UK collector and buying guide · Abarth 695 Biposto and Biposto Record
The 695 Biposto was Abarth’s most extreme road-going interpretation of the modern 500. Launched in 2014 and offered in Britain from 2015, it combined a 190 hp T-Jet engine with Brembo brakes, adjustable suspension, an Akrapovič exhaust and a stripped two-seat interior. Options included a costly dog-ring gearbox and extensive racing equipment. It is rare enough that provenance and originality now matter as much as ordinary mechanical condition.
Our buying verdict
Buy the best documented, most complete car available. A conventional five-speed manual Biposto is easier to own than a dog-ring example and remains special. The dog-ring transmission should only be considered after inspection by someone who understands its operation, wear limits and servicing. A Biposto Record or heavily optioned car deserves model-specific authentication before any deposit is paid.
What made the Biposto different?
Abarth described the car as derived from the 695 Assetto Corse Evoluzione racer. Its 1,368cc turbocharged T-Jet produced 190 hp and 250 Nm, giving a manufacturer-quoted 0–62 mph time of 5.9 seconds and 143 mph maximum speed. A Garrett GT1446 turbo, front intercooler, BMC intake and active-valve Akrapovič exhaust formed part of the performance package.
Extreme Shox adjustable dampers, Brembo four-piston front calipers, 305 mm discs and 18-inch OZ wheels were major departures from a normal Abarth. The rear seats were removed and replaced by a titanium brace. Options could include polycarbonate side windows, data logging, carbon components and the exposed dog-ring gearbox.
| Version | Transmission | Buying consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 695 Biposto | Five-speed synchromesh manual | Originality, option list and model-specific service history |
| 695 Biposto dog-ring | Bacci Romano dog-ring unit | Specialist inspection, correct technique and rebuild evidence |
| 695 Biposto Record | Limited derivative, depending on specification | Numbered identity, Modena Yellow finish and complete documentation |
Authentication and provenance
Begin with the VIN, factory build information, numbered details and original invoice. Compare the car with Abarth’s option documentation. Many ordinary 500 and 595 models have been fitted with Biposto-style wheels, bumpers and badges; appearance alone proves nothing.
Ask for the original books, keys, tools, removed standard parts and every invoice. Photograph component labels on the turbo, dampers, brakes, exhaust, wheels and gearbox. On a collector-grade car, missing carbon trim, titanium hardware or option-specific equipment can affect both usability and value.
Engine, turbo and cooling
Arrange a completely cold start. Check oil level and specification, listen for abnormal noise and watch for smoke or warning lamps. The engine is highly tuned and may have been used on track, so service intervals, warm-up habits and oil consumption deserve detailed discussion.
Inspect boost hoses, intercooler, turbo oil lines, intake and exhaust joints. Power delivery should be consistent without detonation, misfire or boost-control faults. Any remap must be identified and matched to the turbo, fuel and hardware. A dyno result is not a substitute for compression, leak-down or oil-pressure testing when symptoms or history justify them.
Check the radiator, coolant hoses and expansion tank from cold. Monitor temperature under ordinary driving and allow the car to heat-soak before checking for leaks. Track use increases the importance of coolant, oil and brake-fluid records.
Timing belt and servicing
The T-Jet uses a timing belt. Establish the date, mileage and exact parts replaced from invoices, then confirm the correct schedule for the VIN with an Abarth specialist. Low annual mileage does not remove the calendar requirement. A car stored for long periods also needs its fuel, battery, tyres, seals and fluids assessed.
Standard manual or dog-ring gearbox?
The regular five-speed manual is familiar in operation, but must still be checked for clutch slip, bearing noise, synchro wear and leakage. Test all gears cold and hot and inspect the linkage and mountings.
The optional dog-ring transmission is a competition-derived component, not a conventional manual with a decorative exposed lever. It can be noisy, abrupt and expensive to rebuild. Correct operation requires an informed technique, while road use and unsympathetic changes accelerate wear. Obtain gearbox-specific servicing and rebuild evidence, inspect the dogs and selector mechanism where appropriate, and budget for specialist transport if a fault develops.
