Autoblog

Rumormill: Lancia Stratos revival won't be one-off, production planned

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:24:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Specialty, Luxury, Lancia

The story of the coachbuilt Lancia Stratos gets more curious by the day. Although it appeared that the homage was a Pininfarina-designed one-off for a wealthy and anonymous European, Car & Driver has done some snooping of its own and reports that it wasn't exactly designed by Pininfarina and it won't exactly be a one-off.

Supposedly in the works for four years, word is the new Stratos was penned by Jason Castriota when he was still at Pininfarina before departing for Stile Bertone. Italiaspeed has a sketch of a Stratos with a different front end, signed by Castriota, that was published in the Japanese magazine Zoom. If that sketch is accurate it could jibe with what a tipster wrote to us, saying that the client had asked the front end be changed to something more traditional. Even though the C/D notes the photo above as having been taken on Pininfarina's roof, according to C/D it is Bertone that will get credit for this new Stratos - and we supposed Castriota will, too, eventually.

The best news for all those commenters disappointed that there would be just one: rumor is this thing is going into production. If true, it would be a huge deal for Lancia, an underperforming brand with rebadged Chryslers that would have this to parade around the world. Everyone wins. And to that shadowy, monied-up American, if you made this happen, we salute you.

[Source: Car & Driver]

Rumormill: Lancia Stratos revival won't be one-off, production planned originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertone's Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept leaks ahead of Geneva

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo

Stile Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept leaked images - Click above for image gallery

The raging torrent of pre-Geneva Motor Show leaks is officially in full effect today as a series of images showing off Bertone's new Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept have hit the Interwebs (thanks Unica-Strada!) First of all, what the heck is a Pandion? Simple: a type genus of the Pandionidae. Mmm hmm. That'd be an osprey, sometimes known as a fish hawk. Moving on, then.

To our eyes, the Pandion isn't really what we've come to expect from Alfa Romeo, at least not styling-wise. The Italian marque's classically flowing curves are present and accounted for, but they are bisected by swaths of what appears to be clear plastic. The rear-view is especially busy - kinda like it's fashioned from hundreds of containers worth of Tinker Toys. Oh, and fans of Battlestar Galactica are sure to appreciate the Pandion's head-on view.

Stile Bertone - which until recently was led by Jason Castriota, the man responsible for such far-out designs as the Alfa 8C-based B.A.T. 11 and the Corvette ZR1-based Mantide - penned the Pandion, and we do see some influence from the styling house's past designs. We don't yet know what's underhood of the uniquely styled concept, or really anything else about it not revealed by these images. That said, see for yourself below and, as always, let us know what you think in the Comments.

Gallery: Stile Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept

[Source: Unica-Strada]

Bertone's Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept leaks ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Alfa commissions trio of 159-replacing concepts for Geneva

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo, Design/Style

2002 ItalDesign Alfa Romeo Brera Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Following up on a model as achingly gorgeous as the Alfa Romeo 159 - to say nothing of its Brera coupe and Spider convertible counterparts - is no mean feat. Which could be why Alfa is turning to the considerable pool of talent at its doorstep. According to the latest reports, three Italian design houses will be displaying their ideas of what the next-gen mid-size Alfa should look like.

If the source quoted by Inside Line proves accurate, at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March, Stile Bertone will show off a two-door coupe, with a Pininfarina-penned convertible and an ItalDesign Giugiaro four-door sedan sharing the stage as potential candidates to succeed the 159/Brera/Spider line-up. Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo will be taking the wraps off the new Giulietta at its own show stand.

It's worth noting that Giugiaro was responsible for the original concept car that spurred Alfa to put the Brera into production, and Pininfarina was responsible for the car's assembly. And with Bertone also in the mix, this is one fight we're looking forward to seeing unfold on the floor of the Geneva Palexpo.

Gallery: 2002 ItalDesign Alfa Romeo Brera Concept

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Alfa commissions trio of 159-replacing concepts for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertone Mantide owner eyeing Corvette ZR1 Nürburgring record run?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Supercars, Specialty

Bertone Mantide - Click above for high-res image gallery

Some coachbuilt custom supercars are all show. But the owner of a Bertone Mantide is eager to prove that his has got the go to back up his show. Dan Watkins, the British gentleman-racer who bought the first Mantide, is so eager, in fact, that he's pondering personally financing a run at the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's Nürburgring lap record. And there's every reason to believe his car could reach that goal.

At 7 minutes, 26.4 seconds, the 2009 ZR1 holds the current lap record for a stock, street-legal, series production automobiles (excluding such track-focused machinery as the Viper ACR and Radical SR8). Nissan has its eyes on the ZR1 and is closing in fast, but as delicate and fragile as it may look, the Mantide arguably stands the best chance of besting the supercharged Vette's time - mostly because it's based on the ZR1. Only it's 80kg (176 pounds) lighter and 30% more aerodynamic, thanks to the improvements made to the body by Jason Castriota and his team at Stile Bertone.

To test the theory, Watkins is mulling renting out the 'Ring for three days, hiring an expert Nordschleife driver, and of course, donating the use of his $2 million supercar. All in pursuit of the ultimate bragging rights. If it happens, well, be watching.

