, the Esseesse (pronounced SS if you’re flummoxed) is a limited production run of 1,390 examples. Half are to be painted Scorpion black, the remainder Campovolo grey, but all will use the more rigid three-door hatchback bodyshell.
What makes the 695 Esseesse special?
There’s something charmingly comedic about how hench the Abarths look compared with a regular 500, and the 695 Esseesse is no exception in this regard.
A protruding, deep-set front bumper, white 17-inch alloy wheels shrouding red Brembo brake calipers, white exterior accents all play their part, but it’s the tailgate-mounted rear spoiler that’s going to garner the most attention.
We’ve seen the Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile – that’s an adjustable spoiler to you and I, but it further reiterates how mundane items sound better in Italian – already on the 695 Anniversario, which the Esseesse essentially replaces, but it’s good to see it again.
Cranked-up to its maximum position of 60 degrees up from the horizontal, the spoiler creates downforce – pushing the rear of the Abarth towards the ground to maintain stability. At 124mph that equates to 42kg of extra weight.
Poking out from the rear bumper are a pair of titanium finishers for the Akrapovic sports exhaust. If you’re unfamiliar with the kind of noises these make imagine having popping candy in your ears. No, louder and angrier than that.
Much more subtle is the new aluminium bonnet, with a pair of power bulges stamped into it. Not only does it make the Abarth look even more purposeful, it’s a useful 10kg lighter than the steel bonnets on other models.
How about inside?
Non-sporty 500 derivatives trade on cutesy, pastel-toned interiors – an approach that has worked very well for Fiat, but wholly inappropriate for an Abarth.
Dominating the interior is a pair of Sabelt sports seats for those up front. The outer shell is finished in gloss white with a combination of black leather and Alcantara faux suede upholstery the surfaces you sit upon.
Grey and black stitching – to match the exterior paint – contrasts with bright red seatbelts.
Instead of the usual body-coloured section of the dashboard, Esseesse customers find the panel enveloped in more Alcantara for a plusher feel, complemented by carbon fibre touches for the steering wheel and gearknob.
Equipment levels are generous, including the 7.0-inch Uconnect multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, electric windows, digital instrumentation and climate control.
Okay, it’s got the looks – but is it quick?
Packing a 180hp 1.4-litre turbocharged engine into something not much bigger than a shoe is inevitably going to end up being riotously swift – in fact, this is now Abarth’s quickest car.
Wind the rear spoiler back to its horizontal position and the 695 will reach 140mph, while its 250Nm of pulling power ensures that the 0-62mph sprint benchmark is dealt with in just 6.7 seconds.
Certainly, there are faster hot hatches on sale, but rather like the Italian football team, drama is omnipresent – it’s just that the Abarth isn’t prone to feigning injury and rolling around on the grass.
What this means for you
There’s no official word yet on how much the 695 Esseesse will cost when order books open in the third quarter of 2021, but don’t expect it to be much different to the £30,785 required to put today’s bewinged Anniversario model on the road.
Yes, the rear seats and boot are cramped, the handling is likely to lack the finesse of better hot hatch rivals and it’s still a considerable chunk more expensive than the simply excellent Ford Fiesta ST, but if you’re looking at a limited Abarth, these things aren’t likely to matter too much anyway.
Instead you’ll be in command of a rebellious little rocket that won’t quit putting a smile on your face – and how can you put a price on that?
Forza Abarth.
Parkers will be among the first to drive the Abarth 695 Esseesse, so keep this page bookmarked for the latest news and views.
Further reading
>> We look at the best cars on sale in 2021
>> Looking for a city car? These are our favourites
>> Find out how much your car is worth with Parkers
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