Celebrating 175 years of Riva yachts with the Abarth 695 Rivale.

The Abarth 695 Rivale.

As a tribute to the relationship between Carlo Abarth and Riva, ironically by the same name, the Abarth boffins – responsible for all the “spirited” Fiats have taken to the 695 to create the devilishly rare Rivale. Resembling the “Beauty Line” Riva yacht it adorns a two-tone Riva Sera Blue and Shark Grey coat with a double aquamarine stripe that runs the length of the body.

A glance at the fact sheet provides evidence that the Rivale draws more from the likes of a racing catamaran, rather than the flamboyant cruiseliners playboy millionaires land their helicopters on. From a tiny 1368cc motor and the aid of an equally sized turbocharger, it’s good for 134 kW and 250 N.m. These are seriously impressive numbers from the little fighter and in turn, make it a 6.7 second 0-100 km/h sprinter with enough gusto to take you all the way to 225 km/h. To reign in all these sea-horses, the addition of Brembo 4-piston brakes up front will ensure more than enough stopping power for the Rivale, but starting up again will be made all the more sweeter through a twin-exit Akrapović exhaust system with carbon tail pipes.

Satin finishes, commemoratory logos and customised elements combined with the new 17” Supersport lightweight wheels enhance the aggression and dynamic prowess that the sporty little motor has, and with a Koni suspension and the FSD – Frequency-selective dampening system – it promises a drive just as good as it looks.The interior will feature the highest level of standard spec in the Abarth 695 range, featuring a 7” HD touch screen Uconnect Infotainment system, hand-finished blue and black leather front seats, carbon fibre kick plates, and the option of having a dashboard in either carbon fibre or mahogany. A centre console-mounted plaque below the handbrake will indicate build number, and on request can have the name of one’s Yacht inscribed – Nice!

Abarth 695 Rivale in South Africa

Only 175 hatches and 175 cabriolets of the Abarth 695 Rivale will come to being, 20 of which have been allocated to the South African market. No prices have been released at this stage but given it’s a rather rare little motor with tremendous looks and a firecracker of an engine, its price probably won’t be as good looking.

Kanye Ngwenya

Junior Writer