Fiat is no stranger to building special edition versions of the Abarth 695, but there is something different about this one. It’s called the Abarth 695 70th Anniversario, and, as the name suggests, it’s a celebratory special edition model that pays homage to Abarth’s 70th anniversary. In keeping with the theme, Fiat will only build 1,949 units of the 695 70th Anniversario. It’s unclear if America will get dibs on a specific number of models, but if you live in Italy, you should get a good chunk of the 1,949 available units, each priced at €34,600. That converts to just under $38,000 based on current exchange rates.

What Makes the 2019 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario Special?

There is something to an Abarth 695 Special Edition that’s repetitive. Part of it can be attributed to the reality that there’s no shortage of Abarth 695 Special Edition models that have come out in recent years. In the last few years alone, models like the Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Limited Edition, Abarth 695 Rivale, and Abarth 695 Biposto Record have all entered the market in different shades of color, treatment, and all-around exclusivity. A special edition Abarth 695 doesn’t feel as special anymore because of how often we see one hit the streets.

And yet, something about the Abarth 695 70th Anniversario is different. Perhaps it’s the reason behind its existence. It is, after all, called the 70th Anniversario, a nod to the brand’s 70th anniversary. The automaker first cut its teeth as a performance car brand with models like the 205A, 209A, and Monomille. It also ventured into motor racing, specifically competing in rally races in the latter part of the last century. In 1971, Abarth was purchased by Fiat, kick-starting a relationship that has lasted until today. These days, Fiat counts Abarth as one of its sub-brands. The latter’s current lineup includes models like the 124 Spyder and, of course, the unmistakable 595.

The Abarth 595 has been the subject of many special edition treatments in recent years. It’s no surprise, then, that with Abarth celebrating its 70th anniversary this year as an automaker, a special edition 695 that pays tribute to that accomplishment is now headed to the market. The Abarth 695 70th Anniversario is a lot of things, but it’s not your typical special edition Abarth 695. Let’s get that out of the way.

This particular shade of green is the same one that was used on the first 500 Abarth model, the same one that set six international records at the famed Italian race track back in 1958. There’s also a unique checkerboard design to the hatchback’s roof. That’s another nod to the brand’s rich and successful history in motor racing. Abarth’s old-scoop Scorpion logo is also prominently displayed in the body of the special edition Abarth 695.

On the aerodynamic side, the Abarth 695 70th Anniversario comes with flared wheel arches that are hard to miss and side skirts that run a little deeper than we’re used to seeing in an Abarth 695. The wheel arches, side skirts, and part of the front bumper come in a silver finish, creating a nice two-tone look to the 70 Anniversario. Speaking of which, the special edition hatch also sits on a set of wider 17-inch SuperSport alloy wheels. The overall appearance of the Abarth 695 70 Anniversario is something that you can expect from Abarth, but this particular special edition offers something a bit more distinctive. It’s got an identity or at least a look that’s unlike what we’ve seen from past special edition versions of the Abarth 695.

Then there’s the new manually adjustable rear wing. If it’s not enough that the wing prominently displays the Abarth word logo, it’s also worth mentioning that this specific rear wing comes with 12 settings that run from zero to 60 degrees. The aerodynamic effects on the car vary depending on the chosen setting, though if you want to go all out and use it at its max setting, the rear spoiler can provide as much as 42 kilos of extra downforce at speeds of 124 mph. Just below the rather ostentatious-looking rear wing is the special edition Abarth’s quad-tailpipe setup with the Record Monza exhaust. The Abarth 695 70th Anniversario isn’t overloaded with power, but at least it’s going to sound like it is with this exhaust setup.

There’s a sport steering wheel, which can never be a bad thing. An aluminum shift-knob is also a nice retro touch while a seven-inch infotainment screen with a telemetry system and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are answers for those inclined to modern technology. The unique floor mats are simple add-ons, but the real highlight of this section of the 695 70th Anniversario is the unique sport bucket seats that were developed by renowned aftermarket specialist Sabelt specifically for the 695 Anniversario. If there ever comes a point where you wonder what made the Abarth 695 Anniversario special, it would be the rear spoiler and the bucket seats. No two ways about it.

You most certainly can’t point at the car’s engine to find the gravitas you’re looking for. The good news is that the Abarth 695 70th Anniversario is powered by the most potent version of Abarth’s turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Less impressive is that the engine only produces 178 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Sure, it’s the most power you’ll get from a factory Abarth 695, but you kind of wish it had more, right? In any event, power from the 695 70th Anniversario’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine is sent to the front wheels courtesy of a five-speed manual transmission and a mechanical limited-slip differential. With that setup in place, the hatchback can scoot from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds before maxing out at a top speed of 139 mph.

Abarth 695 70th Anniversario specifications

Its combination of stylishness and sportiness isn’t something you rarely see in an Abarth 695, let alone a special edition model that’s based on the standard version. Unfortunately, this very aspect of the special edition hatchback also means that it’s not going to come cheap. Over in Italy, the Abarth 695 Anniversario costs €34,600, which converts to just under $38,000 based on current exchange rates. That’s a premium price for an Abarth 695 special edition.

There’s no word on whether Fiat is allocating a specific number of the 1,949 units of the special edition 695 in the U.S., but don’t expect it to happen anyway. Better to know it’s not coming than expect that it is, only for those expectations to fizzle out.