We were saddened when we couldn't track down this Bertone B.A.T. 11 in Geneva last year and even sadder when we missed it in Los Angeles in November. Don't blame us. They stuck it in the basement for crying out loud. The B.A.T. 11 is an updated take on the B.A.T. 5, B.A.T. 7 and B.A.T. 9 concepts built by Nuccio Bertone in the '50s. BAT stands for Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica (Aerodynamic Technical Coupe) and as you can see, this concept lives up to its name. While the original B.A.T. concepts have become some of the most coveted collector cars in the world, this new one is designed with a slightly different slant.

Based on a Maserati GT chassis, it is more of a sportscar for the new millennium. It has a Maserati V8 for propulsion and features Pirelli shod 21" wheels slowed by Brembo brakes. Although the mechanicals are Maserati, the badge is Alfa Romeo because of the exterior detailing -- specifically the traditional Alfa triangular shield and circulor crest. It also carries many of the same design cues as its predecessors, including the fared-in wheels and wrap-around tail fins. While the original BATs were designed to look aerodynamic, this one was actually wind-tunnel-tested in the Department of Aeronautics and Space Engineering at the Polytechnic institute of Torino.

It's such a striking car in person at over 16 feet in length, six feet wide and under four feet tall. The classic styling elements are joined by some 21st century tech, including electronically adjustable cooling foils and wheel coverings that automatically adjust to the optimal position for cooling, steering or drag-reduction. It's a fun concept, a treat to see in person and a great homage to Nuccio, especially painted up in his favorite green-gray color. Check out the press release after the jump and our high-res gallery below.


Photos copyright ©2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

Click above for a gallery of Bertone's Alfa BAT 11 concept car

The most intriguing award is arguably the show's choice of the Bertone BAT 11 as its Best Concept Car of 2008. The enigmatic design exercise was commissioned by collector Gary Kaberle while the stoic design house was in the midst of turmoil en route to bankruptcy and eventual restructuring. Due to the studio's financially distraught condition, the concept – a continuation of the original BAT 5, BAT 7 and BAT 9 cars – was only unveiled outside the Geneva Motor Show this past March. Based on the underpinnings of the Alfa 8C Competizione, the resurgent Bertone is reportedly considering putting the angular exotic into limited production.

Meanwhile, Sky Motoring handed out more than dozen other awards, including giving the nod to the Volkswagen Scirocco as its Best New Car of the Year, French automaker Citroen as the Best Manufacturer, and the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 as the Best New Exotic. Click here to check out the rest of the Sky Motoring 2008 awards.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

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]