Brutal Bambino has 197kW kick

Producing go-faster Fiats falls within the domain of the company's in-house tuning arm -- Abarth -- but there's always the die-hard performance junkies for whom even these offerings are too mild.

Enter German tuner Pogea Racing, which has conjured up the Fiat 500 "Ferrari Dealers Edition", a pumped-up pocket rocket that arguably lives up to its prancing horse connections (even though the link appears slightly tenuous).

The standard Fiat 500 Abarth already ekes out a punchy 121kW and 230Nm from its force-fed 1.4 engine, but the Pogea Racing version ramps this up to giant-killing outputs of 197kW and 330Nm, giving it an on-paper edge over even the potent 188kW Volkswagen Golf R.

Pogea extracted the extra neddies via a larger stainless steel exhaust system, modified downpipe and a new catalytic converter (customers get to choose from a range of tailpipe designs).

There's also a new 'hybrid turbocharger', a modified intake system and a larger, more efficient centre-mount intercooler in place of the standard car's two smaller intercoolers. Meanwhile, the fuel injection system is optimised by changing fuel pressure valves and using upgraded Bosch fuel injectors.

Pogea says the hardest part of the development process was to avoid using a separate 'Tuning Box Unit' as, "Unlike other tuners, Pogea Racing starts with the standard ECU of the Fiat 500 Abarth, instead of relying on a separate controller unit".

For increased stopping power Pogea Racing upgraded the standard braking system with their four-piston assembly, which allegedly shortens stopping distances without adding unsprung weight.

Visual changes are hardly understated as the Ferrari Dealers Edition cops an aggressive front spoiler, rear diffuser, side skirts, charcoal-coloured alloys and Ferrari decals (as well as prancing horse badge on the grill). Added cooling for the engine bay comes via a NACA duct and vents in the bonnet

Despite its inputs, Pogea Racing has seen fit to let the iconic Abarth scorpion badge retain pride of place on the nose and rump.

A warranty for engine, turbo, and transmission is optional, and Pogea Racing also offers a range of individualisation services, such as leather work, bespoke suspension systems and carbonfibre parts. Be prepared to pay though, because "prices for the smallest change begin at 3400€ ($4985)".

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