Abarth rally fans should not miss this one

The Abarth “695 Tribute 131 Rally” was developed in the image of the famous Fiat “131 Abarth Rally” car that competed in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in the 1980s. The styling of the 695 Tribute 131 Rally is distinctly different from the standard model, with special fender arches and a wing with large ABARTH letters engraved on it. We spoke with Mr. “Kazu” who owns a 695 Tribute 131 Rallye.

When he heard it was in stock, he bought it without a second thought

Asso International, a developer and total manager of aftermarket high-performance parts for Fiat, Abarth, and Alfa Romeo, which are familiar Italian cars, will hold the “ASSO Driving Pleasure Giorno Della Famiglia 2024” at Fuji Speedway on March 17, 2024.

The event, which has become so popular that the maximum number of applicants was deliberately set at 100, aims to allow Italian car users to share the “fun” with their families and friends. The main content of the event is a parade run (no license, helmet, racing suit, shoes, gloves, etc. are required) where participants can drive their favorite cars on the racing course at Fuji Speedway.

Mr. “Kazu,” who drives an Abarth 695 Tribute 131 Rallye, produced in a limited edition of 200, was one of those who enjoyed the parade run.

“I used to drive a bare-bones grade Abarth 595 for three years. I had dampers, ECU tuning to change the engine control program, installed a spoiler, etc., and enjoyed it. After that, I switched to a 595 Competizione. I also modified the Competizione with dampers, a spoiler, and ECU tuning, which had become a standard menu item for me.”

He told us that he had been driving the 595 Competizione for 3 years, but when he went to pick it up at the dealership for the first inspection, the staff told him that they had a 695 Tribute 131 Rallye in stock. When he went to pick up the car at the dealership for its first inspection, the staff told him that they had a 695 Tribute 131 Rallye in stock, and he bought it unexpectedly 10 months ago.

“I was ready to continue driving the Competizione since it had passed inspection, but when I heard that they had a 131 Rallye in stock, I ordered it.”

Dressed up with OZ Racing wheels

The 695 Tributo 131 Rally is inspired by the Fiat 131 Abarth Rally, which was built based on the Fiat 131 Mirafiori two-door sedan. 131 Abarth Rally won the World Rally Championship in 1977, 1978 and 1980. The 131 Abarth Rally won the make title in the World Rally Championship in 1977 and in 1978 and 1980.

“The 695 Tribute 131 Rally is a limited edition of 200 units, so we didn’t mess with the body shape. The only modifications we made were installing coilovers, tuning the ECU, and changing to OZ Racing wheels.”

he also loves his BMW M2, which he purchased in December 2023, but he also drives it when he goes golfing at the 695 Tribute 131 Rally and enjoys car events and driving. The mileage was already over 6,000 km at the time of the interview.

After three years of driving the Abarth 595 and 595 Competizione, Kazu is sure to drive his current partner, the 695 Tribute 131 Rally, for the next three years anyway, so we will see him again at some event.