Abarth 500 / 595 / 695 History
The modern Scorpion — a turbocharged hot Fiat 500 in 500, 595, and 695 forms that made Abarth a genuine volume performance brand again.
Photo: “Abarth - London, UK - DSC05171” by Daderot / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Start with a make and model. Add a year where a detailed guide is available.
Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
Browse this model's history and yearsHistory
Unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show one year after the revival of the Fiat 500 nameplate, the Abarth 500 applied a turbocharged 1.4-litre FIRE 16-valve engine to the retro-styled city car, producing 135 hp in base form. The recipe was instantly recognisable as a spiritual successor to the original Fiat-Abarth 595 of the 1960s: small car, tuned engine, Scorpion badge.
The 595 and 695 badges extended the turbocharged range. For the 2014 695 Biposto, Abarth quoted a 190-hp 1.4 T-Jet engine and a weight of 997 kg. Its optional dog-ring gearbox retained an H-pattern selector; it was an alternative to the standard five-speed manual, not a sequential transmission. The 2015 Biposto Record edition commemorated Carlo Abarth's 1965 Monza acceleration records over a quarter-mile and 500 metres, rather than a Nürburgring lap record.
A convertible cabriolet joined the hatchback body style, and the car gained successive updates in 2012 and 2018. By the late 2010s the 595 and 695 were effectively the entire Abarth road-car lineup in Europe, and the brand held a rare niche as a mainstream manufacturer selling only hot versions of one platform.
Research sources
These sources support the specific facts and document scopes identified on this page. They do not establish a complete year, configuration or ownership record. Read each source within its stated model and market.
Generations
First generation · Abarth 500 / 595 / 695 (312 platform)
Photo: “Abarth - London, UK - DSC05171” by Daderot / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
The original turbocharged Fiat 500-based range — 135 hp base 500 through to the 180+ hp 695 Biposto extremes.
2010 Photo: “2010 Abarth 595” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2016 Photo: “Abarth 595 (2016) (52025118147)” by Charles from Port Chester, New York / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2017 Photo: “2017 Abarth 595 Trofeo 1.4 Front” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- 3-door hatchback
- Convertible (cabriolet)
Notable special editions & performance variants
695 Tributo Ferrari
A 695 collaboration with Ferrari Gestione Sportiva — Scuderia Ferrari red paint, 180 hp, and carbon-fibre details; limited production.
695 Biposto
A two-seat, turbocharged 1.4 T-Jet road car rated at 190 hp and 997 kg by Abarth. An optional H-pattern dog-ring gearbox was offered alongside the standard five-speed manual.
595 Yamaha Factory Racing
A limited-edition 595 in Yamaha MotoGP livery, celebrating Abarth's role as official car of the Yamaha Factory Racing team.
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Abarth 500 / 595 / 695
Search Amazon across available years, colors, and scales. Exact releases vary, so confirm the listing before ordering.