Abarth unveiled the hardcore 695 Biposto at the Geneva Motor Show, a 190hp little monster that only weighs 997 kg (2,198 lbs), thanks to an intense weight reduction diet. With a weight-to-power ratio of only 5.2 kg/hp, the 695 Biposto sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph).
Essentially a road-going version of the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse racer, the 695 Biposto is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine producing 190hp. As its name reveals, the car is a two-seater, with the rear bench removed. Other “luxuries” were removed too, including the xenon headlights, fog lights, climate control, electric windows and radio system, to ensure the best possible performance.
Weight-saving measures are extensive, including fixed front windows with polycarbonate sliding panels, bumpers, side skirts, wheel arches and spoilers with carbon inserts, lightened 18-inch OZ rims and rear titanium roll bar by Poggipolini.
The Abarth 695 Biposto is the first street legal car ever in its category to be fitted with an H-pattern gearbox featuring dog rings with controls and disc and clutch self-locking differential derived from racing. Abarth says that this type of gearbox, made by Bacci Romano, makes upwards gear changes so rapid that expert drivers don’t need to use the clutch.
Other racing components are the Akrapovic exhaust system, Extreme Shox adjustable shock absorbers, MXL digital data logger, Abarth Corsa by Sabelt seats with 4-point seat belts and Brembo braking system. The Abarth 695 Biposto also features a disc and clutch self-locking differential.
The car is offered with three customization kits: the “124 Speciale Kit” featuring aluminum bonnet and titanium hub caps, wheel bolts and water, oil and fuel caps, the “Carbon Kit” featuring carbon mirror covers, dashboard fascia, front door panel and interior rear-view mirror, and the “Pista Kit” including digital data logger and the four-point seat belt attached to the seats with carbon shell.
By Dan Mihalascu
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