Meet the hottest 500 ever built! This is the Abarth SS – a pocket rocket with an engine that’s the brainchild of the man behind the formidable V10s in Ferrari’s Formula One cars.

Legendary motorsport figure Paulo Martinelli has been credited with fine-tuning the four-cylinder in this model, which will hit the UK’s roads in the summer. Described as the ultimate incarnation of the Fiat-based Abarth 500, the top-of-the-range Super Sport, or SS, delivers enough performance to rival MINI’s flagship Cooper S.

The newcomer follows in the foot­steps of its older brother the Abarth Grande Punto SS, promising an uprated 1.4-litre turbo engine and racy looks.

As you can see from our images the Abarth SS will get an aggressive bodykit. What’s more, it is likely to be rounded off by a low front splitter, deep air intakes and twin bonnet vents.

At the rear, there are twin chrome exhausts, as well as a diffuser-style lower bumper. The white paintwork and contrasting red wing mirrors and side stripes are complemented by Abarth’s famous scorpion badging, which features on the wheels, grille and bootlid. Inside, the model has sporty instruments and figure-hugging bucket seats. But what will make the SS a truly special machine is the turbocharged unit under the bonnet.