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December 3, 2020
Actor Hiroyuki Ikenouchi Embraces the Legend of Abarth
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Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro | The Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro
Actor Hiroyuki Ikenouchi Embraces the Legend of Abarth
Introducing the latest ABARTH, the "595 SCORPIONEORO," named after the "golden scorpion." With its black body, gold alloy wheels, and specially tailored black leather seats, the interior and exterior are finished with the sporty yet luxurious design unique to Italian cars, creating a model that combines the "performance" and "beauty" nurtured by Carlo Abarth. How did the latest Abarth strike the eyes of actor Hiroyuki Ikenouchi, a car enthusiast?
Text by OGAWA Fumio | Photographs by MAEDA Akira | Styling by KAWAI Kohta | Hair & Make-up by ShinYa | Edit by YAMAGUCHI Koichi
A Design That Beautifully Balances Maturity and Youthfulness
Released in November 2020, the "Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro" is a limited edition model with a stylish interior and exterior, featuring exclusive body colors and numerous special equipment. Actor Hiroyuki Ikenouchi proves how sophisticated it looks when a mature man drives it.
The Abarth 595, despite its compact body, delivers performance comparable to sports cars. It's a hot hatch born in Italy, with a character that successfully blends both cute and wild impressions, already winning many fans in Japan.
The "Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro," offered as a limited edition, is further characterized by its stylish finish. Above all, the combination of black body and gold is striking. The gold beauty line running from front to rear along the side of the body, the scorpion sticker on the hood—Abarth's symbol—and the gold road wheels all strike a beautiful balance between maturity and youthfulness.
Ikenouchi has captivated audiences with his wide-ranging roles, from hard-hitting action films like John Woo's "Manhunt" (2017) and Takeshi Kitano's "Outrage: Final Chapter" (18) to comedies, with his latest role in Ryo Miyawaki's "Yapunpe o Sagase" (20).
Mr. Ikenouchi is the kind of man who makes you feel this car is incredibly stylish. His presence on screen is immense, starting with his piercing gaze.
When Mr. Ikenouchi talks about cars, he focuses on how they make him feel. For example, he recalls feeling "both refinement and wildness" when he first drove a Ferrari (GTC4 Lusso).
According to Mr. Ikenouchi's impression, the "Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro" is "earthy, and evokes a sense of history." It's a truly unique expression. Knowing that Sicily is one of his favorite places in Italy, one can vaguely understand why.
Sicily, an island at the tip of the Italian peninsula, is often likened to a soccer ball kicked by Calabria, the "toe" of Italy. It brings to mind Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's masterpiece novel "The Leopard," also adapted into a film by Luchino Visconti, a native of Milan. The novel's setting was also Sicily—elegant, refined, yet simultaneously wild and dusty.
A Car That Evokes Both Passion and Refined Culture
The Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro is certainly a passionate car. It's equipped with a 1368cc 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with an intercooler, producing 165ps, offering exhilarating acceleration. Its handling rivals that of a sports car, and the vibrant sound emanating from the engine and exhaust—akin to the bel canto style in opera—is truly captivating.
On the other hand, Abarth, which began its business in Turin, the capital of the Piedmont region in northern Italy, in 1949, also possesses a refined culture, reminiscent of Milan in the neighboring Lombardy region, despite the different regional cultures.
This is evident in the styling of the Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro. As mentioned earlier, the color scheme is excellent. It's not a bold red that directly expresses passion. It's black and gold. Mature, yet not too subdued. It conveys both elegance and vitality simultaneously.
It's the perfect atmosphere for someone who loves life in many ways—whether it's sports with friends, enjoying delicious food, or having a passion for fashion.
Abarth explains that this color scheme is a legacy inherited from the Autobianchi A112 Abarth Targa Oro, a hot hatch that Abarth previously produced. They claim it "elevates timeless brilliance into unparalleled individuality."
Exclusive 17-inch, 14-spoke alloy wheels paired with 205/40R17 tires. Black brake calipers. Gold scorpion bonnet sticker. The scorpion is the zodiac sign of founder Carlo Abarth.
Furthermore, the roof features a checkered pattern in a matte black finish, reminiscent of classic Abarth cars. The exclusive emblems and side stickers also add numerous highlights to the exterior.
Inside, the sports seats are upholstered in a combination of exclusive leather and fabric, and the center console features a gold logo plate exclusive to this limited edition (only 200 units in Japan).
Enjoying the Drive Itself
"I also drive manual transmission cars, and I like compact, agile vehicles. For my daily commute, I tend to relax and enjoy listening to my favorite music, but this car makes me want to enjoy the drive itself. It's that kind of car."
Mr. Ikenouchi says this with an expectant gaze towards the Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro. An active individual who enjoys SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) and is passionate about his home vegetable garden, Mr. Ikenouchi often travels from Tokyo to Shonan. The drive to Shonan, encompassing city streets, highways, and winding roads, promises to be a wonderful experience with the Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro.
As the term "Italian design" suggests, the Abarth 595 is a model that offers a sophisticated sense of form in every aspect. The first point of appeal is the strong impression created by the balance between the 3,660mm long body and the large tires combined with 17-inch rim road wheels, pushing the boundaries of visual harmony.
The front bumper, integrated with deep air dams, and the rear bumper, incorporating a diffuser that streamlines airflow beneath the car like a race car to reduce drag, are fitting for Abarth's reputation, which gained popularity through manufacturing race and rally cars.
The choice between a right-hand drive with a 5-speed manual transmission (3.68 million yen) and a right-hand drive with a 5-speed sequential transmission with AT mode (3.79 million yen) is available. Left-hand drive options are also offered at the same prices. This variety of choices is also a welcome feature.
Spec
Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro | The Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro
- Body Size | Length 3,660 x Width 1,625 x Height 1,505mm
- Wheelbase | 2,300mm
- Tread Front/Rear | 1,410/1,400mm
- Vehicle Weight | 1,120kg
- Engine | 1,368cc Inline 4-cylinder Turbo with Intercooler
- Maximum Output | 121kW (165ps) / 5,500rpm
- Maximum Torque | 210Nm (21.4kgm) / 2,000rpm 230Nm (23.5kgm) / 2,250rpm (when SPORT switch is used)
- Transmission | 5-speed MT / 5-speed sequential with AT mode
- Drivetrain | FF
- Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut (with stabilizer)
- Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam (with stabilizer)
- Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs
- Rear Brakes | Discs
- Tires | 205/40R17
- Fuel Consumption (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism standard value) | 14.2km/ℓ (MT) / 13.4 km/ℓ (AT)
- CO2 Emissions (JOC08 fuel economy conversion value) | 163g/km (MT) / 173g/km (AT)
- Seating Capacity | 4 people
- Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (including tax) | 3.68 million yen (MT) / 3.79 million yen (AT)
IKEUCHI Hiroyuki
An actor widely active both domestically and internationally, primarily in television and film. His drama credits include WOWOW's "Innocent Days" (2018) and TV Tokyo's "Hagetaka" (2018). International works include "Railroad Tigers" (China, 2017). Film credits include John Woo's "Manhunt" (2017), Takeshi Kitano's "Outrage: Final Chapter" (18), and Ryo Miyawaki's "Yapunpe o Sagase" (20).
Outfit: Coat (reference item), Knitwear ¥82,000, Shirt ¥90,000, Pants ¥82,000, Sneakers ¥64,000 (Stella McCartney Menswear / Stella McCartney Customer Service Tel. 03-4579-6139)
