The storied Italian design company Bertone, probably best known for cars like the Lamborghini Miura and Fiat X1/9, is looking to revive one of its concepts from the 1960s as an actual production car.The original Runabout concept was as space-age as it could beThe Autobianchi A112 Runabout was unveiled at the 1969 Turin Auto Show, the Runabout and while it wasn’t directly produced, it served as a heavy inspiration for the aforementioned Fiat X1/9.
Autobianchi A112 Runabout ConceptGetty Images/Bertone
I was fortunate enough to see the Autobianchi A112 Runabout in person on the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance grounds back in 2022 when it was on display from the Automotoclub Storico Italiano and won the Gran Turismo Trophy. To me, it looked like the closest we would ever get to a sci-fi-inspired Moon rover, especially given its huge rollbar spotlights.Key design features migrated from the Runabout concept to productionUnder the direction of brothers Jean-Franck and Mauro Ricci who saved Bertone from extinction in 2022, the Runabout will finally see production sometime around 2026. It looks a little more modern than its 1969 counterpart, but many of the distinct details that turned heads back then remain intact.
Bertone Runabout Production Car RearBertone
The overall wedge shape, rear integrated rollbar, two seats, wraparound dashboard, center-mounted compass, and unique steering wheel make a welcome return to the production version.Those rollbar spotlights are understandably gone and Bertone also added doors, allowing anyone who isn’t an Olympic athlete to drive it too. Another interesting feature is the addition of pop-up headlights, although whether those will actually see the light of day (pun intended) remains to be seen.
Bertone Runabout Production Car InteriorBertone
A combustion engine and possibly a manual transmission will power the RunaboutPower is slated to come from a 500 hp V6 engine of unknown make that will be mated to some kind of transmission. We’re not ones to speculate, but the published renders sure do seem to feature a manual transmission.
Bertone Runabout Production Car TopBertone
Only a few examples of the Runabout will be produced with pricing starting at €350,000 or $381,640. This would reportedly be the first in a line of concept revivals that Bertone plans to bring to life.Another concept that Bertone could bring back (please)
Alfa Romeo Carabo ConceptMatthias v.d. Elbe under CC BY-SA 4.0
While on the topic of wedge-shaped future mobiles that Bertone should revive, remember the Alfa Romeo Carabo? It was as if a Lamborghini Countach, also a Bertone creation, played Cyberpunk 2077 for hours on end and saw a plastic surgeon afterward. It was a fully functioning concept car built on the chassis of an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. Imagine if that made it to production.