Switching to sport mode, we attacked tight corners. The engine response sharpened, and the power noticeably increased. It’s rare to feel such a clear difference just by switching to sport mode.
Given the car’s small size and short wheelbase, I imagined it would be agile and dart around like a go-kart, but surprisingly, it’s tuned for stability.
The steering effort is somewhat heavy, and even while cornering, the steering wheel strongly resists, trying to return to center. This is the exact opposite of the McLaren 650S I used to own.
So, it doesn’t feel as quick or nimble as its looks suggest.
On the other hand, the tires grip strongly, allowing confident cornering. I tested the TTC (Torque Transfer Control) on and off, but on public roads at a brisk pace, I didn’t notice much difference.
This car is sportier than your average compact car but doesn’t have the wildness its appearance might imply.
I opened the roof while driving. The sense of openness is fantastic. The engine sound comes in from above, and since the Akrapovič exhaust sounds better outside, this open-top setup suits it perfectly.
The roof opens in two stages, but fully open, the wind buffeting is quite strong, so stopping halfway offers better comfort.
Continuing through winding roads, we hit the highway. The wheelbase is only 2300mm—shorter than Honda’s N-WGN at 2520mm, making it even shorter than many kei cars.
I’d heard Abarths are stable at highway speeds but was somewhat skeptical.
However, once on the highway, I was amazed.
The straight-line stability is unbelievable for such a short wheelbase. Even at speeds where you lead the passing lane, there’s no unease. It tracks perfectly straight.
Unlike long-wheelbase cars, this stability doesn’t come from length but from suspension tuning that keeps it straight.
Earlier, I mentioned the strong steering self-centering on winding roads; that setup pays off on the highway. The front tires’ desire to run straight is clearly felt through the steering.
On gentle curves where you slightly turn the wheel, you have to consciously maintain steering angle to avoid the car wanting to straighten out.
That’s how strong the straight-line stability is.
So even at a brisk pace, the Abarth doesn’t falter. For such a tiny car, it cruises the highway with ease, keeping up with larger vehicles. Despite its kei car-like size, its stability is worlds apart from a kei car.
It’s an exaggeration, but it feels like the difference between a car and a bicycle.
I’m truly impressed by the tuning that achieves this straight-line stability with such a super-short wheelbase. It’s clearly a product of the Autostrada heritage.
After about an hour and a half of driving, what initially felt like a harsh ride had transformed into a pleasant experience. The Abarth left me with a satisfying sense of having really driven. By the end, I even felt refreshed.
The Abarth 595 is undoubtedly a car that offers something beyond mere ride comfort and convenience.
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