Funky though the Bertone Runabout concept undoubtedly was, fusing retro 60s style with modern presence and performance, there was a lingering concern that it might not make reality. Not enough interest from prospective buyers, supply issues and everything else that besets the car industry at the moment seemed against it. But we needn’t have worried: here’s the finished Bertone Runabout, set to stun the crowds at Retromobile this week ahead of a 25-unit production run kicking off very soon. For the car collector that has it all (and there are plenty of those in Paris this week), it could make a fine addition to the portfolio.
Because when did you see anything that looks like this? We live in a world where both generations of Honda NSX have been reimagined in as many months; to see something properly different, albeit retro inspired, is such a pleasure to see. To all intents and purposes this is identical to the renders, with that unmistakable wedge of a silhouette, squat dimensions and amazing ‘coda tronca’ backside. The Runabout sits just 3,990mm long (with a 2,369mm wheelbase), 1,933mm wide and just 1,116mm tall; it really does resemble little else. Kerbweight is said to be just 1,057kg. ‘Uniting the legacy of Italian classic coachbuilding culture with contemporary automotive design’, the press release suggests, ‘the new Runabout transforms a historic Bertone vision into a modern sculpture of advanced performance, design purity and proportion-driven artistry.’ This isn’t just for show, you see - this is intended as a proper little sports car as well. The body is carbon, the chassis is bonded aluminium with extruded aluminum architecture (remember that bit), the dampers are three-way adjustable and the wheels are forged. Passers-by will enjoy gawping at the Bertone, for sure, but the lucky person behind the wheel ought to be having a great time as well.
Power is rated at 475hp which, hooked up to a close-ratio six-speed manual and with that supermini-rivalling kerbweight, should mean 0-62mph in just 4.1 seconds. Probably more comfortable in the Targa, with a removable roof, than the pure Barchetta. Power comes from a 3.5-litre V6 with an Eaton/Edelbrock TVS supercharger. And, well, which other lightweight mid-engined sports car uses bonded and extruded aluminum in its construction with power from a supercharged 3.5 V6? You don’t need us to tell you. And nobody needs any reminding of how exciting that package can be - now imagine it with coachbuilt glamour draped over the top.
Bertone says the interior is ‘inspired by naval forms’, with a horizontal dash like a boat’s deck, a tub shaped like a hull - there’s even a nautical compass. While there’s not much to the interior, which will keep weight down, luxurious materials abound, with milled aluminium switches, hand finished leather and a carbon seat shell. All the driver can see ahead of them is a digital revcounter, ‘reducing visual clutter and maintaining focus.’ Given how exposed the Barchetta is, it’ll be a miracle if the driver can see anything at all - but they will look cool…
They’ll also be given the VIP treatment by Bertone, with a ‘curated configuration’ journey alongside the design team to get the spec bob on. There’s not a fixed split on the 25 units, either, so it could end up with the Targa vastly outnumbering the Barchetta, or the other way around. Safe to say that none of the Runabouts are going to look the same, and they’re going to steal attention wherever they end up.
That should be out in the real world, too, as by modern reimagination standards this Bertone isn’t ludicrously expensive. While 390,000 euros (£340k) plus taxes is hardly going to have us all picking up the phone to Turin, in a world so familiar with many millions it’s unexpected. Interestingly, too, Bertone says that the Runabout is the ‘first of the Classic Line’, so there could be more retro concepts rejuvenated in future. If they’re anything like as cool as this, Bertone’s going to be busy. And for more realistic budgets, check this out: a Fiat X1/9, also designed by Bertone and said to have been inspired by the original Runabout. Not an unreasonable assertion - this one’s less than £10,000, too…
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