Do not buy a dog-ring car merely because it is the rarest specification. The standard transmission usually provides the more usable ownership experience.
Brakes, suspension, wheels and tyres
Inspect the Brembo front calipers, floating discs, pads, hoses and fluid history. Replacement costs are substantial, and track heat can crack discs or damage seals. Check both disc faces and measure rather than judging through the wheel.
Extreme Shox dampers are adjustable and model-specific. Look for leakage, damaged adjusters, corrosion and mismatched settings. Confirm when they were last inspected or rebuilt. Check suspension joints, top mounts and alignment, particularly where the car has used kerbs on circuit.
Examine every OZ wheel on both faces for bends, cracks and repairs. The 215/35 R18 tyre size offers little protection. Record tyre make, date and tread condition; an apparently unworn old tyre is not suitable simply because the car covers few miles.
Exhaust and emissions equipment
Verify the Akrapovič exhaust, valve operation and original emissions hardware. A stuck valve, damaged silencer or missing control equipment can be expensive. Establish whether the car will pass its legal emissions and noise requirements in the specification presented.
Bodywork and lightweight components
Inspect front and rear bumpers, side skirts, wheelarches and underbody for track or kerb damage. Compare paint depth and panel gaps. Lightweight windows and carbon components need close examination for scratches, cracking, delamination and poor replacement work.
Polycarbonate side windows, where fitted, demand particular care and may not behave like glass in daily use. Confirm that sliders, seals and fixings are complete. Do not polish them with an unsuitable product.
Interior, seats and safety equipment
Check Sabelt seat shells, runners, bolsters and mountings. Inspect harnesses and belts for age, damage and correct installation. Equipment suited to a track does not automatically satisfy current road or competition requirements; obtain specialist advice for the intended use.
Test the instrument display, data logger where fitted, climate controls, windows, lights, central locking and all warning lamps. Look for poorly installed cameras, chargers or telemetry wiring. Confirm that airbags and control units have not been disabled without documentation.
Ownership costs and use
A Biposto should be insured on its precise specification. Model-specific brakes, dampers, exhaust, wheels and lightweight trim cost more than ordinary 500 components and may require international sourcing. Secure storage, battery conditioning and careful tyre management belong in the annual budget.
Track use is not automatically disqualifying; undocumented use and deferred maintenance are. A car prepared and serviced correctly can be better than a garage ornament whose fluids, tyres and seals have aged unnoticed.
Viewing checklist
- Authenticate the VIN, derivative, numbered details and complete option list.
- Confirm original books, invoices, tools and removed standard parts.
- Inspect engine health, boost system, cooling and belt history.
- Identify the gearbox and obtain transmission-specific service evidence.
- Measure brakes and inspect Extreme Shox dampers and OZ wheels.
- Check the Akrapovič exhaust, valve and emissions equipment.
- Inspect carbon, titanium and polycarbonate components for damage or substitution.
- Examine seat and harness installation and test all electronics.
- Price scarce model-specific parts before agreeing a value.
Frequently asked questions
Is every Biposto fitted with the dog-ring gearbox?
No. The competition-style dog-ring unit was an expensive option. Many cars use a conventional five-speed manual, which is generally easier to operate and maintain.
Does Biposto mean two seats?
Yes. The rear seating was removed as part of the lightweight, track-focused design, with structural and trim changes behind the front seats.
Is it merely a tuned 595?
No. Although related to the same basic body, the Biposto combined extensive engine, cooling, brake, suspension, wheel, exhaust and cabin changes. Authentication remains essential because replicas can imitate its appearance.
Sources and research method
- Abarth: 695 Biposto technical specification
- Stellantis Media: 695 Biposto launch material
- evo: Abarth 695 review and buying context
- GOV.UK MOT history service
This guide cannot authenticate an individual car. Commission a model specialist to verify provenance, mechanical condition and road legality before purchase.
