The main area of the 1.4-litre turbocharged Abarth 500 to be reworked by the German concern is under the bonnet and here Novitec claims to have developed various new performance kits for the 135 hp (99 kW) four-cylinder engined car which boost the power in different stages between 164 hp (121 kW) to 212 hp (156 kW). 

The Novitec NT4-Corse power upgrade kit costs 3,016 euros and delivers an increase in power output of 77 hp (57 kW). It consists, say Novitec, of a special turbocharger, a more efficient air supply, an optimised air-cleaner box with a sport air-filter cartridge, the Novitec Corse high performance exhaust system, larger injection nozzles and a special fuel pressure control. In addition to these changes the engine's electronics system is upgraded with the Novitec's Powerjet 2 auxiliary control unit.

The Novitec NT4-Corse tuning kit thus boosts power of the turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine to a claimed 212 hp (156 kW). Maximum torque grows from the standard Abarth 500's 206 Nm to a claimed 325 Nm, peak torque being hit at 3,400 rpm. This all means that the Novitec-tuned Abarth 500 1.4 Turbo can accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 6.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 223 km/h.

With or without the engine tuning option, Novitec's stainless-steel sport mufflers and high performance exhaust systems are available with either one or two tailpipes and in various shapes and they add up to lend the Abarth 500 a visually upgraded rear view along with a more powerful engine sound and optimised performance.

Novitec adds a more sporty character to the suspension of the Abarth 500 as customers can also choose a sport spring kit which lowers the ride height by some 35 millimeters or a height-adjustable Novitec sport suspension made from stainless steel. The latter includes somewhat stiffer gas-pressurised shocks and, Novitec claims, gives the top-of-the-line model of the 500 range even more agile handling characteristics.

Matched to the sportier suspension settings are custom-tailored one-piece Novitec N10 light alloy wheels with 17- or 18-inch diameters. The 7.5Jx17 wheels can be fitted with low-profile tyres in sizes 215/40 R 17at both the front and rear. The wheels are optionally available in silver polished or matte black painted specification. A set of wheels and tyres starts at 1,106 euros. Especially extravagant requests can be fulfilled with Novitec's N10 8Jx18 wheels shod with 215/35 R 18 tyres which make full use of the available space in the wheel wells. The rim design with eight double spokes is available in different colors or polished versions.