Fiat 500 Abarth 695 biposto, the flagship modification of a compact car, issues challenge to sports cars. And its major opponent is the Mini John Cooper Works delivering 211 hp. The Fiat 500, which was demonstrated at the Geneva Motor Show, is now fitted with a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine producing 190 hp. It is able to sprint to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, while the British car needs 6.5 seconds for that.
So far, Fiat stays behind in top speed results — 230 km/h vs. Mini’s 238 km/h. It would be right to mention the brakes here. The Italian car is equipped with 305-mm Brembo brakes, self-locking differential and adjustable shocks.
Fiat 500 Abarth 695 biposto has some exterior changes — aggressive front bumper, rear diffuser, 18-inch wheels. It also features interior changes — partially dismantled cabin, rear bench thrown away and replaced with a titanium roll bar with 4-point seat belts stretching out to the front Sabelt racing buckets.
Meanwhile, Mini is getting ready with an answer. At the Detroit Auto Show held in January the company unveiled a prototype of the future Mini John Cooper Works fitted with a 231-hp engine. However, its dynamic performance has not been revealed yet and the launch of its production was put on hold till the end of 2014 — beginning of 2015.
