The 595 represents the mid-point of the Abarth 500 range, being racier and more powerful than the regular 500s but less of either (and very much cheaper) than the thoroughly bonkers 695 Biposto.
Abarth 595s are available in Turismo and Competizione forms. When they were launched in 2012 they were mechanically identical, using a 158bhp version of the 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo petrol engine available throughout the range. In 2015, the output of the Competizione is being increased to 178bhp, nine short of the Biposto, while the Turismo stays as it is.
This increases the differentiation between two cars which already had separate characters despite their obvious similarities. The £18,090 Turismo has leather upholstery and automatic climate control air-conditioning, neither of them offered as standard on the more expensive Competizione, which however comes with cross-drilled brake discs and a special exhaust system.
The Turismo is therefore the more subdued and comfort-oriented of the two, but in its own right it's a very effective junior hot hatch, capable of 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 130mph. With a close-ratio six-speed gearbox it would be sportier still, but no Abarth 500 has more than five forward gears, and they're quite widely spaced.
If you had never driven or been a passenger in any hot hatch, you would probably think that riding in the 595 Turismo was an extreme experience, and possibly complain about the hard suspension and loud exhaust. You'd have a point, too, but in context the car is in fact surprisingly civilised.
Yes, the ride is very firm, but it isn't harsh. "Round-edged" is the term that comes to mind. Bumps are dealt with very quickly, but not so quickly that you sense a jarring effect. Similarly, while the exhaust note is inescapable, it doesn't give the impression that your eardrums are being attacked with screwdrivers.
There is just enough fluffiness to make the whole experience bearable. This is a hot hatch with few compromises, but still one you could drive for a long distance without experiencing sensory overload.
Buying one would be the result of deciding with your heart rather than your head. The combined fuel economy and CO2 figures, 43.5mpg and 150g/km, are easily beaten by the comparably priced and much faster Ford Fiesta ST, for a start. The slightly lumpen handling and the lack of height adjustment for the steering wheel are obvious black marks too.
However, like all 500s, whether with Abarth or Fiat badges, this one is far more than the sum of its parts, with an overall appeal which can make you forgive almost all its faults. It's far from being the best hot hatch on the market, but it puts a smile on your face in a way that few of its rivals can hope to.
