German tuner Pogea Racing has chosen a
very rare Abarth model, the 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition,
to give a comprehensive upgrade with power boosted to
268 hp through a new turbocharger, intercooler, ECU
upgrade and exhaust. Other upgrades made to the Scorpion
sports car include 4-pot brake calipers and interior
customisation.
The standard engine of this special
edition, just 200 units were built in 2008 for use by
Ferrari's European dealer network, is already relatively
strong, coming with 165PS and 230Nm. Pogea Racing
increases the performance of the small Italian model by
adding 100hp on top of the standard engine, producing
268PS and 330 Nm total power. The Pogea Racing model was
also measured and developed on one of the most modern
all-wheel drive dynamometers. To get this power out of
the mighty Italian car, they changed the exhaust system
and replaced it with a larger stainless steel exhaust
system, modified downpipe, and a new catalytic
converter. The tailpipes can be chosen by the customer
from many available designs.
The hardest part of the development
process was to avoid using a separate tuning unit. Pogea
Racing preffered to retain the OEM ECU of the Abarth
500, instead of relying on a separate controller unit.
Pogea Racing has thus developed the software data to
work directly with the vehicle’s ECU. This assures that
instructions that are sent from the ECU direct all
normal functions of the car properly.
Power comes from the new hybrid turbocharger from Pogea
Racing. Currently, there are two turbocharger variants
that the customer can choose from. To add cooling to
both the intake air, and to lower the combustion
temperature, a modified Intake cooling system was
created. A center-mount, larger, more efficient
intercooler replaces the two smaller original
intercoolers. Additional air is being pumped into the
engine compartment to cool the accessories via the
carbon fiber parts of the Assetto Corse. Fuel injection
is optimised by changing fuel pressure valves and using
upgraded Bosch fuel injectors.
For increased stopping power Pogea Racing upgraded the
OEM Brake system with their 4-piston brake assembly.
This detail is very important to Pogea Racing, and they
developed a brake system with identical weight to the
OEM brake system, but about 1,8m reduced braking
distance when compared to the OEM brakes. The customer
can round up the entire kit with TÜV approval in Germany
and with an optional warranty for engine, turbo, and
transmission. Pogea Racing completes its tuning work at
their headquarters in the center at the Bodensee.
Apart from the performance cure Pogea Racing also offers
Assetto Corse Parts as legal TÜV approved parts dealer
in Germany for the current models. The parts come
directly from the factory in Italy. Pogea Racing has
other services; leather work, individual suspension
systems, and carbon fibre parts can also be part of your
individualisation.
