Bertone Runabout: A Modern Masterpiece Paying Homage to Automotive History
The automotive landscape, especially in the realm of bespoke sports cars, often feels like a recurring dream. We witness the re
surgence of iconic designs, reinterpreted for the contemporary era, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge engineering. For enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate the artistry and performance of classic automotive design, the re-emergence of the Bertone Runabout is a truly significant event. This isn’t merely a nostalgic nod; it’s a fully realized, limited-production sports car that embodies the spirit of its 1969 ancestor while leveraging the formidable capabilities of modern Lotus and Toyota powertrains. As an industry veteran with a decade immersed in the nuances of high-performance automotive development and marketing, I can attest that the Bertone Runabout represents a masterful fusion of heritage and innovation, positioning itself as a highly desirable retro sports car with pop-up headlights.
For decades, styling houses like Pininfarina have dominated the conversation around automotive elegance and groundbreaking concepts. However, Bertone, a name synonymous with automotive daring and bold design, has always carved its own unique path. Now, a decade after navigating a period of financial restructuring, the revived Italian marque is making a powerful statement with its second limited-edition offering: the Runabout. This sports car directly draws inspiration from a captivating Bertone concept conceived in 1969. Yet, it’s been meticulously updated with contemporary flourishes, most notably the return of beloved pop-up headlights and the adoption of advanced Lotus underpinnings. This revival taps into a deep well of automotive passion, offering a unique proposition in a market increasingly saturated with predictable designs. The Bertone Runabout price reflects its exclusive nature, commanding a significant investment for those seeking automotive artistry.
The genesis of the original Runabout concept lies in the 1969 Turin Auto Show, where it was presented for Autobianchi. It was envisioned as a mid-engine barchetta, a lightweight, open-top sports car, powered by the engine from an Autobianchi A111 sedan, coupled with a four-speed transmission. Its design was heavily influenced by nautical aesthetics, evident in its distinctive wedge-shaped body, a striking two-tone paint scheme, and a prominent rear rollover bar that cleverly integrated the vehicle’s headlights. The impact of this design was profound. It proved so compelling that Fiat utilized it as the foundational blueprint for the iconic X1/9. This mid-engine sports car enjoyed a successful production run under the Fiat brand from 1972 to 1982, and later transitioned to being sold as a Bertone from 1982 to 1989, cementing its place in automotive lore. Understanding this lineage is crucial to appreciating the depth of the modern Bertone Runabout.
However, this contemporary iteration of the Bertone Runabout transcends the boundaries of a mere concept. Bertone has committed to producing a strictly limited run of just 25 units, with pricing starting at the equivalent of $464,000 (€390,000). This elevated Bertone Runabout cost is indicative of its bespoke nature and the sophisticated components employed. The vehicle’s foundation is built upon the robust, all-aluminum chassis sourced directly from the Lotus Exige. Crucially, these chassis are not repurposed; they are acquired as “virgin pieces” – meaning they have never been incorporated into a production vehicle. The exquisite Runabout body is then meticulously bonded to these pristine structures, augmented by additional extruded aluminum architecture to achieve the desired form and structural integrity. This approach ensures both a high level of performance and a unique identity for each example.
Propelling this automotive sculpture is a formidable supercharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine, a powerhouse directly sourced from Toyota. This engine, renowned for its reliability and performance, has been thoughtfully enhanced for the Runabout. It features a custom exhaust system designed to optimize flow and enhance its aural character, unleashing an impressive output of up to 475 horsepower. Each of the 25 Bertone Runabouts produced will be officially classified for road use, boasting a completely unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), underscoring their individuality and exclusivity. This meticulous attention to detail in the powertrain and identification process further elevates the desirability of the new Bertone Runabout.
While the distinctive, fixed headlights of the original Autobianchi Runabout concept are absent – likely due to modern regulatory constraints rendering them impractical for road legality – the modern rendition expertly captures the spirit of the Fiat X1/9 by reintroducing the highly desirable pop-up headlights. This feature, a hallmark of sports cars from a bygone era, adds an undeniable charm and visual dynamism to the Runabout. Furthermore, Bertone offers owners the choice to experience the vehicle in its purest form as an open barchetta, mirroring the original concept, or as a more versatile targa top, reminiscent of the X1/9. The customization extends to the interior and exterior, allowing owners to specify their Runabout with an extensive palette of materials, colors, textures, and finishes, ensuring that each vehicle is a true personal statement. The ability to tailor these Italian sports car custom options makes the Bertone Runabout a truly bespoke creation.
Stepping inside the two-seater cockpit is an immersion into a world of tactile and visual delight. The dashboard design evokes the feel of a ship’s deck, a subtle nod to the nautical influences of the original concept. Centered within this artful arrangement is a functional compass, a charming and practical touch. The gear selection is managed by a gated six-speed manual shifter, its exposed mechanicals a testament to the raw, engaging driving experience Bertone aims to deliver. This focus on driver engagement, combined with the exquisite craftsmanship, positions the Runabout as a serious contender for those seeking an exotic car with manual transmission.
The Toyota V-6 engine’s forced induction is expertly handled by an Eaton/Edelbrock TVS supercharger system, featuring an integrated charge-air cooler to maximize efficiency and power delivery. Mirroring the now-discontinued Exige, the engine is mounted transversely, driving power to the rear wheels. These are shod with substantial 19-inch forged aluminum wheels, while the front wheels measure 18 inches. Bertone’s performance projections for the Runabout are nothing short of exhilarating: an estimated 0–60 mph acceleration time of just 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph. These figures place the Bertone Runabout performance squarely in the territory of serious sports cars. Enthusiasts looking for Lotus Exige performance upgrades might find inspiration in the engineering employed here.
Bertone has yet to announce a definitive production timeline for the Runabout, nor have they confirmed whether any of the 25 units will be officially imported and available for purchase in the United States. However, automotive aficionados will have the opportunity to witness the modern Bertone Runabout firsthand at the prestigious 2026 Retromobile auto show, held at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from January 29th to February 1st. It will be prominently displayed within the Ultimate Supercar Garage exhibit, sharing the spotlight with the innovative Bertone GB110 and the original 1969 Autobianchi concept. This display promises to be a significant draw for anyone captivated by automotive history and the future of high-performance design. For those in the Southern California area, the quest for rare sports cars Los Angeles might lead to exploring such exclusive events.
The resurgence of Bertone and the introduction of the Runabout is more than just the launch of a new car; it’s a celebration of automotive passion, design heritage, and engineering excellence. It’s a statement that true artistry in automotive design can coexist with exhilarating performance. For those who appreciate the confluence of retro aesthetics, cutting-edge technology, and limited-production exclusivity, the Bertone Runabout presents an unparalleled opportunity to own a piece of automotive history reimagined for the modern era.
If the allure of a handcrafted, retro-inspired sports car with exceptional performance and a rich lineage speaks to your automotive soul, now is the time to delve deeper. Explore the exclusive offerings from Bertone and consider how the Runabout could elevate your collection.