Gallery: Bertone Mantide

[Source: PistonHeads]

Bertone Mantide owner eyeing Corvette ZR1 Nürburgring record run? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive by Design: Bertone Mantide priced at $2M, only 10 will be made

Noah Joseph — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Chevrolet, Specialty

Bertone Mantide - Click above for high-res image gallery

Perspective is a curious thing. Some look at the Corvette ZR1 and think it's a bargain compared to the exotic European machinery that it's capable of trouncing. Others look at the six-figure price tag and wonder how a Chevy could possibly cost that much. Then comes along Stile Bertone, the restructured coachbuilder now under the creative direction of former Pininfarina designer Jason Castriota, who has re-skinned the ZR1 as the Mantide. As if its radical styling wasn't divisive enough, news of its price tag and production run have now surfaced. One's big, the other small. Guess which one's which. Take your time, we'll wait.

Give up? The Bertone Mantide will sell for $2 million, but with that kind of sticker price it won't sell many: Castriota says they've already received between three and five (let's call it four) firm orders for the exclusive supercar, and they'll produce a maximum of ten examples. Think the Mantide and its exclusivity is worth a nearly 2,000% mark-up over the $103k "stock" ZR1? Express yourself in the comments below, and check out the updated gallery of high-resolution images below if you need help making up your mind.

Gallery: Bertone Mantide

[Source: NYTimes Wheels]

Exclusive by Design: Bertone Mantide priced at $2M, only 10 will be made originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 May 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertone Project M episode VII reveals ZR1-based Mantide in all its glory [w/VIDEO]

Noah Joseph — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Videos, Supercars, Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty

Stile Bertone Mantide - Click above for high-res gallery

For fans of Italian automotive design, it's been a deliciously torturous process to watch the slow, webisode-by-webisode reveal of Stile Bertone's highly anticipated Project M, but we've just about made it to the end. After revealing the car's underpinnings as those of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and revealing its name ("I always thought M was a randomly assigned initial, I had no idea it stood for...") Mantide, the latest installment has just hit the intertubes to reveal the concept supercar in all its glory.

The finished Mantide cuts an intriguingly aggressive shape, and you can immediately identify that it's been styled by the same hand as the one responsible for various Ferraris of late. Follow the jump to watch the video for yourself, click on these thumbnails to see the first batch of official photos, and drop by our comments section below to share your thoughts. Shout-out to Patrick for the tip!

Gallery: Bertone Mantide

Continue reading Bertone Project M episode VII reveals ZR1-based Mantide in all its glory [w/VIDEO]

Bertone Project M episode VII reveals ZR1-based Mantide in all its glory [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Corvette ZR1-based Mantide coming from Stile Bertone this week

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Specialty, Shanghai Motor Show

Now that episode six of the KineticFin-produced mini-documentary has revealed that Project M is based on the Corvette ZR1, we finally have a name for Jason Castriota's newest endeavor. The Mantide, due to debut at the Shanghai Motor Show this weekend, features custom coachwork that appears both angular and organic, and seeks to rekindle Stile Bertone's place in the world of bespoke automotive design. Expect all the details on the concept to be revealed later this week, with the running version set to debut in Italy on April 23.

Corvette ZR1-based Mantide coming from Stile Bertone this week originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertone family back in court over management issues

Noah Joseph — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:39:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

The Bertone girls can't seem to keep their disputes out of local courts, as the widow of the late Nuccio Bertone and their daughters are at each others' throats once again.

Previous legal disputes centered around matriarch Lilli Bertone's attempt to sell the company to Domenico Reviglio, to say nothing of the bankruptcy administration under which the company fell recently. The latest saga once again involves Lilli, who, despite holding the largest share of the company and acting as its chair, serves no management role.

Apparently, Lilli attempted to hire former Pininfarina and Ghia designer Emanuele Nicosia for a disputed role in the newly formed Stile Bertone. Nicosia was supposed to act as an adviser, but Marie Jeanne Bertone, who runs the company hands-on, and managing director Teresio Gigi Gaudio took the matter to court after they apparently saw a business card circulating that placed Nicosia's title as managing director.

Complicated enough? This is only one of several lawsuits currently backing up the Italian courts filed between Lilli Bertone and her daughters Marie Jeanne and Barbara. Hopefully, they can stay out of the way of Jason Castriota and his crew while they work away on the highly anticipated upcoming Project M. Stay tuned for more.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - subs. req'd]

Bertone family back in court over management issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Episode VI reveals what lies beneath Bertone's Project M

Noah Joseph — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Videos, Supercars, Chevrolet, Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty

Click above to jump to episode six of the Project M web video series

After the first and subsequent four webisodes of Stile Bertone's Project M hit cyberspace, everyone's wanted to know just what the upcoming supercar would be based on. Talented young designer Jason Castriota has designed Ferraris, Maseratis, Rolls-Royces and more, but since leaving Pininfarina to head the reborn Stile Bertone, would his projects employ the same exotic underpinnings? Initial speculation was that the trickle-teased Project M was based on the Nissan GT-R, but those and other rumors can now be finally put to rest with the release of the sixth episode of the Brad Farrell/KineticFic-produced web series.

