Abarth has given its little 595 pocket rocket an update with a fresh, facelifted appearance, some new kit and a slight power bump.
Following on from the ordinary Fiat 500 which was facelifted last summer, the high-performance version is available to buy now and priced between £15,090 and £22,290.
Under the bonnet, the base 595 now gets an extra 5bhp to bring maximum power up to 143bhp from the same 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine as it had before.
Mechanical limited-slip diff
The 595 Turismo gets a similar 5bhp boost up to 163bhp, while the range-topping Competizione, the most purist-friendly of the bunch, the most purist-oriented model in the range is left at 178bhp.
Although it doesn’t get any extra power, the Competizione does get new four-piston Brembo brakes for extra stopping power, plus Koni shocks on the rear suspension which the Turismo also gains.
Abarth has also equipped the Turismo with a mechanical limited-slip differential as an option to keep the front wheels from scrabbling under power and to improve cornering prowess.
New looks, extra equipment
The 595 also gets a revised exterior with a larger front end to channel more air into the intake and increase cooling capacity by as much as 18 per cent, while the rear gains a more pronounced diffuser.
A total of 15 different body colours are available for buyers to choose from, and Abarth also offers three optional packs to further customise the exterior with side stickers and contrasting mirror caps.
Inside, the 595 has gotten a full overhaul with carbon fibre and Alcantara detailing to reassert the car’s sporting character, along with a flat-bottomed steering wheel and a new instrument panel.
All versions are equipped with a five-inch Uconnect infotainment screen as standard, while a larger seven-inch version is also available and which comes with integrated performance telemetry.
The infotainment system also supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and buyers can also specify an optional seven-speaker Beats audio system.
