Not Just Cute: Fiat 500 Abarth Is All About Italian Performance

Want a shot of adrenaline? Just looking at the Abarth-tuned Fiat 500, set to

debut at this year's Geneva motor show, should get your heart racing.

Fiat's baby 500 has been the belle of this year's auto show scene, not to mention that the cute little mini-compact is also one of the hottest on Europe's roads and might possibly be on its way to North America, making us hope it'll come with Abarth tuning.

Everything about the 500 Abarth is functional, from the blistered wheel arches for the wider wheels, to the bulge on the hood that grants extra space for the turbo. The body kit has been tuned aerodynamically to direct the flow of air under the car, improving handling at high speeds. And with a top speed of 130 mph, it isn't just for show.

The Abarth-tuned model has a lot of potential to be a blast to drive. The tiny hatchback, which weighs little over 1,984 pounds, is powered by a tweaked version of the brand's 1.4-liter inline-four with a tiny turbo. When the Sport mode is selected, the 500 can churn up to 135 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, which hits the front wheels through a five-speed manual. Fiat is using an electronically controlled torque transfer system to ensure that it steers as well as it accelerates (0-60 mph in about 7 seconds, btw).

Along with the special wheels, classic striping and the uprated suspension, the 500 Abarth also gains a new LED tachometer with shift-up light, plus Abarth-specific goodies like a custom exhaust system that features an embossed scorpion as its logo.