Essay. A name that evokes memories for her friends Abarth, but also to all those who love driving and high performance. Since the 1960s, Carlo Abarth's enhancement kits have brought the pleasure of sporty driving to thousands of drivers, earned the brand's founder a reputation and established him as the inventor of mass-produced enhanced cars.
In 1964, Abarth engineers transformed the "humble" 500 into the "poisonous" 695 Esseesse. The engine capacity was increased to 690cc, the output reached 38 hp and the top speed reached 140 km/h. Total production was limited to just 1,000 units, while the "SS" logo on the bonnet and the corresponding "esseesse" on the dashboard set the tone for this different 500 that felt the touch of Abarth's Scorpio.
This model is the inspiration for just 695 copies in "Scorpion Black" and 695 copies in "Campovolo Grey" of the new Abarth 695 Esseesse, the collector's version for collectors seeking maximum performance and driving pleasure. From the design phase of the new model, the aim was to further improve acceleration and traction. To this end, a familiar Abarth path was followed: that of reducing weight, revising the balance of the whole and improving aerodynamic performance. The new 695 Esseesse is fitted with a "bubbled" aluminium bonnet, which has a weight reduction of 25% compared to the conventional one, and combined with Akrapovič's exhaust and other targeted interventions, the weight reduction compared to the already lightweight Abarth 595 Competizione is more than 10kg. Present on the new 695 Esseesse is the "Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile", the adjustable rear spoiler, which improves aerodynamic performance while giving the model an even more dynamic character. These changes now dethrone the Competizione version from the throne of the fastest Abarth 595/695, with the new Esseesse being, among other things, faster in the 400 by 1/10th of a second.
Focusing on ultimate performance, the new 695 Esseesse will be available exclusively in the 3-door version, since the Cabrio version, among other things, could not be equipped with the "Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile", which is adjustable from 0ο up to 60ο and offers up to 42 kg of vertical aerodynamically generated force. Combined with the weight reduction at the front due to the aluminium bonnet, the new weight distribution offers even more responsiveness to driver commands and better balance.
In addition to the impressive aerodynamic aid, the 695 Esseesse is distinguished by the new white-coloured 18" diameter wheels, red Brembo calipers and special logos. The rear is dominated by Akrapovič's titanium exhaust tips, which, in addition to their performance and distinctive aesthetics, also impress with their sound effect. Similarly, inside, the Sabelt sports seats marked "one of 695" give a nod to the model's collector's character, while the red belts, carbon fibre details and extensive use of Alcantara on the dashboard reinforce the model's racing character, as does the telemetry system included in the Uconnect multimedia system with its 7" touchscreen.
The new 695 Esseesse is powered by the most powerful version of the 1.4 T-jet engine, producing 180bhp and 250Nm of torque at 3,000rpm. Top speed reaches 225km/h, while acceleration from standstill to 100km/h requires just 6.7sec. Similarly, covering 400m from a standstill requires 15.1seconds. This high performance is harnessed through the use of Koni FSD shock absorbers on both axles, and Brembo four-piston calipers mounted on 305 and 240mm ventilated discs at the front and rear respectively.
See the new Abarth 695 Esseesse in action:
