Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati

Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati

The Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati is making its international début at Geneva, a new Limited Edition (499 vehicles) which represents the bond between Abarth and Maserati, based on a host of shared values, including attention to detail, elegance and a passion for performance and sport.    

Further collaboration, after that undertaken three years ago with Ferrari and the creation of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, which once more confirms the authoritative presence of Abarth in the luxury sports segment, this time flanked by a brand with a history of sporting achievements and great road cars distinguished by elegance and exclusivity which has global recognition.
 Abarth and Maserati: two living legends, united by passion for mechanics and engines, who lent their names to two of the most prestigious companies to manufacture cars marked out by style and unmistakable performance.

Just as the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is the utmost expression of Abarth's sporty character and racing spirit, this new Limited Edition epitomises sheer elegance united to the comfort of a "GranTurismo", but with the handling of a car fit to take to the road every day.

The new Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati is an exclusive convertible which blends the aggression and sportiness of a high-performance car with the refined, elegant aesthetics of a convertible. In keeping with Maserati's standards, this new Limited Edition is distinguished by excellent handling and great sportiness, together with great attention to comfort, materials and detail.

The Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati features exclusive style details and special technical features developed by Abarth engineers in collaboration with Maserati. To start with, the 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16v engine boosted to 180 HP and teamed with the electrically-operated manual Abarth Competizione gearbox with steering wheel controls, which enhances the performance of the engine with reduced gearshift times as well as guaranteeing an experience of superior comfort at the wheel.

Again to improve performance, especially acceleration, the car is fitted with performance tyres on 17" alloy wheels featuring a special "Neptun" design from Maserati. The ride and braking system have also been strengthened to cope with the extra power: Brembo 305 mm brake discs that can be dismantled with fixed four-piston caliper and special shock absorbers that guarantee performance in total safety.
And of course there is a "Record Monza" variable back-pressure "dual mode" exhaust, designed to improve engine performance and deliver an inspiring sound at 3,000 rpm and above, with tailpipes which have been modified to assume the hexagonal shape which has always marked out Maserati cars.

The car's exterior features a body in Pontevecchio Bordeaux. This colour from Maserati is achieved with special three-layer paintwork which reflects light and accentuates the shine of the colour; it is also to be found on the door mirrors. The electrically controlled soft top is made of grey fabric.

The new Abarth adopts Xenon headlights with dipped and driving light functions for improved light emission and excellent performance in all weather conditions. These devices deliver three times the light intensity and duration of standard halogen-lamp headlights.

The customisation is just as complete on the inside. The interiors demonstrate both the attention to detail and the sportiness that characterise the two brands, starting with seats upholstered entirely in sand beige Poltrona Frau ® leather, with containment strips featuring single-layer padding, sporty but elegant and comfortable at the same time, and stylish details such as the number "695" heat-printed on the headrest and the pista grey contrasting electro-welding, to match the bodywork. The dashboard and gearbox trim are distinguished by a special matt-finish carbon lining, further enhanced with the 695 logo, while the door panels and rear panels undergo the special UV-LUX treatment, which lends the trims an elegant pista grey "flocking" effect. The black leather steering wheel is characterised by leather inserts and tricolour hub and houses the "steering wheel gearbox" controls, while the instrument panel has been specifically produced by the Jaeger brand. Other details enrich the interior, such as the aluminium pedal unit and sill plate, the carbon fibre kick plate with customised "Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati" graphics and the plate with the car's series number.

The Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati's touring vocation is expressed by the special boosted hi-fi audio system which comes as standard, to enhance the on-board experience.

In accordance with the tradition of Abarth Limited Editions, the already extensive equipment of the Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati is expanded through accessories and merchandising designed to enhance the experience of the brand both on board and outside the car, as dictated by the DNA of Abarth and Maserati - more than just a car, a genuine philosophy of life. To take just one example, the Tramontano Tribute to Abarth Travel Pack, comprising two stylish grey leather travel bags.

As of its presentation at the Geneva Motor Show, all the information on this new Limited Edition can be found at www.abarthspecialties.com, the new site which Abarth has dedicated to all Limited Editions produced in recent years, from 2007 until now. This showcase introduces the general public to the world of Limited Editions, from the Opening Edition presented one year after the rebirth of the brand in July 2008, stopping off at the Zerocento, the exclusive Abarth 500 with customised styling and top-flight performance, launched in November 2008 for the centenary of the birth of Karl Abarth, before finishing with the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari and Abarth Cabrio Italia, the 150-vehicle Limited Edition to mark the 150th anniversary of Italian unification which sold out in just a few months. But it's not only for the general public; the site is intended to facilitate direct communication with Abarth Limited Edition owners. As the presentation unfolds at the Geneva Motor Show, they will have exclusive access to an area with video images of the car and will be able to pre-order online, so as to ensure that they can stake their claim immediately.

[Source : FIAT]