After being Abarthless for nearly a month, I picked up my blue 695 from John501 at Vospers yesterday. My 300+ mile trip back to Reading via Kent has given me a chance to get to know whether the 11 month wait has been worthwhile. My first impressions are as follows:-
- It's fast - very fast. If my TMC'd A500SS was dyno'd at 170bhp, Wallnutz must be packing >200bhp. God knows how it will feel after Daron has breathed on it
- I like the flappy paddle gearbox. Feels a little weird at first but it suits the car well and no dodgy shifts as reported with the A500C
- The Brembo brakes are excellent and really inspire confidence
- The Koni suspension provides a totally different experience to my SS. Firm but assured and comfortable
- The sound of the Monza is spine-tingling
- The Sabelt seats are very comfortable
- The interior matched accessories are a nice touch
Things that could be better:-
- The seating position is even a little higher than on the SS. I can't see if there is any way of lowering them a bit.
- Whilst a nice place to be, the interior is not as intimate as I had thought after sitting in a red 695 at Thames. Maybe it was the darker interior that had given me that impression. Still I'm happy with it
- I miss my Skydome
- The bespoke Tributo keyholder is red
So far though, I'm more than happy with my purchase.
For those of you that are unable to stretch to a 695, I'd sell what ever you can in order to finance the purchase of a Monza, some Konis (with SS springs) and a Garrett 1446 turbo. It will transform your driving experience.
