Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari in the UK

The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari will cost almost £30k in the UK

Fiat has announced the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari for the UK. Just 152 cars will be sold at an eye-watering £29,600

Last year we broke the news that Fiat were to produce a baby Ferrari – the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari – which was a tweaked, tarted and pimped Fiat 500 or, to be more precise, a titivated Abarth 500. And much to our surprise – although Fiat did threaten it – the UK is to get a handful of RHD Abarth 695s – just 152.

The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari comes complete with a Scuderia Red paint job (how could it have anything else?) and a more than warm version of Fiat’s 1.4 litre turbo producing 180 ‘prancing’horses, which are channeled to the front wheels through a six-speed MTA ‘box (automated manual) managing 0-60mph in under 7 seconds and, if you’re careful, over 40mpg.

In addition to a herd of horses, the Tributo Ferrari also gets a sorted suspension with new shocks, a variable back pressure, dual mode exhaust and a meaty set of Brembo brakes. On the cosmetic side you’ll get carbon fibre mirrors and seats, 17″ ‘Racing Grey’ alloys, lots of Abarth logos and a new Jaeger instrument panel.

So what will this Fiat disguised as a Ferrari cost? £29,600. Which is a huge amount of money for a Fiat 500. But there is a saving grace. In comparison to the Aston Martin Cygnet – which is a bought-in Toyota with an Aston Badge at likely similar money – the Tributo Ferrari does perform and is – sort of – built in-house. All of which give it credibility.

Still, for £30k you could pick up a mid ’90s Ferrari F355. Which might be a tad more interesting.