I’m old enough to remember the thrill of the original hot hatches – The Toyota MR2, Golf GTI, and my personal favourite the Honda CRX amongst others.

These were days when driving was FUN!

Not like the boring electrical appliances of today.

The hot hatch – any true car enthusiast will feel the nostalgia just hearing those words. In the 80s and 90s, hot hatches RULED the streets! They weren’t just cars, they were experiences. They turned daily commutes into thrills, weekend drives into adventures, and brought us together into real enthusiast communities.

Fast-forward to today, and it’s the Abarth lineup – specifically the 500, 595, and 695 – that’s filling those shoes and then some. They even look like shoes, just nifty turbo-charged shoes oozing torque and waking up the neighbours with a really sexy exhaust note.

I never thought I would recommend a nasty unreliable Fiat as we used to refer to them a few decades ago. The Abarth range has broken that mold, and filled the void most other car manufacturers have left in a dank dusty corner.

Let’s cover all things Abarth:

Who Makes Abarth Cars?

Abarth may have Fiat’s DNA, but make no mistake – they aren’t your ordinary Fiat. In fact, they couldn’t be more different from the snail slow fashion accessories loved by younger style-conscious ladies.

Abarth, under the wing of Fiat, is all about injecting sheer drivability into small and otherwise boring shoe-like Italian shopping trolleys.

In essence, Abarth cars are born out of Italian performance spirit, and yes, they’re crafted in Turin, Italy, right next to their Fiat relatives. Having spent a great deal of time in Italy myself, I can truly appreciate the passion Italians have for cars such as this, or cars such as Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini.

If you’ve ever watched the Italian Grand Prix in Monza (aka “The Temple of Speed”) you’ll know the Tifosi, the die hard Ferrari F1 fans, are some of the most passionate fans in the world.

When you drive an Abarth, which is basically a shoe impersonating a Lamborghini, you’ll feel that passion with every rev and exhaust pop.

The Abarth 500, 595, and 695: Back to Basics in All the Right Ways

Get behind the wheel of an Abarth 500, 595, or 695, and you’re instantly transported back to a time when driving was simple and exhilarating.

The handling is sharp, the exhaust pops and crackles, and the turbo engine roars, giving you that feel of raw power. Yes, they’re as bumpy as a ride-on lawnmower, but as an enthusiast you’ll appreciate how connected you are with the road. You see, the Abarth isn’t about luxury, it’s about bags of fun around town.

For city driving in Australia, the Abarth are an absolute match. You can squeeze into spots Toyota Landcruisers can only dream of.

And if you’re looking to stand out, special editions like the 695 Tributo Ferrari pay homage to Italian motoring greatness. Only 1,695 of these Ferrari-inspired Abarths were ever produced, a testament to their collector status and rarity. The downside is special editions can cost you a pretty buck, but they’re cool as f*ck.

What’s The Deal With The Scorpion Badge?

For those who’ve set eyes on the 2024 black and gold 75th anniversary edition Abarth 695, you may’ve noted the giant scorpion logo on the roof. You’ll also find it on many of the special edition decals. So what’s the deal with that?

Abarth’s scorpion logo is a nod to founder Carlo Abarth’s zodiac sign, and there’s something unmistakably cool about it. But beyond symbolism, it represents an attitude – a car that’s small but not to be underestimated, packing way more punch than most other cars on Aussie roads.

A Hint of Heritage: Abarth Collaborations

Abarth’s collaboration with Ferrari on the 695 Tributo isn’t the only time they’ve linked up with Italian legends. Abarth has also partnered with Maserati, producing one-off editions that echo Maserati’s luxury style in Abarth’s compact, feisty frame.

These collaborations showcase just how versatile and highly regarded the Abarth brand has become, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Italy’s best.

Honestly, no other car boasts so many special editions, but that makes them so much cooler, right?

Given how limited production runs are of these cars, investing in a special edition will give you a very unique piece of history for many years to come.

More so give 2024 marks the last of the Abarth petrol cars. Move over thrilling petrol cars for fridges-on-wheels.

Hold on, on that note, we should cover the Abarth 500e…

The Abarth 500e: A Boring Electrical Appliance?

Yes, there’s an electric Abarth 500e for those of you who prefer the quiet hum of an EV.

It’s a more solid option than you may think – quick, efficient, and still insane fun despite being eerily quiet. The 500e has been one of the few electric cars which has made me think “Oh, perhaps I might give up decades of petrolheadism for an electric car like that.”

But still, for me, right now, it’s still all about the heart-pounding, rev-filled experience of a true hot hatch like the turbocharged Abarth 500, 595, and 695.

How Much is a Fiat Abarth in Australia?

If you’re tempted, you’ll be pleased to know that an Abarth 595 can start around the $30,000 AUD mark.

However, special editions and extras can rack up the price to a whole different level if you’re after something even more unique.

Bringing Back the Fun

In a world of ever-larger, more tech-packed vehicles, Abarth has brought back the soul of the hot hatch, giving us the fun, agility, and thrill we’ve all missed.

“It’s not about big screens or autonomous driving; it’s about being fully engaged, feeling the road, and taking joy in the drive.”

The Abarth 500, 595, and 695 aren’t just cars; they’re a throwback to when driving was fun, a reminder of why we fell in love with cars in the first place.

What do you think?