Friday 24th March 2017

400hp Abarth 500!

Concerned modern hot hatches are too safe and sanitised? Pogea Racing has a solution

---

When you see power figures attached to cars that seemingly make absolutely no sense, the sensible logic is to assume an engine swap has take place. Crate engines are reasonably easy to get hold of - or you could source a damaged car - then very clever people can make it work with the donor vehicle of your choice.

That's how you get a 400hp 500, right? Oh no. It's still a 1.4. 1.4 litres, 400hp. Lunatics. Pogea Racing has worked with Abarth specialist Enrico Scaravelli to achieve this, strengthening the block and adding forged pistons, a new crank, spikier cams, bigger exhaust valves, an "enlarged" turbocharger and a whole host of other tweaks to both create and control that monstrous power. With 328lb ft, Pogea is claiming 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 178mph. In a Fiat 500!

Beyond the engine upgrades, this 500 also gets fully adjustable KW Clubsport suspension, much bigger brakes - probably a good idea - and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. It's said to weigh 977kg fuelled and ready to go...

Perhaps the most obvious external change from Pogea though is the carbon widebody kit, the 500 now 48mm wider at both axles and filled out with wheels spacers. Does it give the 500 a bit of attitude to go with 400hp? Is it a little too much? Over to you...

Now that widebody can be had in plastic too, which will save a bit of cash to put towards that monster engine. As you may have guessed, making a 400hp 500 doesn't come cheap. It costs 62,000 euros on top of a base Abarth, with the widebody adding another 21,000. But then there will only be five, so exclusivity is guaranteed. Manual only, too. Pogea will even offer a warranty, albeit through a third-party provider. If you're feeling brave...

[Source: Autoevolution]

[steveb8189]

Yes, it is absolutely ridiculous and no, I doubt it will go round corners but as a showcase of what can be done it looks great.

I wonder how much the 3rd party charge for the warranty! A reliable 400bhp from a 1.4 must be pretty tough to achieve.

[Dave Hedgehog]

poke your chiron i want one of these

[Centurion07]

Loving this wee little beasty!

ETA: just seen the price. 83K EUROS ON TOP OF THE COST OF THE CAR?!!?!?!?!?!? Jeez, you'd have to reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally love the 500 to spend that wouldn't you?

[PhantomPH]

Why would it not go round corners?!

Loved it until I saw the rear bumper. That's not great, but the wide arches etc are fantastic.

[Centurion07]

PhantomPH said:

Why would it not go round corners?!

Loved it until I saw the rear bumper. That's not great, but the wide arches etc are fantastic.

Rear looks like Grumpy Cat.

[Krikkit]

280hp/litre... Can't see that lasting long!

[R66STU]

I have just got rid of an abarth 595 competizione. That was way more than enogh power in one of these. 400bhp to me just sounds stupid. my car as standard was 180bhp & 0-60 in 6.7 and that felt crazy fast enough.. and when you really gave it the hammer it would spin, and get wild. I can only imagine 400bhp would end in tears..

[J4CKO]

R66STU said:

I have just got rid of an abarth 595 competizione. That was way more than enogh power in one of these. 400bhp to me just sounds stupid. my car as standard was 180bhp & 0-60 in 6.7 and that felt crazy fast enough.. and when you really gave it the hammer it would spin, and get wild. I can only imagine 400bhp would end in tears..

I drove one of those and agree, barking as it was.

[MrBarry123]

PhantomPH said:

Why would it not go round corners?!

Loved it until I saw the rear bumper. That's not great, but the wide arches etc are fantastic.

Because it has the latest craze in modified cars: a fixed steering wheel.

[R66STU]

favorite pic of mine was the back.. its what most people saw

Such a fun car to boot around, and really surprises bigger cars...

[micksims]

4.7 to 60? would have thought it would be quicker than that? My SQ5 weighs twice as much, 91hp down on this and still does it in 5.1!! Ok its 4wd but really!?

[vsonix]

It's cool... but the interior isn't very nice especially the rear seats.

[RemyMartin81D]

micksims said:

4.7 to 60? would have thought it would be quicker than that? My SQ5 weighs twice as much, 91hp down on this and still does it in 5.1!! Ok its 4wd but really!?

Yeah but from a rolling start it would annihilate it.

TBh I'm surprised it's able to do 4.7.

[IanCress]

micksims said:

4.7 to 60? would have thought it would be quicker than that? My SQ5 weighs twice as much, 91hp down on this and still does it in 5.1!! Ok its 4wd but really!?

I think it's still front wheel drive. I can't see anything that says otherwise.
Also it's manual, rather than your DSG equipped SQ5.

[FN2TypeR]

That is awesome, I love it

The rear bumper looks a bit pants though, but the overall concept/idea is amazing - I bet it's great fun.

[The Vambo]

R66STU said:

favorite pic of mine was the back.. its what most people saw

They weeble and they wobble.....

[culpz]

Epic! I can only imagine the turbo lag though with that power from a 1.4, regardless of what other work it's had done.

Good job getting that kind of performance without giving it a much bigger engine! Hats off to them.

[Oddball RS]

micksims said:

4.7 to 60? would have thought it would be quicker than that? My SQ5 weighs twice as much, 91hp down on this and still does it in 5.1!! Ok its 4wd but really!?

I love it, answers own question. ....4wd but really!? YES.

[Renn Sport]

Shame the engine is in the wrong place.

May have been nice to have the engine in the back or mid mounted like a Renault 5 Turbo. Then the scorpion would have sting in its tail.

saying that.. its still an amazing piece of engineering deriving 400bhp from the front mounted 1.4

[mac96]

micksims said:

4.7 to 60? would have thought it would be quicker than that? My SQ5 weighs twice as much, 91hp down on this and still does it in 5.1!! Ok its 4wd but really!?

That was my thought too. Its roughly the same power as my Mustang, half the weight, and the same quoted acceleration. Perhaps it has very high gearing.

Great idea though- I love it that people can create lunacy like this.