The Bertone Runabout: An Aristocratic Revival of 1960s Futurism
At the house of Bertone, history is viewed not as a dusty archive but as a living blueprint ready to be unleashed onto modern asphalt. Their latest protagonist is the legendary 1969 Autobianchi A112 Runabout concept. Once a wedge shaped masterpiece that previewed the future of Fiat and Lancia sports cars, it has been reborn as a production reality. This machine blends the brash optimism of the last century with sophisticated British engineering, standing as a confident tribute to an era when car design felt more like naval architecture than a clinical exercise in wind tunnel efficiency.
While the new Bertone Runabout honors the iconic profile of its ancestor, it wisely abandons certain vintage inconveniences like the total absence of doors. The modern iteration features fully functional entry points and offers two distinct body styles: the roofless Barchetta or the Targa with its removable panels. Inside, the designers successfully captured that 1960s seaside atmosphere through a curated mix of leather and metal. In a charming nod to its nautical roots, the dashboard replaces the conventional luxury clock with a compass. Clearly, the style of the journey takes precedence over the destination.
Beneath the striking bodywork, Bertone made the pragmatic choice not to reinvent the wheel. Instead, they utilized the proven aluminum architecture of the Lotus Exige. This foundation ensures that the car delivers a raw, mechanical driving experience to match its dramatic looks. Powering the beast is a mid mounted 3.5 liter Toyota sourced V6 engine, tuned to deliver a potent 475 horsepower. This powerplant is paired with a traditional six speed manual gearbox. Given the curb weight of just over one thousand kilograms, the Runabout lunges to one hundred kilometers per hour in a mere 4.1 seconds.
As is customary with such high profile revivals, this is no mass market product. Bertone intends to handcraft only 25 examples, with prices starting at an astronomical 390,000 euros. The Runabout is explicitly designed for those who value design heritage and soul over raw statistics on a spec sheet.
We are currently witnessing a shift where the industry increasingly looks backward for inspiration. As future electric vehicles begin to feel somewhat sterile, low volume "retromods" like this provide a necessary dose of analog romance and the sharp, angular design that once changed the world.
