Lazzarini Design Studio Wants Investment For Ferrari-Powered Fiat 500

Lazzarini Design Studio is looking for a $550,000 investment to develop a Fiat 500Fiat 500 (modern)Italy, 2007 > present240 versions
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with a mid-mounted 4.5 liter V8 from a Ferrari F458Ferrari 458 ItaliaItaly, 2009 > present676 photos
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de-tuned to 550hp. Lazzarini calls the car the 550 Italia. 

While Lazzarini has not actually built a car yet, it has done the engineering work to assure investors that the Ferrari V8 will fit in the middle of a Fiat 500 and be completely functional. If it gets the investment, it will have a widebody kit that widens the car by 300mm on each side in the rear and enlarged by 200mm on each side in the front. To fit the engine, Lazzarini obviously has to remove the rear seats and rear cargo area. In its place, Lazzarini will fit not just the Ferrari V8, suspension, differential and transmission. To get air to the engine there is a roof-mounted air scope and an air scope mounted on each rear fender. The fender-mounted scopes also cool the brakes, transmission and differential. The fuel tank has been moved to the front of the car

Lazzarini has simulated the car and made the decision to detune to it from 570hp to 550hp because it could destabilize the car under hard gear changes if left at the standard power level. Lazzarini also is adding 300mm to the wheelbase to allow the transmission to fit into the car. The wheels are 19in in the rear and 18in at the front.

Total weight of the 550 Italia is 2200lbs, which is about 1,000lbs less than a 458 Italia.