On the 7th of October, winding down across Sicily was this years classic re-enactment of the iconic Targa Florio; one of the world’s oldest motorsport races. Yet whilst this event is special for a great many number of reasons, there is perhaps one which stands out. Abarth – celebrating their historic ties with the Targa Florio – chose the event as the place to debut the new 595 range. Very special indeed.
Abarth promise to deliver with the new 595 range what they always have striven to deliver; aspects of Abarth’s which essentially form their cornerstone: style and performance. Looking at the new models, it is clear to see that the brand have delivered on their promises.
The Targa Florio and Abarth – A History of Success
Luca Napolitano explains the special relationship between Abarth and the Targa Florio, which began with close association between Karl Abarth and the event:
Sicily’s winding roads seemed to be tailor-made for showing off his racing cars’ qualities. So the Scorpion and the Targa share a close bond and a history of racing successes and memorable anecdotes. After all, anyone admiring these historic cars that won Abarth its status as a racing legend will easily appreciate how, over the years, the tough testing ground of racing has shaped the priceless heritage that has given us the cars of today. Our participation at the 2018 event is a tribute to the 110th anniversary of our founder’s birth, as well as the ideal opportunity for the debut of the new Abarth 595 range, underlining the link to our history and racing which is part of our brand’s values.
From Caning a Circuit to Driving to the Shops – the 595 Has Fingers in Both Pies
Napolitano is at pains to remind us of the brand’s rich history in the motorsport tradition, yet this is not to look back to times foregone through rose-tinted spectacles. Rather, the emphasis on the tradition of impressive performance on the track serves as a reminder that this ‘performance, safety and reliability’ on the circuit is transmuted into the use of the car everyday.
If one were to boast about the success of Abarth through the ages, however; there would be no shortage of successes to use for ammunition. Since 1978, when the Targa Florio was converted into a rally from a speed race, Abarth have recorded numerous victories. Two such victories came the following two years after the race’s conversion, in the Abarth 131 Rally.
The New 595 Range
Abarth again seek to express the two dual entities to their personality as a brand: style and performance; and it is with the new Competizione and Turismo that they do so. Two new colours have been introduced into the range, also. The 595 Competiozione and Trofeo come in an eye-catching ‘Adrenaline Green’, whilst the Turismo comes in Asphalt Grey. An exciting feature, which comes as standard on the 595 Competizione and Trofeo, is the new Record Monza Active exhaust. A Sport button controls a valve in the exhaust, and when pressed the engine noise becomes much deeper and more pronounced; giving the driver the choice between a more humble sound or a terrifying roar.
