With COVID-19 putting a stop to many people’s plans in 2020, as restrictions begin to be eased in the UK, many of us are now able to start getting out and about again.
And with a mass of uncertainty over foreign holidays, plenty will be choosing to stay within the UK this summer. If that’s you, it’s time to think about getting behind the wheel of a car you can enjoy using.
You can choose sports cars and supercars for that, but a more affordable option is to go down the hot hatch route, so here’s why we reckon the Abarth 595 is a perfect post-lockdown hot hatch.
It’s a huge amount of fun to drive
To be frank, one thing that the last few months haven’t been for many of us is fun. But as a slight element of normality begins to return and you can have a bit more freedom again, a car that you can enjoy to drive is an absolute must.
So while the Abarth 595 might not have all the fancy performance gubbins of more modern hatches, few can deliver the thrills that this car can. It handles brilliantly and is sharp to drive, and unlike supercars, you can have fun in it without being reckless. What’s more, versions further up the range are available with sports exhaust systems, which add additional drama and fun to this already-characterful hot hatch.
Great performance
Given the Abarth 595 is based on the Fiat 500, it’s no surprise to learn that this is a small and lightweight car. That pays dividends when it comes to performance.
All versions utilise a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine, which is available in various outputs (depending on trim) – including 143bhp, 163bhp and 177bhp in top-spec models. Even the entry-level 595 can sprint to 60mph in 7.6 seconds, while the most powerful versions can do it in just 6.5 seconds.
It’s one of the cheapest hot hatches available
The coronavirus pandemic has taken a big financial toll on many of us, and a new car will likely be one of the last things on your mind.
However, a fun new car doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think – as the Abarth 595 shows. With prices starting from just £17,310, this Abarth is the most affordable new hot hatch on sale. It doesn’t scrimp on kit, though, as versions come as standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, a touchscreen and sports seats.
It’s also great value for money if you finance it, too, and it’s currently available from just £189 per month over a four-year agreement, along with an upfront payment of £3,024.
What’s more, those small engines make this Abarth one of the most affordable hot hatches to run – returning a claimed fuel economy figure of 40mpg, along with lower insurance groups than the majority of hot hatches.
Convertible option available
To add to the Abarth 595’s appeal, you can also choose it as a convertible option alongside the regular three-door hatchback.
While it’s not a full-blown drop-top, it has an electrically retractable canvas roof that folds down and sits on the boot lid, and it means you can enjoy the summer even more thanks to the top-down thrills.
Huge amount of personalisation
Another great thing about the Abarth 595 is the way it looks, which successfully brings sporty and aggressive styling to the Fiat 500 design.
But alongside the standard cool styling of it, there’s a huge amount of personalisation options available. From bright colours to two-tone styling, adding stripes, different-coloured upholsteries, you can essentially configure a 595 exactly as you wish, and it’s another way of injecting some extra fun into your life.
Enquire on an Abarth 595
