We may have missed out on the 695 Esseesse, but there’s another special Abarth coming to Australia: the 595 Scorpioneoro.
It’s another souped-up Fiat 500 with an Italian name that’s a bit tricky to spell, and it’s in dealerships now.
Australia is getting just 30 units out of a global production run of 2000 vehicles.
It’s priced at $31,450 before on-road costs with the standard five-speed manual transmission or $33,660 before on-roads with the optional Dualogic semi-automatic.
It differs from the standard 595 and the more powerful 595 Competizione by offering a version of the turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine with 121kW of power and 230Nm of torque.
With the standard manual, it can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds.
That’s in contrast with the 107kW/206Nm and 132kW/250Nm outputs of its counterparts, which hit 100km/h in 7.8 and 6.7 seconds, respectively, when equipped with a manual.
Over the other 595 models, the Scorpioneoro also picks up a standard Beats sound system.
Instead of harking back to an Abarth based on the original Fiat 500, it pays homage to the 1979 Abarth A112 Gold Ring special edition, a considerably rarer model (just 150 units produced) based on the Autobianchi A112.
Like that car, there’s a black-and-gold colour palette on the Scorpioneoro – that makes sense, as the name translates to “golden scorpion”.
The dark paint and matte black chequered flag roof are contrasted with extensive gold accents. These include the scorpion emblem on the bonnet, the 17-inch alloy wheels, pinstriping that encircles the vehicle, and the scorpion badges.
It also features tinted rear and side windows and a ‘Tar Cold Gray’ finish on the door handles, mirror caps and bumpers.
There’s much less gold inside, with a rather coal-black interior instead. There are new leather sport seats with Italian flags embroidered on the headrest, plus matte black details on the dashboard.
There’s a flash of gold on the numbered plate located on the centre console.
The Scorpioneoro is rather different for an Abarth special edition in that it’s looking to the late 1970s for inspiration.
Black-and-gold cars were hugely popular at the time of the A112 Gold Ring – just look at The Bandit’s Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, or the Datsun 280ZX 10th Anniversary Black Gold.
Specification highlights
- 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- DAB digital radio
- Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Beats sound system
- Automatic climate control
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Rear parking sensors
- Aluminium shift knob
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
- Driver’s knee airbag
Pricing
- 2021 Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro manual: $31,450
- 2021 Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro Dualogic: $33,660
All prices exclude on-road costs.
MORE: Everything Abarth 595
