This is the Runabot, the Italian supercar that comes from a 1969 concept

Sometimes, a car taking the form of a concept car does not guarantee that it will go into production. The innovations present in it are used, applied to other models that benefit from them, but without being a car as such. Others, on the other hand, receive a few changes to adapt them to real traffic and end up becoming a production model. The Bertone Runabot has had to wait nearly 60 years to become a reality.

Bertone has chosen the Autobianchi A112 Runabout, a concept car presented in 1969 to shape the Runabot. That show model gave shape to the Fiat X1/9 of 1972 and has been brought into the 21st century with its essence, but with current engineering work. This makes it a car that breathes the air of that decade, yet offers everything a 2026 car should offer.

A special edition of 25 units

It is not going to be an easy car to get, since only 25 units will be built. It will be presented at the Rétromobile Paris Show and will have a starting price of 390,000 euros, although with all the available add-ons it will come very close to half a million euros.

The Bertone Runabot has a length of 3,990 millimetres and carefully preserves the proportions of the original Runabot. Its wedge-shaped line makes it very recognisable, and the front is unmistakable, as it features retractable headlights, a signature feature of the original model. They are complemented by an LED strip, which gives a much more modern look.

The mudguards protrude from the ventilated bonnet and give the car a rather attractive look. The front wheels are 18 inches in size, while the rear ones measure 19 inches. The rear stands out with a sculpted roll bar, which rises above a short tail with round lights. The engine cover has a vintage style, and there is a minimalist bumper, framed by a carbon-fibre diffuser. There are four rectangular cut-outs, two of which are dedicated to the exhaust outlet.

There are two versions to choose from, the Targa and the Barchetta. The Targa has a removable roof, whose panels lift up to make access easier. The Barchetta, on the other hand, has no roof. There are several customisable material, colour and finish options, so there is a wide variety of choices to make each of the 25 units completely different from the rest.

An interior to enjoy

Bertone has decided that the interior should offer a tribute to nautical design. The interior recalls the hull of a boat, and a compass sets the nautical style. The instrument panel has a minimalist style, and the two seats are bucket-type. The steering wheel has a two-spoke design, and the mechanical components are on show. The manual gearbox also reflects its characteristic style.

The Runabot’s engine

This limited model is powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, of Toyota origin and mounted in a mid-engine position. It delivers an output of 475 CV, a figure far higher than the 54 CV offered by the car it is based on. The engine is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox that sends drive to the rear axle. Its top speed is 270 km/h, achieved thanks to its weight of just 1,057 kg, which also allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds.