Heading into its fourth
season, the Abarth 500 "Trofeo" is getting an uprated
car with the key changes including extra power, a Sadev
sequential transmission and a weight reduction programme.
Designed for track racing, the new Abarth 695 "Assetto
Corse" conceptually depicts the continuity of the
historic 695 brand that came into being in 2009 with the
695 Tributo Ferrari special edition.
The car also appears as
the evolution of the Abarth 500 "Assetto Corse", the
"small and mean" protagonist of huge successes during
the past three years of single-make trophies. The Abarth
695 "Assetto Corse" is characterised by an aggressive
front with a badge bearing the Abarth logo and,
underneath, a broader bumper complete with aerodynamic
spoiler and screen-printed grilles instead of the
plastic masks of the standard version.
Under the bonnet, fitted
out with the usual classic bonnet clips in true racing
style, the 1368 cc turbocharged engine now delivers 205
hp of power, up by 5 hp from the outgoing 500 Assetto
Corse's already useful 200 hp. The rear of the car
features the usual winged spoiler, a badge bearing the
Abarth logo and a twin exhaust pipe.
The wheel assemblies
remain 17" light forged racing wheels with new floating,
perforated and self-ventilated front disc brakes and
perforated rear disc brakes, which with the help of a
new brake governor further increase performance on the
track.
The key innovation of
this new version is the Sadev sequential gearbox with a
specific ratio that when combined with a metal-ceramic
twin plate clutch reaches absolutely top performance in
its category.
On the inside the Abarth
695 "Assetto Corse" contains all of the safety equipment
required by FIA regulations, including a roll-bar welded
to the body that has been further optimised to improve
its torsional stiffness. To make it even lighter - the
car weighs about 30 kg less than the previous 500 "Assetto
Corse" - the doors have been lightened by using Lexan
for the side windows. The driver's zone, with specific
racing seat and steering wheel, and digital display
complete the Abarth 695 "Assetto Corse", which proves to
be a true competition car that is small but aggressive,
just like the 500 "Assetto Corse".
