The Runabout started as a concept but will now enter production in 2026 as part of the design house’s new Classic range
On the list of most unexpected production revivals for this year, the Bertone Runabout is right up there. What began as an innovative Gandini concept in 1969 has now been confirmed for a limited run of road-legal models due in 2026.
The design was led by Andrea Mocellin, who had previously spearheaded the Bertone GB110 project a couple of years ago. Mocellin kindly shared some original sketches of his Runabout project with Car Design News, which can be seen above along with some earlier renders.
So, what has changed over the five decades between the two variants? In all honesty, not a huge amount, at least visually. The most obvious and understandable change is the absence of the square spotlights mounted on the rear arches, as well as the fog lights in the lower mask that have been replaced by pop-up (yes, you read that correctly) headlights. A thin DRL spans the width of the nose and, at the rear, single tail lamps on each corner rather than the original pair.
Beyond that, there are so many distinctive deisgn cues that have carried through to this new model, particularly at the rear. It remains to be seen whether this makes it after the design freeze but it appears to sport four tail pipes to mirror the four rectangular strips found on the original car. Above this sits a horizontal grille which also evokes the horizontal bars of the 1969 concept. Inside and it is much the same with a familiar CMF strategy that pairs red and white leather for the seats, IP and door cards which wrap nicely into the dash.
From a technology perspective things have moved on quite a bit from the 55bhp 1.1-litre engine derived from the Autobianchi A112. Indeed, purists will delight at the decision to equip the two-seater with a petrol V6 unit that dishes out 500bhp. The new Runabout will also be available in two variants: the open-air Barchetta, and the Targa with a removable roof. Pre-orders are open now ahead of a scheduled production start in mid-2026.
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