600 hp and extreme bodywork for this Abarth 695 Biposto! "the smallest of supercars

The Time Attack often features Japanese or German sports cars, with their devilish turbos and displacement. The Italians, however, are not to be outdone: we've already come across Lamborghinis, Ferraris and even Alfa Romeo 4Cs or 75s in Time Attack. But this time, the madness has gone up a notch!

L'Abarth Time Attack by Cesare Bassanini is one of the most spectacular and unexpected projects in the Time Attack Italia championship. This Swiss driver, deeply passionate about mechanics and performance, owns his own Bassanini Custom garage. A few years ago, he embarked on the crazy project of transforming the little city car into a veritable circuit weapon, capable of competing with far more powerful machines.

695 Biposto, the Abarth of extremes

Bassanini took as its base the most radical of all Abarth "500s": the 695 Biposto, which Abarth liked to dub "the smallest of supercars". Presented at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the model incorporated the solutions of the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse Evoluzione. With a 1.4 T-jet engine developing 190 hp and a weight of just 997 kg, it was capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 230 km/h. It was also the world's first road car in its class to be fitted with an H-clutch gearbox (optional on the 5-speed manual gearbox).

The Abarth 695 biposto also carried the Akrapovič exhaust system, Extreme Shox adjustable shock absorbers, Sabelt Abarth Corsa seats with 4-point seat belts, Brembo braking system with ventilated and perforated front discs (305 x 28 mm) with four-piston monobloc calipers (4 x 38 mm), 18-inch OZ lightened wheels with semi-slick tires and titanium rear roll bar.

The Incredible Hulk

Bassanini's 695 Biposto Abarth has been completely redesigned by the Old School Garage workshop, with which he works closely. The car has received complete chassis reinforcement, racing suspensions, a body 40 centimetres wider and optimized for aerodynamics, a major engine work-up bringing power to a radical level for this format, massive lightening, a typical "Time Attack" configuration, where everything is thought out for a single perfect timed lap. Fiberglass doors and tailgate Fiberglass hood, reinforced fiberglass side skirts and rocker panels, and Plexiglas windows all help shed unwanted pounds. The body features giant spoilers to generate downforce and a widebody kit that would make Stanceworks or Liberty Walk, the specialists in the genre, green with envy!

1.92 kilos per horse!

The original 1.4 L turbo engine has been completely reworked and modified to deliver around 600 hp, all of which is sent to the front wheels. Technical details are for the specialists, but we can mention the implementation of a Garrett G25/660 turbo, forged and recalibrated parts, 1000cc injectors and a mapping oriented for pure performance on a flying lap. A 7-speed Kotouc sequential gearbox with reinforced half-shafts is used to transmit this monstrous cavalry. 

Adjustable Öhlins shock absorbers, oversized OSG anti-roll bar and 370 mm front brake discs with AP Racing 4-piston calipers will help keep this rocket on the ground. The front spoiler is even disproportionately large and wide, like a pie shovel or snowplow. What calculations lie behind this appendage? The result is an unrecognizable 500, with aggressive handling, spectacular performance and extreme looks, often described as "crazy but incredibly efficient". The car's greatest feat came in 2023, when it won the Italian Time Attack title in the Pro 3000 class.