The pint-sized Fiat 500 has long been the antithesis of serious street performance, hailed as the ultimate city car… low pollution, minimum obtrusion. But now, thanks to Italy’s Lazzarini Design team, the annoying little 500 is transforming into an entirely new demon, a demon that is equipped with a Ferrari 458 Italia V8 engine.
WHAT???
Named the 550 Italia Prototipo Unico, this transformed Fiat is the ultimate Frankenstein street creation.
No doubt, on the surface, none of this will make any sense. But you have to admit, that’s what is kind of great about the car. One of the most baffling problems that you’re probably already asking yourself is: where in the hell are they going to fit that massive V8? Well, take a look at the answer…
Lazzarini goes on to give us all the details about the new set up, saying:
To accommodate the high performance Ferrari motor into the Fiat cinquecento, its stock front engine, the rear seating and all of its back package has been removed. as well as this, the original wheelbase, measuring 230cm, has been increased by 35cm in order to provide aligned transmission.
The automobile itself is 35cm wider at its rear and around 25cm fatter in the front, when compared to the ‘cinquecento’. Transferring more than just a prancing horse’s motor, the vehicle also includes their gearbox, transmission and suspension-including rear-block. Weighing 500kg lighter than the standard model, the unique ‘550 italia’ is expected to cost $550,000 USD.
The whole thing is insane, right? Well, not as insane as its price tag, which Lazzarini has set at $550,000. I bet you never thought you’d see a Fiat going for that much, huh?
4Wheel Online Blog - Automotive News 