Revised pricing headlines the changes for the 2018 Abarth 595, which is no mean feat, because in real terms the diminutive hot hatch was already something of a bargain. Value isn’t the only story, though, with subtle specification additions sure to make the scorpion badge even more appealing. Barreling into a tight right-hander, the rain hasn’t eased and I’m hard on the brakes to wash off enough speed to enter the corner safely while peering through the thrashing wipers. Rivers of runoff flood the coarse-chip, off-camber surface as the tyres force the nose into the line I demand. I mash the accelerator at the apex, deliberately trying to unsettle the front end of the 595 Competizione (shown here in red) just to see what happens. It won’t slew into pointless understeer, though - rather it somehow finds grip on the drenched surface and pulls me through the corner at speed. This is certainly a well-tuned hot hatch, but more on that in a minute… Anyone who loves motoring history knows all about Abarth, both the man – Carlo Abarth – and the racing pedigree of the brand. What started as a tuning house specialising in small engines, quickly became much more than that. Abarth collected all manner of racing records along the way, too. History doesn’t have a lot to do with matters motoring in 2017, I grant you, but one critical element remains very much front and centre of the Abarth manifesto – passion. Well, it should be ‘passione’ in Italian, but you get what I mean - just add a vowel, you can’t go wrong. Those of you attracted to the Abarth 595 are no doubt drawn to the passion of the design and retro ethos, the point of difference, the ability to stand out in an otherwise bland small hatchback segment, and the chance to buy into a legendary brand. Read more http://www.caradvice.com.au