Abarth sets a new sales record in 2018 and is celebrating its seventieth year in 2019 with the launch of the new "70th Anniversary" range
Transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary to offer the best products in the small sports car segment. This is the mission of the brand with the scorpion badge, that has always been the byword for performance and iconic Italian style and that last year set a new sales record in Europe.
"With nearly 23,500 cars sold in Europe and a 36.5% growth, Abarth set its best sales record last year",
said Luca Napolitano, Head of Fiat and Abarth brand EMEA.
"Results were excellent on many markets, like the UK, where more than 5,600 cars were sold with a 26.8% growth which is a new sales record in its own right and in Spain with 1,450 cars and a 26.6% growth. I am very proud of these results that demonstrate the internationality and appeal of the brand outside Italy and confirms that we have a range that perfectly meets the requirements of an ever-wider target".
To celebrate the sales record, Abarth will be offering a selection of exciting Mopar accessories at a special price to all European customers who bought a car in 2018 to customise their ride. More in detail, Abarth 595 owners will be offered 20% off the price of the exclusive carbon fibre kick plate, while Abarth 124 spider and Abarth 124 GT customers can order a transversal strut bar with a special price reduced by 30%. The promotion will run from February 1 to June 30, 2019*.
Together with record sales, the legendary racing brand is celebrating its 70th year of life, always under the banner of performance and style on everyday streets and on the toughest racing courses alike.
"The past year was record-breaking also in sports",
continued Luca Napolitano.
"The Abarth 124 rally, in its second racing season, established itself as the dominator of the R-GT class, scoring more than 40 class victories in 12 national championships and winning the European R-GT championship and the FIA R-GT World Cup. Great results like these mean we will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of Abarth in the coming year with pride".
To celebrate these records and the anniversary in a worthy manner, here are the new Abarth "70th Anniversary" versions of the Abarth 595, the Abarth 124 spider and the Abarth 124 GT. A celebratory "70th Anniversary" badge developed for the purpose will be sported on all cars registered in 2019 making them unique and exclusive. The news was presented at the 87th edition of the Monte Carlo Rally, the most famous and time-honoured rally in the world. The cars with the scorpion badge have been the leaders in Monte Carlo, like Walter Röhrl's memorable victory in 1980 at the wheel of a 131 Abarth Rally.
Not by chance, competitions have always been an essential element in the history and actuality of Abarth. The racing and rally worlds are tough proving grounds where all the innovative technological solutions are tested in the most adverse conditions before being transferred to street-legal Abarth models, to provide the best in terms of performance, safety and reliability. Very few manufacturers can boast this prerogative.
* The promotion is market-specific.
New range Abarth 595 - performance and style for the 70th Anniversary
The new 595 range is immediately recognisable by the "70th Anniversary" badge and represents the evolution of the icon of the brand expressed by different power levels, from 145 to 180 HP and Euro 6D-Temp engines, which respond to the needs of each customer. The Competizione and Turismo versions of the range express the two souls of Abarth - performance the first and style the second. The high-performing 595 Competizione with its 180 HP is engineered for the fans of sporty performance and unadulterated racing attitude. Today, for the "70th Anniversary", the 595 Competizione comes with the innovative Uconnect with touchscreen 7" HD with Abarth Telemetry, which is Apple CarPlay ready and Android AutoTM* compatible, as standard. Other characterising standard equipment includes braking system by Brembo, Sabelt racing seats and Record Monza exhaust with an active valve controlled by a "Sport" button. Pressing the Sport button opens the exhaust valve and the engine rumble becomes deeper and bolder. The driver can choose a "gentleman driver" engine sound or a tougher, sportier - and more traditionally Abarth - roar.
Abarth 595 Turismo is designed for motorists who consider comfort essential even in a high-performance car capable of unleashing 165 HP. One of the new contents of the "70th Anniversary" is the adoption of Uconnect 7" HD with the sat-nav for greater comfort of travel, which is Apple CarPlay ready and Android AutoTM compatible, as standard. Inside, the meticulously finished Abarth leather upholstery is a perfect match for the elegant style of the Turismo. All enhanced by the Urban Pack, which comprises parking sensors, rain sensor and dusk sensor: equipment intended to make everyday driving easier and less stressful.
The line-up continues with the 595 version, that with its 145 HP of power is the Abarth entry-level model and offers all the standard equipment needed to ensure the typical enjoyment and driving pleasure expected from the brand with the scorpion badge, like the flat-bottom steering wheel with crosshairs insert. Completing the range is the performance-driven 595 Pista packed with 7" Abarth Telemetry to constantly monitor ratings, new Record Monza exhaust and Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) rear suspensions for even better road-holding, handling and stability in total safety.
