Abarth’s potent 695 biposto – “the most Abarth of all Abarths" – made its UK racing debut last weekend (9-10 May), celebrating with a class win and runner-up place.
Driven by motoring journalists Alisdair Suttie and David Finlay, and entered in the Class A1 Road-going production cars up to 2000cc class, the stunning grey biposto, complete with “dog-ring” gearbox, attracted the attention of spectators and racers alike at the BARC Harewood Speed Hiilclimb in Yorkshire.
Weighing just 997kg and featuring a 190hp version of Abarth’s 1.4-litre turbo engine, the car made light work of the demanding Harewood circuit. Its 0-62mph acceleration figure of just 5.9 seconds, and a 143mph top speed, helped the two journalists to very respectable times – Alisdair posting 70.60 seconds and David 70.90.
The two drivers plan to enter as many rounds as possible of this year's British Leaders Hillclimb Championship, always in the Road-going category but always in a different car, while raising awareness and money for the charity Blood Bikes.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to drive the Abarth biposto in a competitive way and David and I really enjoyed the experience,” said Alisdair Suttie. “The car felt quick, balanced, and very good to handle. And it looked every bit a racer too with everyone coming to inspect it.”
“We were delighted to see the Abarth biposto competing at our event,” said Mike Geen, marketing manager, Harewood Hillclimb. “We like to attract as many different cars as possible to our meetings and it was certainly the first time most people had seen the biposto.”
With just two seats complete with full four-point harnesses, the 695 biposto is the first production road car to come with the ‘dog-ring' gearbox for fast, sportscar-style gear changes. An Akrapovic exhaust system and Extreme Shox adjustable shock absorbers are among other sporting features. Prices start at £33,055 OTR.
Topic: ABARTH BIPOSTO MAKES UK RACING DEBUT – WITH A CLASS ‘ONE-TWO’ (Read 7875 times)