New limited-edition Abarth 695 Esseesse hot hatchback launched

This is the new Abarth 695 Esseesse. It’s a limited-edition version of the Italian brand’s compact hot hatchback which, thanks to some lightweight panels and some extra aero, is now the fastest model in the company’s line-up.

Production will be limited to just 1,390 examples, with 695 units coming in Scorpion black and 695 in Campovolo grey. Prices are yet to be confirmed but, like the 695 70th Anniversario, we’re expecting it to cost in excess of £30,000.

Tweaks include white 17-inch alloys, uprated Koni FSD shock absorbers, red Brembo brake calipers and exclusive white detailing for the front splitter and rear diffuser. There’s also an Akrapovic exhaust system and a new aluminium bonnet, which save 10kg over the standard Abarth 595 Competizione.

The Abarth 695 Esseesse also features the same manually adjustable tailgate spoiler we first saw on the 695 70th Anniversario. Buyers can alter the wing’s angle of attack from zero to 60 degrees, with the most aggressive setting offering an extra 42kg of downforce.

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It’s powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 178bhp and 250Nm of torque. Thanks to the wright reduction the car will sprint from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 140mph with the wing angle set to zero degrees. Every example will also come with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Abarth’s exclusive styling touches continue inside with a pair of Sabelt bucket seats, with embroidered “one of 695” monograms on the headrests. The gear knob has also been swapped for a carbon fibre replacement, while the dashboard is trimmed in Alcantara and features a laser-cut “695 Esseesse” badge on the passenger side.

Abarth says the new 695 Esseesse was inspired by the 1964 model of the same name, which was fitted with a package of tuning parts designed by Carlo Abarth. Like its latest grandchild, it was also a limited-edition model, with just 1,000 examples built.

The classic 695 Esseesse had a slightly larger displacement engine than the standard Fiat 500, at 690cc. It produced 37bhp and allowed the dinky city car to hit a top speed of 87mph. Straight-line speed was never the focus for the original 695, though. Instead, the upgrades were designed to make the car more fun to drive (and more usable) on everyday roads.

Along with the peppier engine, the original featured flared arches, wider wheels, dedicated badges and an engine cover which was permanently fixed open to provide extra cooling.

Now read our review of the hardcore Abarth 695 Biposto. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…