Sometimes all it takes is a video on Instagram to discover a completely crazy car modification. That’s exactly what happened to us when we came across a post by Lorenzo Cioni, featuring a Abarth 500 Yellow, with a particularly muscular body. But behind its oversized fenders lies a real little powerhouse with 350 ch, equipped with a’Alfa Romeo 4C and all-wheel drive. And above all, a story that’s much more interesting than just a custom build!
An Abarth 500 that has almost nothing left of its original parts
At first glance, it's hard not to recognize the silhouette of the little Fiat 500, redesigned in the style of Abarth. Yet this car has undergone a radical transformation. Its body has been widened by 15 centimeters on each side—an additional 30 centimeters in total! Its XXL fenders, air intakes, and imposing rear diffuser immediately set the tone.
Under the hood, the traditional 1.4 T-Jet engine is gone. Instead, there’s the 1750 TBi four-cylinder engine, well known to Alfa Romeo enthusiasts since it powered the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde and the sporty 4C. Here, it delivers no less than 350 ch!
But the real surprise lies in the drivetrain. This little Abarth is now an all-wheel-drive vehicle, with variable torque distribution ranging from 50/50 to 20/80 between the front and rear. Two limited-slip differentials round out the package, paired with a six-speed manual transmission.
Of course, the chassis hasn’t been overlooked, featuring four-way-adjustable Öhlins TTX suspension, Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers up front and four-piston calipers in the rear, as well as 355- and 330-mm rotors. Add to that forged wheels, a roll cage, and a body that makes extensive use of carbon fiber. And the most surprising part? This machine is reportedly street-legal!
Bonetto B1-4WD: Much More Than Just a Tuned Abarth
As we looked into it further, we discovered that this car isn’t even officially called an Abarth anymore. It’s the Bonetto B1-4WD, a creation by Italian craftsman Alessandro Bonetto. A name that meant absolutely nothing to us until now, but whose story is worth exploring. Born in 1986 in Avigliana, near Turin, Alessandro Bonetto grew up in the world of motorsports. His father, Marco, was a rally driver and tuner who had worked with the famous engine builder Virgilio Conrero, among others.
In 2004, Alessandro joined Abarth’s racing department, where he worked for six years. In 2010, he collaborated with tuning specialist Beppe Volta on several projects, including the legendary Lancia ECV1. After co-founding BDL Motorsport in 2011, he finally established Bonetto CV in 2016, with the goal of building exclusive sports cars and one-of-a-kind models.
And behind Bonetto, a connection to Kimera!
It was while exploring the Bonetto site that we discovered another surprise: The Kimera EVO37 is one of its achievements! This spectacular reinterpretation of the Lancia 037, producing 505 ch, even has its own technical specifications page on the craftsman’s website. Better yet, Kimera Automobili and Italtecnica are officially listed among Bonetto CV’s partners. Not to mention the many Kimera EVO37s that pass through their workshop. This confirms the ties between these Italian specialists and their involvement in the world of exceptional restomods.
It remains to be seen exactly what role Alessandro Bonetto played in the development of the EVO37, and whether this collaboration continued with the EVO38 and EVO39. One thing is certain: this astonishing B1-4WD has introduced us to a fascinating Italian craftsman whose expertise goes far beyond simply tuning an Abarth 500!
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