The Abarth F595 shares its engine with a Formula 4 car

Did you know that since 2014, the Tatuus single-seaters that race in the German and Italian Formula 4 championships have used the turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine from the Abarth 595? 

Nor did we. This week’s new Abarth 595, the so-called Abarth F595, pays tribute to this “long-running partnership”, and marks 50 years since Mr Abarth himself designed the original Formula Italia single-seater. 

Here the 1.4 comes in a slightly less powerful state of tune than in other Abarths, such as the 695 Esseesse revealed a couple of weeks ago. It makes 163bhp and 170lb ft of torque, and claims 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds with the manual or 7.4 seconds with the optional old-school five-speed automated manual. 

Ought to sound faster than it is thanks to a new “Record Monza Sovrapposto” exhaust with vertically-stacked tailpipes. A little scorpion button on the dash, which also messes with the steering and throttle response, makes it loud or quiet.

You can get one as a hatch or cabrio, with prices in the UK starting at a shade over £20k. There aren’t many hot hatches around that cost less than that. Interested?