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Abarth and Ferrari tweaked Bambino!


Abarth and Ferrari tweaked Bambino!

Author: Isaac BoberDate: 26 May 2011

The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, an ultra high-octane version of Abarth’s already hot Bambino, has arrived in Australia offering a 225km/h top speed and the ability to dispatch the race to 100km/h in less time than it takes to read this sentence (less than 7secs).

Built as a tribute to the historic performance links between Ferrari and Abarth, the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari pays homage to the 1953 Ferrari 166/250 MM Abarth. This car raced in various international trophies including the legendary Mille Miglia.

The tie between the two companies has been reinforced by the fact that Abarth has designed exhaust systems specifically for the cars built at Maranello.

The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari allows Abarth to expand its range into the luxury sports car segment, and also affords Ferrari customers a small, high-performance car for pottering about town.

The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is distinguished by both stylistic features, and by tweaks to the engine and running gear by Abarth and Ferrari engineers. The engine is a 1.4-litre Turbo T-Jet 16v, tuned to develop more than 132kW. Mated to this is a MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) electromechanical gearbox with race-inspired steering wheel controls that enhances engine’s performance by reducing gearshift times.

To improve acceleration, the car is fitted with performance tyres on 17-inch alloy wheels featuring a design inspired by Ferrari wheels. Ride and braking systems have also been strengthened to cope with the extra power: modular Brembo 305mm disc brakes with fixed four-piston calliper. For extra snap, crackle and pop there is a “Record Monza” variable back pressure “dual mode” exhaust, designed to improve engine performance and deliver more noise, or music, above 3000rpm.

On the outside, the car is finished not just in classic Modena Red, but also in the brand-new shade of Modena Yellow, with carbon-fibre door mirrors and B-pillar trims. Details such as the wheels and front air intakes are in Racing Grey. This new Abarth is equipped with Xenon headlights with dipped and main beam functions for improved light emission and excellent efficiency under all weather conditions.

The interior is also highly detailed. “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” carbon-fibre racing seats are fitted and finished in black leather and Alcantara with a shell and seat base in carbon-fibre. These seats offer a perfect blend of racing characteristics – light weight (10kg less than the standard seat) and the ability to hold the body steady against lateral and longitudinal forces, thanks to body support elements filled with crush-resistant foam – while the ergonomics and comfort of road seats, allegedly anyway.

The black leather steering wheel is offset by red stitches and a tri-colour hub on which the MTA gearshift paddles are mounted, while the instrument panel is specially made by Jaeger, and inspired by typical Ferrari instrumentation. Carbon fibre is used right across the dashboard and around the controls for the MTA gearbox. Attention to detail has also been given to the aluminium racing pedals, which feature the Scorpion logo, as is the aluminium kick plate in the passenger footwell. The interior is embellished with other details too, like the special kick plate passenger footwell, doorsill trim and a plate bearing the vehicle series number.

The Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" comes with a special pack to keep it safe and clean. The safety pack includes a dedicated travel bag with an emergency triangle, work gloves, emergency lights, and an Abarth yellow safety vest. The cleaning kit includes Abarth Leather Cleaning Fluid, Abarth Body Wax and Abarth Interior Cleaning fluid. The Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" even comes with its own personalised car cover.

 The Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" is available in Australia with a recommended retail price of $69,990 excluding statutory charges, delivery and dealer costs.

“With its size, performance and features, there really is no other car on the market like the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari,” says Andrei Zaitzev, General Manager for Abarth in Australia. “Therefore, it should come as no surprise to learn that it is available in strictly limited numbers.”

 

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