Heels & Horsepower Magazine

SA’s latest hot hatch, the Fiat Abarth 595, just got a new sting

Written by H&H Admin

South Africa’s hottest hatch has been refreshed, updated, and is more exciting than ever with the addition of a special edition model.

The Abarth 595 range features new interiors, new colours, and new details for the Abarth 595 Turismo and Competizione hatch and cabriolet models with an exciting new Abarth Yamaha Monster special edition.

Distinctive but accessible, the Abarth 595 offers as standard all the equipment needed to guarantee the fun and driving enjoyment associated with Abarth, including a flat-bottomed steering wheel, updated instrument panel and the pressure gauge now lit in white to ensure better legibility, while polyelliptical headlights and LED daytime running lights are fitted as standard on the Competizione.

Sport’ mode has been renamed ‘Scorpion’ mode throughout the new range aligning it with the Abarth logo and in recognition of the brand’s founder, Carlo Abarth.

Pressing the button on the dashboard alters peak torque delivery, power steering calibration and engine response to the accelerator pedal, making them sharper and increasing driver engagement.

The 595 is also equipped with a high-performance braking system specific to Abarth, providing maximum safety courtesy of the 284mm front ventilating discs and the 240mm rear discs.

The Abarth 595 Turismo features refreshed interiors, including exclusive diamond-embossed leather seats available in a number of colour options, including the new heritage brown.

Engines, transmission, mechanics

The new Abarth 595 range is equipped with the 1.4 T-jet engine, available in two output levels.

The 595 Turismo features 121kW, while the 595 Competizione enjoys a power rise to 132kW, providing the highest performance output in the Abarth range.  All variants of the 1.4 T-jet engine are paired with a five-speed manual transmission and both the Turismo and Competizione can be fitted on request with an Abarth robotised sequential transmission with shift paddles.

Abarth 595 Monster Energy Yamaha

The new Abarth 595 Monster Energy Yamaha special series is designed especially for young customers and motorsport fans, with a thrilling while exclusive product, as well as the ultra-high performance of any Abarth.

Produced in a limited edition of 2,000 units worldwide, the new special series celebrates the partnership between the two brands – a bond based on shared values: performance, racing, technology and fun.

On the inside, the model features the special new Abarth sports seats with blue finishes and the “Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP” logo on the head restraints. The blue lining stands out from the black dashboard. Thus mirroring the dual colour livery, while the numbered plate is placed on the central tunnel.

The Abarth 595 Monster Energy Yamaha is equipped with a 1.4 T-jet engine with Euro6B homologation, with manual transmission, but it can be fitted with an Abarth robotized sequential transmission with shift paddles on demand –  delivering 117 kW.

As standard, it includes a racecar inspired flat-bottom steering wheel and centering stripe on the top part of the steering wheel rim, particularly useful for sports car driving.

The “Sport” button controls the maximum torque delivery, power steering system calibration and throttle response, last but not least followed by the rumble of the Record Monza exhaust with active valve.

The braking system –  designed especially for Abarth –  provides maximum safety when decelerating via the 284mm front and 240mm rear ventilated discs. Also standard is the Koni rear suspension, with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology to increase road holding, handling and stability, making it a unique driving experience.

Abarth 595 Pricing
Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4L FWD 5MTR399,900
Abarth 595 Turismo Cab 1.4L FWD 5MTR439,900
Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4L FWD 5MTR479,900
Abarth 595 Competizione Cab 1.4L FWD 5MTR519,900
Abarth Yamaha Monster 1.4L FWD 5MTR469,900
Abarth Yamaha Monster Cabriolet 1.4L FWD 5MTR509,900

Get ready for the new VW Golf 8 GTI, coming to a dealership near you

The Golf 8 GTI, Volkswagen’s highly anticipated hot hatch is set to launch in the third quarter of this year.

The eighth generation Volkswagen Golf GTI will be launched in South Africa from the third quarter of 2021.

Volkswagen’s launch plans for the Golf 8 GTI include a digital South African premiere and countrywide customer events which will allow enthusiasts to be among the first to experience the new Golf GTI.

“The Volkswagen Group has been impacted by the global shortage of the semiconductor chips and all vehicles built on the MQB platform have been affected. For this reason, the launch of the Golf 8 GTI in South Africa will now move to the third quarter,” said Steffen Knapp, Head of the Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand.

“We are working closely with our German counterparts to ensure that we get as many Golf 8 GTI units for the local market as possible. A few Golf 8 GTI units started arriving in the country from mid-April. These units will be stockpiled until we have enough vehicles for the launch at the beginning of the third quarter,” added Knapp.

The Golf 8 GTI is Volkswagen’s highly anticipated vehicle launch this year. South Africa is one of the biggest Golf GTI markets outside of Europe. The Golf 7 GTI sold over 14 000 units since its launch in South Africa in July 2013. The Golf was also the best-selling model range in the A Hatch segment in South Africa last year with a 29.1% segment share.