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2018 Abarth 695c Rivale Review

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With keys to the most recent Abarth creation, the Abarth 695c Rivale, we were ecstatic to visit board and present it a chance.

What’s the Abarth 695c Rivale about?

If there’s a contemporary premium performance subdivision that I reckon is heavily underrated, it’s probably Abarth. Although some may believe Abarth is past its prime, I believe they can still released some rather impressive Abarth-fettled Fiats.

And we’ve one particular example here, today. It dons the shell of the Fiat 500, however the numerous scorpion badging it bears all screams otherwise. Cue the Abarth 695c Rivale, could it be all bark no bite though?

As the moniker may suggest something particularly energetic, it actually denotes a collaborative effort between car manufacturer Abarth and yacht builder Riva. Having said that, aesthetics-wise, the liaison isn’t quite so apparent.

Of course, the two-tone monochromatic colour pallette is a classic in yachts, but you’ll need to look nearer to see marine-inspired decors in the 695c Rivale. The satin chrome vent-esque moulding is among these nautical-novelties Abarth has implemented.

Discussing the paint scheme, the Riva Blue and Grey livery is separated by an Aquamarine green-blue signifying the waterline. Paired with these 17″ Supersport Gloss Grey alloys, the 695c Rivale is fairly a svelte portrayal of a sporty Fiat 500.

Start the bonnet of the once tame Fiat 500, and you’ll look for a 1.4-litre T-Jet turbocharged inline-4 that outputs a mighty 178 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. Quite impressive figures for a paltry 1.4-litre, and it’s between the better variant of 695 you can purchase.

Delivering all that power is a straightforward 5-speed manual transmission that spins leading wheels. With this potent drivetrain, the Abarth 695c Rivale will manage 0-60mph in only 6.7 seconds, onto a high speed of 140 mph. Pretty good for a supposed luxury infused 500.

Being truly a highly strung turbocharged 4-cylinder though, it’ll muster 41.5 mpg despite the fact that it’s suited to a shoe-sized hatchback. It’ll also released 155 g/km of CO2, and for a little two-door hatch it’s nearly optimum.

The 695c Rivale must put up with an understandably limited options list, nonetheless it does come with the fundamentals you expect.

How does it drive?

It’s worth noting at this time that the Abarth 695c Rivale isn’t your everyday hot hatch. It might be yacht-inspired and tout a robust small engine, but it’s an extravagance convertible city car at its core.

It’s certainly wanting to log off the line in the event you need a swift takeoff. Moreover, it’ll get right up to speed quickly without a good hint of hesitation. Its effortless pace is laudable.

Having said that, it’s not the engine that encourages you to push harder, however the standard Akrapovic exhausts that’ll coax you into trouble. Somehow Abarth has were able to tune the engine to sound properly giggle-inducing. I’ll be lying easily said that it didn’t entice the teenager in me.

While it is a 2-door city car, it tips the scale at 1.07-tonnes, that is a considerable amount due to the fact the majority of its competitor’s slot in to the sub-tonne mark neatly. Having said that, you do have a folding roof that introduces a lot more of the exhaust note in to the cabin.

Hot hatches are likely to thrive on the B-roads, with the 695c Rivale, this is just what you get, except it really is within an even smaller footprint than normal.

Nevertheless, you also get yourself a car that is clearly a lifestyle cruiser designed to evoke a legendary yacht builder, the 695c Rivale is appropriate roaming around Monaco than it’s the Nurburgring. But it will surely be a lot of fun at either location.

Needlessly to say, the 695c Rivale’s main flaw is eminent once you take it around a corner. Losing a good roof means forfeiting vital structural rigidity, when you can’t notice on the highway, this may show as a problem on the track.

It still gets the keen nose and vigour a 500 has, except now you have bigger brakes and more power, making for a few rapid changes of direction when it’s needed.

Take it slower, and the Abarth 695c Rivale is fairly enjoyable to just rove around a lovely landscape at a reliable pace. Although it does sport Abarth-optimised suspension, it’s nearly as firm as what most might expect. It copes with undulations quite nicely, but it’s still a bit uncouth to certainly be a proper cruiser.

What is it truly like inside?

While it could be trickier to differentiate the 695c Rivale purely from its exterior styling, the yacht-inspired design is overt when you step within our particular 695c Rivale. Using its dark blue leather upholstered seats that comfortably accommodate passengers.

However, furthermore impressive though may be the attention to detail. Almost anything feels pleasant to touch, and nothing here bar the giant rotund instrument dials indicates that it’s a Fiat at its core. There’s also a Rivale plaque just behind the shifter. Start the roof and it feels airy and quite yacht-like.

At the centre of everything, you’ll look for a 7″ touchscreen infotainment system with satnav powering the Beats sound system that’s a £350 optional extra. Needlessly to say, the sound system is a tad on the bassy side, but it’s definitely powerful.

The carbon fibre dashboard insert with Riva inscription is another nice touch, but if you’re interested you can spare another £550 for a Mahogany wood dashboard that’ll change it into something that’s a lot more yacht-like.

Certainly, ergonomics-wise it feels nearly the same as a Fiat 500. Front passenger room is ample generally with a tall roofline and solid knee room. However, the trunk is less roomy, with a typical driving position it’ll nearly seat an adult. It must be fine for kids though.

Being truly a convertible city car, the boot capacity is expectedly mediocre. At 185-litres it’s nearly puny, however, not particularly cavernous either. However, it’ll store a little luggage bag just fine.

THE KNOWLEDGE

Driving the Abarth 695c Rivale was quite the odd experience, as everything inside lets you know that it’s said to be an extravagance vehicle to be studied slow. But put the roof down and the Akrapovic exhaust pleasantly drowns the cabin and the 695c Rivale makes swift pace.

It will be looks great though, and it appears like it belongs when parked at beside a Monaco port filled up with yachts.

THE PURCHASE PRICE

Of course, being truly a limited-production ‘hot hatchback’ that’s a collaborative effort between a particular performance vehicle maker and reduced yacht builder, the Abarth 695c Rivale commands quite the purchase price. Actually, ours with the soft top will be requesting over 25 grand.

Even the bottom model, starting at £23,380, will be a lot of money for a modest city car, but again, it probably doesn’t matter to the customers.

Verdict

The Abarth 695c Rivale is merely what the name describes. It’s an Abarth city car that’s constructed with chic style at heart, and it can its job well. This is a cool little car without doubt.

However, if what you’re expecting is a practical city runaround with occasional hot-hatch capabilities, you’ll need to look elsewhere as you will probably find this merely to small.

Specification

Abarth 695c Rivale Specs