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We spotted this cute little 500 Abarth on Hamann's show stand in Frankfurt last week, and now the German tuner has given us a load more details on the tuned-up, camouflaged Cinq.
They call it the Largo (which sounds like a primary school insult for the wheezing lad who can't do cross-country and, in fact, turns out to be almost exactly that - Largo is the Italian for ‘wide') and despite its GI Jane visuals, it should be scary-fast.
It puts out a daft 261bhp from a tuned-up version of Fiat's 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, which is 100bhp more than the top-spec ‘Esseesse' Abarth 500. That's a ridiculous amount of power for something with the approximate dimensions of a bar of soap.
Hamann hasn't released any performance figures, but when you consider that the Esseesse Abarth 500 will hit 60mph in 7.4 seconds, we reckon you could be looking at a Cinq that'll outsprint a Focus RS. If, that is, it can get that power onto the road without spearing merrily into a tree/wall/ocean.
To which end, Hamann has dropped the 500 on its springs by 6cm, and given it a wider track with bigger wheels and a new rear diffuser. You'll have spotted that delicate little bodykit, too.
As you'll know, we're generally somewhat sceptical of the efforts of Germany's finest tuners, but we can't help feeling all warm and fuzzy about this loony little 500. It's like a big-eyed teddy bear... armed with a flick knife. Anyone else feeling the love?
Hamann’s 261bhp 500 Abarth
German tuning firm turns cutesy city car into flame-spitting mini-monster, makes us feel all warm and fuzzy
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What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
Gergo commented on this article
at 01:30 pm on 22 September 2009
The ferrari version is better
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Da_Vincentius commented on this article
at 02:07 pm on 22 September 2009
This will be EVIL to drive, oversteer, understeer, torquesteer, it will have the lot.
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chpsracing commented on this article
at 02:11 pm on 22 September 2009
I saw this car last week at the IAA and really loved it. I would just take off the "camouflage" and buy it in black. I'd keep the wheels though.
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Minimal1ty commented on this article
at 02:16 pm on 22 September 2009
I like the styling of the ferrari one more...what I don't like is how the big brand companies can't go "crazy" and give the car a big amount of horsepower...They should somehow work together..let hamann do the engine and ferrari the rest...
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Showie commented on this article
at 02:36 pm on 22 September 2009
oh my.. i didn't realize it was possible to make something so cute, so ugly.. Fiat make it look.. chick (good) Abarth rough it up a touch and make it look fun (good) Ferrari get to it and make it look beautiful (good), then Hamann give it a stupid paint job and a very ugly body kit (bad). rear diffuser looks mean though...
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