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Abarth celebrates new sale record with a '70th Anniversary' range

Abarth sets a new sales record in 2018 and is celebrating its seventieth year in 2019 with the launch of the new "70th Anniversary" range

Transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary to offer the best products in the small sports car segment. This is the mission of the brand with the scorpion badge, that has always been the byword for performance and iconic Italian style and that last year set a new sales record in Europe.

A proud moment

"With nearly 23 500 cars sold in Europe and a 36.5% growth, Abarth set its best sales record last year", said Luca Napolitano, Head of Fiat and Abarth brand EMEA.

READ: Fiat celebrates two millionth 500 produced with 'Collezione' model

"Results were excellent on many markets, like the UK, where more than 5 600 cars were sold with a 26.8% growth which is a new sales record in its own right and in Spain with 1 450 cars and a 26.6% growth.

I am very proud of these results that demonstrate the internationality and appeal of the brand outside Italy and confirms that we have a range that perfectly meets the requirements of an ever-wider target".

To celebrate the sales record, Abarth will be offering a selection of exciting Mopar accessories at a special price to all European customers who bought a car in 2018 to customise their ride.

More in detail, Abarth 595 owners will be offered 20% off the price of the exclusive carbon fibre kick plate, while Abarth 124 spider and Abarth 124 GT customers can order a transversal strut bar with a special price reduced by 30%. The promotion will run from 1 February to 30 June 2019.

Together with record sales, the legendary racing brand is celebrating its 70th year of life, always under the banner of performance and style on everyday streets and on the toughest racing courses alike. "The past year was record-breaking also in sports", continued Luca Napolitano.

"The Abarth 124 rally, in its second racing season, established itself as the dominator of the R-GT class, scoring more than 40 class victories in 12 national championships and winning the European R-GT championship and the FIA R-GT World Cup. Great results like these mean we will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of Abarth in the coming year with pride".

Abarth 70th anniversary range

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To celebrate these records and the anniversary in a worthy manner, here are the new Abarth "70th Anniversary" versions of the Abarth 595, the Abarth 124 spider and the Abarth 124 GT.

A celebratory "70th Anniversary" badge developed for the purpose will be sported on all cars registered in 2019 making them unique and exclusive. The news was presented at the 87th edition of the Monte Carlo Rally, the most famous and time-honoured rally in the world.

The cars with the scorpion badge have been the leaders in Monte Carlo, like Walter Röhrl's memorable victory in 1980 at the wheel of a 131 Abarth Rally.

Not by chance, competitions have always been an essential element in the history and actuality of Abarth. The racing and rally worlds are tough proving grounds where all the innovative technological solutions are tested in the most adverse conditions before being transferred to street-legal Abarth models, to provide the best in terms of performance, safety and reliability. Very few manufacturers can boast this prerogative.

New Abarth 595 range

The new 595 range is immediately recognisable by the "70th Anniversary" badge and represents the evolution of the icon of the brand expressed by different power levels, from 108 to 134kW and Euro 6D-Temp engines, which respond to the needs of each customer.

The Competizione and Turismo versions of the range express the two souls of Abarth – performance the first and style the second. The high-performing 595 Competizione with its 134kW is engineered for the fans of sporty performance and unadulterated racing attitude.

Today, for the "70th Anniversary", the 595 Competizione comes with the innovative Uconnect with touchscreen 7" HD with Abarth Telemetry, which is Apple CarPlay ready and Android AutoTM compatible, as standard.

Other characterising standard equipment includes a braking system by Brembo, Sabelt racing seats and Record Monza exhaust with an active valve controlled by a "Sport" button.

Pressing the Sport button opens the exhaust valve and the engine rumble becomes deeper and bolder. The driver can choose a “gentleman driver” engine sound or a tougher, sportier – and more traditionally Abarth – roar.

Abarth 595 Turismo is designed for motorists who consider comfort essential even in a high-performance car capable of unleashing 123kW.

One of the new contents of the "70th Anniversary" is the adoption of Uconnect 7" HD with the sat-nav for greater comfort of travel, which is Apple CarPlay ready and Android AutoTM compatible, as standard.

Inside, the meticulously finished Abarth leather upholstery is a perfect match for the elegant style of the Turismo. All enhanced by the Urban Pack, which comprises parking sensors, rain sensor and dusk sensor: equipment intended to make everyday driving easier and less stressful.

