Giannini 350 GP4: the most radical version of the Fiat 500 yet

We have often talked about the beloved hot hatchbacks, small and mid-size vehicles with plenty of power. But there are still companies that want to take it even further and build compacts that are just as radical as, or more radical than, a supercar. This is the case of Giannini, an Italian brand that modifies several vehicles, including the small Fiat 500.

A few months ago, Giannini announced a Fiat 500 called the 350 GP. The Italian city car donned its finest supercar garb to make its debut and show what it was capable of. The 350 GP was presented with the Alfa Romeo 4C’s engine under its skin and, as if that were not enough, the engine had been tuned.

From the 240 CV the Italian sports car delivers as standard, the Fiat 500 went up to 350 once it was placed in Giannini’s hands. The 350 GP sent all that power to the rear axle and was paired with a manual gearbox. The 4C’s engine sat in a mid-engine position in the Fiat, with the aim of achieving an optimal weight distribution. Most impressive is that the complete Fiat 500 weighed just 1,250 kilograms, but Giannini concluded that this was not enough.

That idea gave birth to the 350 GP4, a Fiat 500 that follows the same philosophy as the 350 GP but with one small difference: the GP4 features four-wheel drive. This makes the most radical 500 far more manageable and less demanding to drive than the GP powered by the rear wheels. At the same time, the engine’s position has changed, returning to its usual location and seeking the best possible balance for the car.

Thanks to the relocation of the 1.7 engine inherited from the 4C, the 350 GP4 enjoys more interior space, as the rear seats return inside the 500. Even so, the presence of race-car elements is unavoidable, and comfort on the road will not be one of its virtues, although it does not seek it either.

The 500 GP4 offers an aggressive and very sporty look. It features numerous carbon-fibre parts and a new diffuser and splitter. The brakes have also been upgraded to six-piston Brembo units, aiming to stop this Italian beast as quickly as possible. No statements have been made about the price yet, but given that the 350 GP cost 150,000 euros, fitting the 4×4 system will considerably raise the final figure.