What's the news?
Abarth, the performance arm of Fiat, has decided to unveil a limited edition of its 695 at the Salon QP exhibition of expensive watches in London.
The Abarth 695 Rivale, the result of a collaboration with luxury yacht-building company Riva, can be had as a hatchback or as a 500C-type convertible (175 of each will be made), and the exterior colour scheme is designed to make you think of the sea. So the trademark Riva two-tone Sera Blue and Shark Grey is bisected by an Aquamarine double-stripe that's supposed to evoke the thin line of the ocean on the horizon. Further details for this special include 17-inch Supersport alloys, which hide Brembo brakes with black callipers behind them, and satin chrome door and tailgate handles.
Inside, there's blue leather upholstery, an optional mahogany finish for the dashboard, steering wheel and gearlever, and an optional handwritten name plate fitted with the same screws as used on a Riva yacht. Of course. Buyers will also enjoy an exclusive instrument panel and the Uconnect seven-inch, high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Under the bonnet, the 1.4-liltre MultiAir turbocharged engine as used in other 595 and 695 Abarth models delivers 180hp, leading to a 6.7-second 0-100km/h sprint and a top speed of 224km/h. The 695 Rivale also has an Akrapovic exhaust system with carbon tailpipes, to make the most of the drivetrain's noise.
Sadly, as Fiat doesn't sell Abarths officially in Ireland, the only way of getting a 695 Rivale over here is to import one yourself at great cost...
Anything else?
Alongside the 695 Rivale at the Salon QP event was Abarth's 124 Spider, the 170hp, two-seater roadster getting some exposure to remind you that there's more to compact, rear-drive convertible life than the Mazda MX-5... even if the 124 is, obviously, very closely related to said Japanese sports car.