About a couple of weeks ago a bit of a teaser moment and a rumor got together and turned enthusiasts’ interest towards a mid-engined Fiat 500 Abarth.
Speaking of which, guess what perky little hatchback was spotted showing off at the Monte Carlo Top Marques show?
The full name of the new creation is Lucarelli Monza 500 Motore Centrale R230 and if you’re wondering why that doesn’t include many Fiat or Abarth references it’s because too much was modified for the car to be easily identifiable with those models.
The engine residing at the back of the 500 Motore Centrale R230 is a 1.4-liter turbo four-pot which develops 230 horsepower. Since that sort of figure would be a lot to handle for the front wheel drive car, the rear wheels take over.
Power is sent down a five speed manual gearbox towards the rear wheels which take all the abuse. Easing the burden, there’s an electronic limited-slip differential and a completely new a new rear wishbone suspension.
Just in case you don’t think Lucarelli Monza didn’t do a crazy enough job for you, the 500 Motore Centrale does come in a special version called the Pista.
This 500 Motore Centrale Pista R280 version gets you 50 more horsepower, a real differential, a mechanical one, the traditional racing roll cage and adjustable suspension.
No word on pricing, fuel economy and such but a car as small as a Fiat 500 that can do 160 mph can’t be anything but fun can it now?
