Fiat 500 'Tributo Ferrari' is a little head-turner

by Steven Mostyn - Aug 6 2010, 05:08

If you had a spare 30,000 GBP burning a hole in your pocket, chances are you probably wouldn’t decide to spend it all on a tiny and fairly impractical road car. However, that’s exactly what Italian automobile maker Fiat hopes you’ll do after slapping eyes on its latest Fiat 500.

Meet the Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari. Yes, it’s extremely small. Yes, it’s highly impractical. But – and here’s the rub – it’s available in extremely limited quantities, the word Ferrari makes it highly desirable, and it’s something of a pocket rocket.

Granted, Fiat’s little special-edition offering will barely hold your weekly shopping, but closet Ferrari fans are unlikely to care as they enjoy the thrill of its 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is capable of squirting out an impressive 178bhp, has a top speed of 140mph, can rush from 0-62mph in seven seconds, and even promises fuel consumption of 43.3 miles to the gallon.

Other features packed into the Abarth 695 include a paddle controlled semi-automatic gearbox, enhanced steering and gear shifting via a snazzy ‘Sport’ button located on the dashboard, carbon fibre door mirrors, front air-intakes, and sexy alloy wheels.

Considering the performance, and that only 152 of the screaming red imps are available in the UK market, the asking price of 29,600 GBP suddenly doesn’t seem like such an affront.

That said, if the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari’s price tag is causing a queasy sensation in your gut, then perhaps consider the Fiat 500 Abarth Esseesse, which delivers 138bhp, a top speed of 131mph, and 0-62 acceleration in a solid 7.4 seconds – and all for 13,000 GBP less.

What price that Ferrari association?

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