The name alone puzzles. Biposto by no means stands for a particularly predisposed postal officer or a double guard in front of the studio of a Milanese fashion designer. "Posto" means "seats". So we learn that the 3,66 meter short one Abarth-Version of the iconic Fiat 500 can only take two occupants on the fast pace. There is room for a back seat. But that is blocked by the frame of a massive roll cage with bright red additional belts, which are led forward through the backrests of the seats. Both are helpful when the ambitious biposto driver really runs out of the road.
And the danger always threatens. Because the huge herd of draft horses under the short hood pulls violently on the steering wheel when the right pedal takes over the role of the spurs. Thanks to electronic help and limited slip differential, the tiny wheels' front wheels can actually cope with the power of 139 kW / 190 PS, which, however, requires a vigorous grab when accelerating. Casual driving as in any car tempts the Abarth to deviate from the straight path. Fast progress needs to be practiced if the almost six seconds from standstill to 100 km are to be achieved.
The same applies to switching work. Bright metal, from which the shaft of the gear stick sticks out like a walking stick, dominates the room in front of the front seats. The cover was not forgotten here. The clear view of the inner workings of the shift linkage is considered sporty and chic. The visual originality does not spare the driver his acoustic inadequacy when shifting. Because only after long practice, in which the almost forgotten intermediate gas should sometimes be used, can the gears be silently engaged. Abarth himself calmed down: "The gearbox is tough".
All of these will be particularly appreciated by fans of such thoroughly unreasonable types of cars. Greetings from Playstation or X-Box when it comes to adding all kinds of sporty extras, which is usually subject to a charge. Whether a plastic window with a small sliding hatch, loops instead of handles for closing the door, bonnet locks made of titanium, bucket seats made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic or a data recording system that records lap times as well as lateral acceleration. Much of it is used to save just under a ton (without a driver). So each horsepower is responsible for only 5,2 kilograms.
Mind you, the Abarth 695 biposto is a pocket-sized racing car. But one with street approval for public transport. So that all those out there also notice what type of dervish is on the road, the 1,4-liter turbo engine does not keep up with the noise even with the noise. He can do without the artificially generated sound of a generator. Everything is real. The silencer system comes from the Slovenian specialist Akrapovic, who once dedicated himself to motorcycles.
The comparison between the fast-paced Abarth and a motorcycle is definitely allowed. Little comfort, only limited space in the trunk, a powerful engine and wheels on it. Perhaps die-hard bikers can be tempted to buy a biposto that can be used with the necessary care even when it rains. Visually, the distant relative of an everyday car like the Fiat 500 does a good job. Examples are the 18-inch wheels, on the inside of which the Brembo brake calipers shine in rich red.
The question remains about customers of such cars. Toys for wealthy contemporaries who just don't want to be sensible. Or a graduation gift for the universal heir who is not always supposed to block Papas Rolls Royce for the journey to the berth of the luxury yacht. Or maybe young freaks who loot their savings accounts and dream of a career on the racing slopes. For everyone: Please book professional driver training and practice diligently on closed routes. (Peter Maahn / SP-X)