What's all this about?

Fiat's feisty Abarth 595 Competizione has got more power and more standard kit, with prices starting from £19,890.

OK, what has been done to the 595?

Trying to be a standalone model apart from the regular 500 range, power on the 2015MY Abarth goes up from 160- to 180hp, while maximum torque stands at 250Nm at 2,500rpm. This means the Competizione can do 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds before topping out at 140mph, with a quoted economy figure of 48.7mpg to boot.

What else has been added?

As standard there's a 'throaty' Record Monza exhaust system, new 17-inch alloys in a titanium finish, Brembo brakes with red callipers, a leather sports steering wheel, Sabelt sports seats, Xenon headlights, rear parking sensors and aluminium pedals. Options include leather sports seats, an electric sunroof, an Interscope uprated audio system and various wheel, exterior colour and stripe kit choices for proper personalisation. Oh, and the standard, no-cost colour for the Abarth 595 is now Campovolo Grey, instead of Officina Red.

How many models are there?

The first to hit our shores is the manual hatchback, which represents the entry price mentioned earlier. For £21,190, you can opt to have it as an automatic (MTA), while an open-topped 595 Competizione will follow soon after, also available as a manual (£21,890) or an MTA (£23,190). All cars should be available to order by the end of this month.