A 1969 concept becomes a 500 horsepower supercar!

Italian manufacturer Bertone has just unveiled a supercar that pays homage to one of its concepts dating from 1969.

In 1969Bertone presented his legendary concept Autobianchi A112 Runabout at the Turin Motor Show, Italy. Now this car is reborn as supercar modern with 500 horsepower.

Bertone pays tribute to the Autobianchi A112 Runabout

There are more than 50 ansthis concept quickly stood out for its bold design. It has often been recognized by its wedge shape, its retractable headlights and its clean lines. Originally, this concept was designed by the Bertone studio. This same concept had also served as a source of inspiration for the Fiat X1/9. Now, Bertone has decided to revisit the Runabout by giving it new life. It now takes the form of a modern supercar with futuristic lookbut still respectful of its roots.

The new Runabout was designed under the direction of current head of design at Bertone, Andrea Mocellin. This new supercar retains the soul of the original while offering a choice of configurations. There is a version Small boat without roof and a model Targa with a removable hardtop. Andrea Mocellin also spoke about this vehicle:

“The new Bertone Runabout is not just an object of design, but a celebration of the Italian tradition of spectacular sports cars, designed for driving pleasure and joie de vivre.”

While remaining faithful to the spirit of the A112 Runabout, Bertone has sculpted this new model around two simple lines which clearly embody the purity of Italian design.

A supercar with increased power levels

The design is indeed reminiscent of the original concept, but under the hood everything has changed. This new version truly enters a new dimension of performance. In 1969, the Autobianchi A112 only developed 54 horsespowered by a simple 1.1-liter four-cylinder engine. From now on, the new model will be equipped with a powerful V6 engine developing 500 horsepower. The performance of the small compact from the 1960s has been well surpassed.

One thing is certain, this modern reinterpretation is a real racing car. Bertone plans to begin production of this model in 2026. This will be a very limited edition announced at a price of approximately 350 000 euros.

With this supercar, Bertone aims to once again mark the history of Italian automobiles. By combining nostalgic design with impressive modern performance, it seems they have what it takes to succeed. This rare piece should pay homage to the past while setting a new standard of luxury and power.