One of last year’s great concepts is finally in production.
Bertone revealed that there were plans to build not one, but two cars based on the 1969 Autobianchi A112 Runabout. The coachbuilder plans to release Barchetta and Targa versions of the redesigned sports car and plans to build only 25 units.
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The A112 Runabout made its debut at the Turin Motor Show in October 1969. Designed by Bertone legend Marcello Gandini, this striking prototype was a small Barchetta that shared a transverse mid-engine layout with the designer’s more famous Lamborghini Miura. The small two-door car is envisioned as a replacement for the Fiat 850 Spider, which the coachbuilder has been building for the Italian automaker. But, as is often the case with most concept cars in the past, the car never made it to production, instead becoming one of the greatest Italian automotive “what ifs” of the last century.
Now, nearly 60 years later, Bertone has decided to finally put the car into production. The new roundabout is not a faithful recreation of the original concept. This is a vibrant reinterpretation. Motor1.com notes that its wedge-shaped carbon fiber body is roughly the same size as a Mazda Miata, is sleeker than its predecessor, and features pop-up headlights. But the biggest change is that the Targa version will include a removable roof panel. The cabin has a decidedly retro feel, including plenty of physical controls, but there’s still a digital instrument display in the cockpit.
Top Gear reports that the Runabout is built on a modified Lotus chassis. It’s powered by a Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter supercharged V-6 mated to a six-speed manual transmission (yes, it’s a stick shift) that produces 475 horsepower and 361 foot-pounds of torque. Bertone says it will be able to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 168 mph, numbers that will easily surpass what the concept car is capable of in production.
Are you looking for a stylish two-seater? If you want to book a runabout, you may want to contact Bertone quickly. Just be prepared to spend the money. Each of the 25 cars, whether a Barchetta or Targa model, will cost 390,000 euros, or about $463,000.
Click here to see more photos of Bertone Runabout.
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