178bhp turbocharged performance – 0-60 in 6.7 secs
THE APPEAL
A luxury powerboat-themed hardcore hot hatchback is about as niche as a car gets, but in the form of the Abarth 695 Rivale, the bizarre combination works.
A collaboration between Abarth and Riva, the premium speedboat manufacturer, the Rivale was a 2018-only special edition of which only 350 were constructed for the UK – 175 hatchbacks and 175 convertibles. If you were prepared to splash out an extra £2,000 (and not a lot of people were), you could even have the dashboard finished in the same polished wood as the speedboat deck.
Equipped with unique seats, mats and leather details finished in a shade of blue normally reserved for Riva boats, and finished in a smart two-tone blue and grey colour scheme to go with it, the Rivale was one of the more unusual Abarths and is guaranteed to become one of the most collectable in the future, not least because it’s based on the high performance 695 model with 178bhp and ridiculous performance.
The Abarth 695 is a special little car at the best of times, but this one combines all of the standard car’s attributes with an extra dose of luxury and prestige. It’s a special little car in lovely condition, and is one that combines the usability of being quite modern with rarity, exclusivity and collectability. It’s as much a luxury accessory as it is a car, and an extremely cool one at that.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
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