We won't spoil the surprise for you, except to say that it's genuine Detroit steel which Castriota's playing with here. Follow the jump to view the video and find out for yourself.

Continue reading Episode VI reveals what lies beneath Bertone's Project M

Episode VI reveals what lies beneath Bertone's Project M originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Episode One of Inside Project M - The journey, and speculation, begins

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Videos, Supercars, Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty

Click above to view the first episode of Inside Project M after the jump

If you're not familiar with Jason Castriota, you've undoubtedly seen his creations. The New York native worked under Ken Okuyama at Pininfarina for eight years, during which he had a hand in designing such masterworks as the Maserati Birdcage 75, Maserati GranTurismo, Ferrari 599, Ferrari 612 Kappa and the Rolls-Royce Hyperion. He's also the man behind James Glickenhaus' Ferrari P4/5, the rebodied Ferrari Enzo that set the world (and forums) ablaze a few years back.

After leaving Pininfarina in late 2008, Castriota joined Stile Bertone in December of last year and his newest creation is being teased out in a series of webisodes that will document the design and development of a new supercar based on an unknown architecture. The first episode in the weekly series (posted after the break) offers some cursory details surrounding Castriota's new project before its official unveiling at the Shanghai Motor Show this April. Visitors to the InsideProjectM website are invited to speculate on what lies beneath the cloaked shape above, vote on the vehicle's name and follow the project's progress on something called Twitter. Our interest is piqued and judging by his past efforts, we doubt Jason will disappoint.

Continue reading VIDEO: Episode One of Inside Project M - The journey, and speculation, begins

VIDEO: Episode One of Inside Project M - The journey, and speculation, begins originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Stile Bertone Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 11 is not the next Tumbler

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:34:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Alfa Romeo

Click above for a gallery of high-res pics of the Bertone B.A.T. 11 from Detroit

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.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Bertone Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 11dk

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Stile Bertone Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 11 is not the next Tumbler

Detroit 2009: Stile Bertone Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 11 is not the next Tumbler originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertone hires former Pininfarina designer Jason Castriota

Noah Joseph — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

It's no news that business has been tough for Italy's most vaunted design studios and coachbuilders. But that hasn't stopped Bertone from hiring Jason Castriota as its new design director. Castriota has spent the past several years at arch-rival Pininfarina, where he worked on such projects as the Maserati Birdcage concept and GranTurismo, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, custom P4/5 and the Rolls-Royce Hyperion one-off, before leaving with the aim of starting his own studio. But as the Italian-American stylist says himself, Bertone "made me an offer I couldn't refuse".

Castriota, 34, will head a young design team at the resurgent Bertone, starting immediately. He'll have his work cut out for him bringing the stoic design house back to its feet following its brush with bankruptcy, and we'll be looking forward to seeing what he has in store for us.

[Source: CarDesignNews]

Bertone hires former Pininfarina designer Jason Castriota originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertone design division goes independent

Noah Joseph — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal

The future of Bertone has taken a big step in the right direction on the road to recovery with the company's design division, Stile Bertone, spun off as a separate entity. Ownership of the newly independent design house will be split between the Bertone family (49.5%) and the Italian courts (50.5%), with former Aprilia motorcycle chief Teresio Gaudio coming in as managing director.

Gaudio's task will be to increase the company's bottom line by decreasing overhead and increasing revenue, but that's a whole lot easier said than done. Further workforce reductions will be required. Developing markets like India and China will play a big role in the atelier's future, as the company's expertise is still highly valued in such countries. However, Gaudio says it will be several years before Stile Bertone returns to the black, while the courts will maintain ownership for at least three years. Meanwhile the Italian courts are still looking for a buyer for Bertone's manufacturing division, where 1,300 employees are currently being supported by social security.

[Source: just-auto.com - sub. req'd]

Bertone design division goes independent originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertone sale undone by Italian court

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Plants/Manufacturing

Just three weeks ago it was reported that Bertone company head and family heir Lili Bertone had concluded a deal to sell the money-losing company to Domenico Reviglio of Gruppo Prototipo. A court in Turin, Italy, the home of both companies, has canceled the sale saying that Lili attempted to sign over more of Bertone than she had a right to.

Lili Bertone signed over 65-percent of Carrozzeria Bertone and 100-percent of stylist Stile Bertone to Reviglio, in exchange for 35-percent of a new Reviglio-controlled company called Keplero, which would own both Bertone companies. The problem is, Lili Bertone only owns 20-percent of the Carrozzeria. The other 45-percent is owned by the Bertone family, which includes Lili's daughters Barbara and Marie Jeanne, who are the ones who sued to stop the sale.

We have no idea why the daughters would sue to stop the sale of a company that was headed for oblivion. It's possible that, with Lili selling the company without their consent, they likewise weren't represented as proper shareholders in the new deal, but again, that is complete speculation. What we do know is that we hope Bertone gets itself sorted out before it goes away for good. Bertone and Reviglio have ten days to appeal.

[Source: Automotive News - sub req'd]

Bertone sale undone by Italian court originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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