Abarth 695

The Abarth 695 has a driver-centered cabin design.

The design is a mix of retro Fiat 500 and performance based upgrades, which results in a unique interior-feel.

Interior Highlights

• Sport seats with Alcantara or leather are available.
• Flat-bottom steering wheel
• Aluminum pedals
• Compact dashboard layout
• Abarth branding throughout

The quality of materials is average, but not high. It is obviously more functional and sporty, as opposed to luxury.

Technology & Infotainment

Abarth 695 has the basic technology features, yet the purpose is not to match the modern tech heavy cars.

Technology Features

• Touchscreen infotainment system
• CarPlay and Android Auto by Apple and Google respectively
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Digital driver display

These features can be used in the day to day life, but the system may feel behind the times with newer competitors.

Nevertheless, due to the performance-oriented character of the car, technology is not its major concern.

The Abarth 695 still has the classic shape of the Fiat 500, but it is turned into a much more aggressive and functional one. The design is small, yet all details speak of performance.

The car has a bold Abarth grille at the front with large air intakes, which allow it to cool better and underline its sportiness. The circular headlights are another classic feature; however, they are combined with the latest LED lights that improve visibility and beauty.

Key Exterior Highlights

• Road rage front bumper with exaggerated air inlets
• Abarth Scorpion badges with signature
• Diffuser and sporty side skirts
• Dual exhaust system with high-profile outlets
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Available convertible (Cabrio) model
• Comes in 8 exterior colours: Abarth Red Pastel, Gara White Pastel, Scorpione Black Mettalic, Record Grey Metallic, Record Grey with black roof, Campovolo Grey, Gara White, and Abarth Red with Black roof. 

The 695 is a very small car, only 3657 mm in length, but it has a big personality and presence on the road. 

It is small in size, and it is suitable for:

• Urban driving
• Tight parking spaces
• Navigating congested areas

Meanwhile, the sporty design makes it never become part of the background.

Dimensions & Practicality

While the Abarth 695 is designed primarily for performance, it still offers basic practicality for everyday use.

Dimensions Overview

Its small size is among its greatest city driving benefits, but also has drawbacks:

• Rear seats are best suited for short city trips only.
• Boot space is also limited compared to larger hatchbacks.

This makes the 695 to be more appropriate to individual drivers or couples than families.

Abarth 695 is a car that prioritises more emotion and interaction than comfort.

Driving Characteristics

• Fast acceleration owing to a light body
• Sharp steering response
• Firm suspension tuning
• Strong braking performance

It is highly agile due to the compact size and low weight of the car. It feels at home on:

• Twisty roads
• Urban streets
• Short spirited drives

The ride quality is, however, somewhat firm. It is an intentional compromise to maximize handling at the expense of rough roads, another typical performance compromise in high-performance cars. 

Another point of interest is the exhaust note. Abarth is characterized by a peculiar, aggressive exhaust, which contributes to the driving thrill.

Ride Comfort & Everyday Usability

Although the Abarth 695 is a good performing car, it is not that concerned about comfort.

Comfort Overview

• Firm suspension puts much emphasis on handling
• Limited rear-seat space
• Low noise insulation when compared to luxury cars

With such compromises, the car can be used in everyday driving particularly to those who appreciate performance more than comfort.

The firm suspension will not be as much of a concern as it would be in other areas, given that roads are usually smooth in the UAE.

The main feature of the Abarth 695 is its performance. There is a 1.4-litre turbocharged T-Jet under the hood, which is powerful considering the small size of the car.

Engine Specifications

These figures, in the case of a lightweight hatchback, translate to acceleration that is incredibly quick and a performance that is strong in the mid-range.

The turbocharged engine provides:

• Fast throttle reaction
• Strong pull in lower gears
• Engaging driving dynamics

The 695 is fast, agile, and jocular, particularly in the urban environment, in the real world conditions in the UAE.

Abarth 695 has a niche position in the UAE market. It is not intended to be popular but instead is aimed at fans.

Ownership Advantages

• Exceptional design and exclusivity
• Good performance in a small size
• Flexibility in cities

Considerations

• Limited practicality
• Expenses of maintenance are higher than in the normal hatchbacks
• Smaller service network compared to mainstream brands

Pros & Cons

Strengths

• Powerful 1.4L turbo engine (180 hp)
• Agile handling and fun driving processes
• Unique and iconic design
• Small size suitable for driving around the city
• Strong exhaust character

Limitations

• Poor practicality and rear room
• Firm ride quality
• Basic infotainment system
• Lacks enhanced safety provisions

Abarth 695 is not a car that suits anybody- and this is its mark of attraction.

It is an automobile that is designed by car drivers who appreciate:

• Driving excitement
• Distinctive design
• Compact performance

The 695 represents a breath of fresh air in a market where large SUVs and comfort oriented cars dominate and the 695 is providing people with a pure, fun, experience of car driving in a small, characterful package.

The Abarth 695 can be the second car that offers a lot of fun to the UAE buyers, a performance hatch in the city setting, or just an unusual model that cannot be equated with many cars in its category.

Overall Rating (UAE Context): 8.2 / 10

It is not necessarily the most practical and comfortable car, but it does what it was designed to do, which is to provide pure driving fun with Italian flair.