Geneva 2008: Bertone B.A.T. 11's clandestine debut
by Dan Roth on Mar 5th 2008 at 10:29AM 
Bertone's not officially exhibiting at Geneva this year, as the company is going through some upheaval, but it still made a splash in Switzerland. The B.A.T. 11, paying direct homage to the original B.A.T. concepts, was unveiled in Geneva at the AutoDesignNight event. The car was commissioned by Gary Kaberle, and you'd never know that there's an Alfa Romeo 8C hiding under the sheetmetal that's strongly evocative of the 1955 B.A.T. 5. Tapered fins and faired in wheels follow the design fundamentals laid down 50-plus years ago by Nuccio Bertone and Franco Scaglione, and the unique wheels with two layers of spokes are a 21st-century interpretation of the classic Borrani wires. Surfaces with a mix of soft and crisp forms and details still look futuristic, even while paying homage to the past. Financial woes or not, Bertone is still one of the world's premiere houses of automotive haute couture, and the B.A.T. 11 will hopefully not be the company's last gasp. Click the source to view more photos of the B.A.T. 11 concept at its off-site debut in Geneva yesterday.
[Source: Car Design News, Photo by Brett Patterson]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rick 4:06PM (3/05/2008)
Not only is that ugly but how does it turn?
Reply
Jake 6:49PM (3/09/2008)
Front fenders move with the tires.
BTW there is NOT an 8C underneath. It is a rolling model.
"Ugly, hideous, etc"
What do you think people thought of the original cars in the 1950's?
Open your brain a bit.
This is an exercise in design.
Me Too 10:51AM (3/05/2008)
A copy of a $1 HotWheels car.
Reply
JayP 11:17AM (3/05/2008)
Cloak and Dagger.
I knew I'd seen it before.
Jason Bird 2:08PM (3/05/2008)
It's always nice to see that someones sense of history begins the year they were born.
Google the B.A.T 5, 7 and 9 to understand the historical significance of this car to both Bertone and Alfa Romeo.
BLS 2:23PM (3/05/2008)
I have seen the historic cars (in pictures) and I also think it looks terrible. It is especially attrocious because they wasted a gorgous 8C to make this contraption.
cellularcoffee 11:04AM (3/05/2008)
After seeing this model, I hope the B.A.T. 11 is its final gasp.
Reply
SPG 11:20AM (3/05/2008)
Cars like these are what makes car shows so much fun.
Too bad it won't actually be part of the show.
Reply
dac 12:04PM (3/05/2008)
Wow, that's hideous.
Reply
andy 10:14PM (3/05/2008)
Now that is one fugly automobile
Reply
Randy 12:42PM (3/05/2008)
At least we know where the designers that made the 1996-1999 Taurus went to work! GOD AWEFUL. Nice wheels though!
Reply
Dan Roth 1:25PM (3/05/2008)
Actually, your "AWEFUL" DN101 Taurus designer? That'd be Doug Gaffka.
Styled the current Mustang.
Korona 2:22PM (3/05/2008)
what a disappointment, the sketch looked awesome.
Reply
Yago Bal 3:10PM (3/05/2008)
I think it's amazingly beautiful... Really breathtaking and the most interesting design I've seen in a while.
I love it quite a lot!!!
Reply
friko 10:59PM (3/05/2008)
I like it too.
Michael 5:09PM (3/05/2008)
Looks like something out of a Syd Mead painting .
Reply
KKBat 8:38AM (3/06/2008)
I absolutely love it! Nice work Bertone and Alfa!
Bankruptcy smankruptcy!!
Reply
John 1:18PM (3/06/2008)
It looks like the winner of a 4th grade drawing contest, at best.
Reply
Tony 12:52AM (4/17/2008)
Sell it to Japan. On second thought just give it to them!
Reply
Greg 10:54AM (6/02/2008)
As a designer I find this car very appealing as compared to other "concepts" such as the the look alike designs coming out of Zagato and the Japanese companies.
This is a very creative interpretation of the original B.A.T. concept, and although it may have a few failings, it is what a show car in supposed to be - EXCITING!
Reply