Bertone posted a strong presence at the Geneva motor show with the unveiling of their latest concept car developed for the Fiat brand. The concept celebrates Bertone’s 95th anniversary.

Dubbed the Bertone Barchetta, the diminutive two-seat roadster is a modern answer to a highly involving and fun open top sports car. Also on the stand was the recently recreated Fiat 500 Barchetta, originally designed by Nuccio Bertone in 1947 for personal competition reasons, providing a fitting heritage and backdrop to the glittering new Barchetta concept.

Based on the Fiat Panda “small” platform, the new Barchetta is an out-and-out concept car, as Bertone’s chief designer David Wilkie explains, “The Barchetta is a pure concept car exploring ideas on a compact two-seater roadster theme based on the Panda 100 HP. Exceptional concentration has been applied on detailing the exterior and interior. It continues a theme dear to Bertone, as we have always built compact roadsters such as the X1/9. Based on the Panda platform, the underpinnings remain untouched, however the H-point has been moved considerably backwards and is now where the rear bench would normally be located. Due to the Panda’s universal model range, this concept could also theoretically be fitted with AWD.”

The exterior combines a polished aluminium exoskeleton overlayed on carbon-fibre flanks, lifted over the edges to provide a free flowing illusion. The side is furthermore enhanced by transparent polycarbonate inserts in the scissor-style doors, which pivot over the rear wheels by remote control. The exterior is furthermore characterised by a high bonnet enhancing a feeling of power, a low-swept speedster windscreen merging into the bonnet emulating the traditional Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage, and rationally designed LED lighting clusters. The car is made to look even more compact through its use of 20 inch alloy wheels on ultra low profile 225/30 R20 Pirelli PZero Nero tyres. The wheels provide the Barchetta with a simple toy-like character through the graphic use of large Torx-shaped hub centres, providing the illusion that they could be simply taken off with a large tool; themselves forming a modern evolution of the nostalgic and romantic character felt by enthusiasts for the spinners on old Boranni wires.
 

Inside is where the concept really shines, with David Wilkie’s talent showing here the most as the Scotsman is by nature originally an automotive interior designer. The Barchetta’s cockpit is a feast of beautiful detailing, from the natural leather seats emotionally clad in fine swathes over the car’s carbon tub, to the oblong steering wheel with embossed Bertone logo. The movable pedals are themselves sculptures in their own right, created from aluminium with a fine emotional organic form and weight-saving philosophy. The hydraulic systems are visible through the car’s low cut windscreen, which itself is supported by beautiful aluminium outriggers finished in an unassuming graphite colour.

The central console is inspired by the basic unisex theme applied on leading products by Apple, with an iPod itself being centrally located in the tunnel. The dials are young, dynamic and minimalist and located within a fine and uncluttered flying dashboard. An interesting gimmick are the visible fan blades behind the ventilation openings; a homage to the original Porsche Boxster concept. The rear boot, itself covered in leather with the Bertone Barchetta legend, opens to reveal a gorgeously tailor-made luggage case. So extreme is the detailing, that the boot catch is in the form of the Bertone “b”, and something which is only noticeable when really exploring the car from all angles.

Measuring 3.585 mm long, 1.705 mm wide and a mere 1.090 mm high, this concept is not intended for production, but instead demonstrates how Bertone could style an affordable small sports car.

Bertone’s future is looking brighter now that Fiat are considering to form an alliance with the Turin-based design house. The possibility of producing a Grande Punto-based speciality vehicle is looking ever more possible, with the model potentially scheduled for the Lancia brand as it goes head-to-head with internal discussions against whether to replace the Thesis flagship. It is rumoured that Fiat are genuinely looking into this niche for a true four-seater, with a ground-breaking folding hardtop design.

By James Granger in Geneva