The look of luxury? Abarth and yacht builder Riva combine for the special 695 Rivale
Nothing more than a marketing exercise, another ‘special’ when standard cars are the exception? But nobody seemed to mind Mazda rolling out model after model of limited-edition MX-5s.
The Abarth 695 Rivale is a celebration of the creative talents of Carlo and Carlo: Abarth and Riva, the famous yacht designer.
But did this need to be an Abarth, let alone the highest-strung 695? The around-town comfort of a TwinAir would surely be better to nip from the harbour to the local Monaco supermarché.
The 695 has a longer history than many would expect, having first been unleashed on the world as a bonkers 87mph, flared-arch 500 in 1964.
Various special 695s have been produced recently, such as the Biposto and the Tributo Ferrari – both a full £10k more expensive than this Rivale. They were rarer, but only 350 will be made of this – 175 each in soft- and hardtop.
As expected, the sound from its throaty exhaust, ‘sport’ mode enabled and valve opened, is addictive. Roll back the convertible roof and it sounds even sweeter.
