Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati here for $60k

FIAT drastically cut the starting price of the regular 500 in Australia this week, but it also introduced a super exclusive – and super expensive – Abarth cabrio version developed in tandem with its Maserati supercar subsidiary.

It’s called the Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati, and it costs a rather remarkable $60,000 plus on-road costs.

That outlay certainly buys you exclusivity, with just 40 examples slated for Australian sale, from a global production run of 499.

The price makes it around $21,000 dearer than the standard $38,990 Abarth 500 1.4-litre convertible on which it is based.

Fiat has form on novelty cars such as this – it has previously sold out a limited run of 500-based Tributo Ferraris, each priced from $69,990.

The tiny terror seen here is powered by the same 132kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, which features a variable ‘dual mode’ exhaust that supposedly produces a meatier exhaust note when revving above 3000rpm while also improving engine performance.

The only transmission offered is an automated manual with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters for extra sportiness.

While Fiat has not released performance figures for the strictly limited cabrio, it is expected to beat the 7.4 second 0-100km/h sprint time of the regular Abarth 500 Esse Esse.

The Edizione Maserati is finished in a three-layered burgundy hue that Abarth has coined ‘Pontevecchio Bordeaux’, while the electrically folding soft-top roof provides a contrast in dark grey.

A number of Maserati-themed styling touches feature, including the Trident brand’s hexagonally-shaped tailpipes and Maserati-inspired 17-inch Neptune alloy wheels.

The luxuriously-appointed cabin features beige leather trim with a ‘695’ logo embossed on the headrest, while the branding can also be found on the matte carbon finish of the dashboard and gear-shifter.

Beige leather is also found on inserts in the black leather steering wheel, and the cabin also gets aluminium foot pedals and branded aluminium and carbon fibre sill plates.

Every example of the 695 Edizione Maserati comes with an individual build plate highlighting the car’s build number as well as a set of Tramontano leather luggage.

Other standard features include TomTom sat nav, nine-speaker sound system, Xenon headlights and automatic climate control.

The 695 Edizione Maserati’s arrival in Australia comes at the same time local distributor the Fiat Chrysler Group has launched a new cut-price entry-level 500 Pop hatch for $14,000 drive-away as well as the introduction of the limited edition 500 and 500C Gucci variants.