Italian aftermarket firm Aznom has moved the engine in the Fiat 500 Abarth Esseesse one notch closer to its proper place (ie out behind the rear axles) by creating a mid-engined version of the Italian hatch.
In place of the back seats goes a 230bhp version of the blown 1.4 Abarth engine. Driving the rear wheels.
The car is called the Motore Centrale R230 (we can see how that name came about), and Aznom claims a top speed of 155mph, with the 0-62mph sprint covered in around 5.0 seconds. Hilariously, Aznom says it is working on a lightweight 900kg track version with up to 280bhp.
But for now fans of maddened Abarths will have to 'make do' with the road version, which gets larger brakes, its engine mounted in a custom cradle, and Bilstein suspension.
No prices have as yet been revealed for the car, which will make its public debut at the Top Marques show in Monaco this week.