The line-up continues with the 595 version, that with its 145 HP of power is the Abarth entry-level model and offers all the standard equipment needed to ensure the typical enjoyment and driving pleasure expected from the brand with the scorpion badge, like the flat-bottom steering wheel with crosshairs insert.

Completing the range is the performance-driven 595 Pista packed with 7" Abarth Telemetry to constantly monitor ratings, new Record Monza exhaust and Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) rear suspensions for even better road-holding, handling and stability in total safety.

The one-of-a-kind roadster

The "70th Anniversary" badge will also stand out on the livery of the Abarth 124 spider, the 124, the 124 Turismo and the 124 GT special edition versions.  With their special standard equipment, the two spiders were developed with the support of the Abarth Racing Team and each embodies the maximum driving pleasure and dynamism of a true roadster.

The mechanical self-locking differential, a true prerogative of sports cars, is standard on the Abarth 124 spider to enhance the dynamic qualities and the racing personality of the roadster with the scorpion badge.

The weight is concentrated between the axles and the engine is installed behind the front axle to guarantee optimal agility and superior driving feel. Fine mechanics and the use of special materials have lowered the weight to just 1 060kg, for a weight-to-power ratio of 6.2kg/HP.

Furthermore, the optimal weight distribution ensures a direct and exhilarating response. Under the bonnet is a powerful, reliable, 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with MultiAir technology. It delivers 126kW and 250Nm of torque.

It has a top speed of 232km/h and goes from 0 to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds. What is more, since engine sound is a fundamental element of all Abarth cars, standard equipment includes Record Monza exhaust with Dual Mode system that modifies the exhaust gas path according to pressure, guaranteeing linear torque and power delivery, while also generating a satisfying, deep roar.

The suspension features a high double wishbone layout on the front and a five-arm multi-link arrangement on the rear. The setup is calibrated to increase cornering and braking stability, while the power steering system has a specific sports calibration.

The Abarth 124 spider is also equipped with a host of advanced safety devices, both active and passive, including ABS with EBD (the latter distributes the brake force between front and rear axles to minimise braking distance and ensure the correct attitude in all load conditions) and ESC, for an optimal control of the car in all driving conditions, especially the most extreme.

Operation of the ESC can be reduced or switched off completely when driving on a racing track, to exploit the outstanding balance and the dynamic capabilities of the Abarth 124 spider to the max.

Luca Napolitano

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Inside, the car features leather seats which are supporting and very comfortable at the same time,  keeping the driver in the ideal position, as low and retracted as possible to be able to perceive all sideways movements of the car.

Furthermore, the controls are perfectly in keeping with the sporty set-up of the car: the position of the pedals, the vertical steering wheel and the short gear stick, make for an enthralling driving experience.

The dashboard features a large tachometer with red background arranged in a central position facing the driver and a keyless start system.

The package is completed by the excellent soundproofing provided by the noise-deadening windscreen and rear window and by the double-layer soft top, which can be opened and closed in a few seconds with one hand from the driving seat.

Finally, the colour palette features "Turini 1975 White" and "Costa Brava 1972 Red" pastels and metallized "San Marino 1972 Black", "Hessen 1972 Blue", and "Alpi Orientali 1974 Gray". The names were picked to evoke the rally racing wins of the brand.

Abarth 70th anniversary range

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The 70th Anniversary badge will also appear on the adrenaline-packed Abarth 124 GT special edition developed by the Abarth Racing Team, which combines the stylishness of a coupé and the dynamism of a roadster.

The Abarth 124 GT offers a special solution that is light and simple at the same time. The convenience of an easy-to-operate manual soft top is combined with the advantages of a lightweight hardtop, the first in its segment to be made entirely of carbon fibre.

The car packs plenty as standard and a host of exclusive contents, like 17" OZ Ultra-Light alloy rims, which are about three kilograms lighter than standard wheels and guarantee improved handling together with a refreshed, sportier design. Furthermore, the mirror caps sport a special gunmetal colour which matches the front spoiler.

Matte black bonnet treatment is available on demand, a clear reference to the classic Abarth 124 Rally, on which this solution was adopted to prevent glare to the driver's eyes. Carbon fibre front spoiler is also available on demand. The mirror caps can be either made of carbon fibre or red.

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