There’s an entire evening at your favourite public house to be spent discussing the best Bertone concept cars that ever there has been. From the models it has created for other companies like the Lamborghini Marzal or Opel Slalom, to those it’s made under its own name - think Pirana and Nuccio - it’s some back catalogue. With car design under more strictures than ever, so the freedom of the old days looks even more exciting. It’s something Bertone itself is hoping to cash in on with the reinterpretation of its stunning Runabount concept.
Originally shown in 1969, the Autobianchi Bertone Runabout was a Marcello Gandini design; the Runabout notable for having its engine transversely mounted in the middle of the car, a novelty back then and only just seen on the Lamborghini Miura - another Gandini masterpiece. Even with just 1.1 litres and four cylinders, the Runabout was exotic, futuristic and innovative, credited with providing the inspiration for the Fiat X1/9.
The modern Bertone Runabout is predictably a little more potent than either the original or the Fiat production car. The 25 new versions will be powered by a mid-mounted, transverse engine once more, though now a 460hp V6, paired exclusively to a six-speed, close-ratio manual. It isn’t clear yet where the powertrain is from - or indeed what sort of architecture the Runabout is built upon - but those do rather seem like secondary concerns given what Bertone is suggesting the Runabout will look like.
Yes, these are digital previews, and yes, everything looks better without a windscreen, but as an amalgamation of classic '60s glamour, '70s wedginess and contemporary attitude - while remaining faithful to the original Runabout - it’s a thumbs up from us. Modern lighting has helped keep the incredibly pointy front end, while the Coda Tronca - ‘ a modern interpretation of the classic truncated tail with round taillights’ - makes for an unmistakable rear as well, complete with the fuel filler basically on the roof. This doesn’t seem like a mere homage to an old concept; if inevitably larger than a car based on an Autobianchi A112, it really is as daring as we might have hoped for a 2025 Runabout.
Bertone will offer two body configurations for the new car, a Targa with screen and roof for some protection or the Barchetta, the variant described as offering ‘an unfiltered connection to the road.’ The latter is surely going to be the more popular Runabout, if only from a style perspective. Both derivatives will feature a Ferrari-style S-duct in the front to benefit cooling and downforce, with a ‘signature horizontal line’ under the lights of the Runabout ‘accentuating its bold stance and tying together the sculpted fenders.’ The latest renderings show off the Bertone in three colourways: Rame Antico (copper, said to be inspired by ‘classic Italian craftsmanship), Azzurro Mediterraneo to evoke the sea, and Bianco Perla ‘reminiscent of Italy’s finest marble.’ Presumably customers will be able to spec any colour combination they wish.
Pre-orders for the Runabout are being accepted now, with production set to kick off next year. The starting price is €350,000 plus VAT; assuming 20 per cent taxes that’s €420k, or £350,000 at current exchange rates. Which is a chunk of change, for sure, though people are spending that on new Porsche 911s right now. And not even the craziest paint to sample will stand out against a reimagined Runabout. Bertone even suggests this will ‘redefine modern driving dynamics’ - fingers crossed there’s more info to follow soon.
1 / 6
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4 3"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1 1"%3E%3C/svg%3E)