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https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a38053213/countach-designer-denounces-the-new-model/ "Countach Designer Marcello Gandini Denounces the New Model "To repeat a model of the past represents in my opinion the negation of the founding principles of my DNA." In his time at Bertone, Marcello Gandini was credited as the designer behind masterpieces like the Alfa Romeo Montreal, the Lancia Stratos, and the E12-generation BMW 5-Series. His most famous works, though, were Lamborghinis. His most famous? The Countach. Gandini, however, wants to stress that he was in no way involved with the design and production of the upcoming tribute model, the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4. The confusion stems from a video interview Gandini did this June. He was presented with a scale model of the upcoming car that he was told represented a tribute to be shown at Pebble Beach. He was not, however, told that this car would be put into limited production and sold to the public as a continuation. The video was used in promotion of the new car anyway, so Gandini sent out a letter denouncing both the clip and the new Countach project itself. In the letter, he stresses that he was in no way involved with the new car. He goes further, though; he says the car itself does not "reflect his spirit and his vision." Gandini adds: Whether or not the Countach is more than a cynical cash grab, it is a design tribute that is not actually endorsed by the designer it is paying tribute to. That makes for an awkward collectible, particularly when that collectible sold out at a price of $2.64 million months ago."

The Geneva Motor Show is usually never complete without concept cars. And I must add that any motor show without concept cars on display is quite lame. When it comes to the Geneva Motor Show it is never lame as it is one of the best places to view concept cars as most European manufacturers usually go full force over there. Furthermore, this is also a place where we get to see an Italian Carrozzeria or three showing off their latest concept cars. We have Pininfarina previewing their Cambiano concept (above) and we have Bertone showing of the Nuccio (below). Both Pininfarina and Bertone are two companies responsible for coming out with the design of classics like the Ferrari 365GTB Daytona and the Lamborghini Miura respectively as well as a plethora of supercars, family cars and unique, one of a kind cars for individual customers. But this time I have to say that both have come up with duds this time around. The Pininfarina Cambiano concept is supposedly to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its styling center and the 10th year anniversary of the engineering center. It is an engineering powerhouse in that it showcases the use of electric motors

Car designer Bertone of Italy is making a comeback, check out this webby: http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsi...ncept-at-geneva

A 'custom-built' vehicle in a 'made-to-measure' suit by a great tailor based on a production vehicle of great prestige. This, very briefly, is the Bertone Jet 2 (the name is a tribute to the Aston Martin Jet created by Nuccio Bertone in 1961, based on the Aston Martin DB4 GT as a one-off). A Concept car developed from the Aston Martin Vanquish, the Bertone Jet 2 has the same mechanical lay out, the floorpan structure (the wheel base has been lengthened by 210 mm. to allow two rear seats to be added to the original version) and all the BIW elements 'under the skin' to limit investments and not alter the elements which are subject to homologation. Bertone Jet 2 expresses the concept of a modern 'custom-built' car. In other words a vehicle which, on the basis of a non-perceptible carry over nucleus, is characterized by a completely new body. In this sense the Bertone Jet 2 re-proposes, in modern terms, a product linked to the traditional history of Italian coachbuilders which dressed the most enchanting engines of the time in 'haute couture'. In recent years, the public has determined a marked division of the market in niche products. This diversification in demand entails massive economic investments for the manufacturers. The Bertone Jet 2 is an example of how Bertone could help the manufacturers to diversify their own range by preparing 'custom-built' vehicles, exactly as they did in the fifties and sixties, with all the quality and safety standards of a modern automobile manufacturer. The proposal expressed by the Bertone Jet 2 has been made sustainable from the manufacturer's point of view, thanks to a maximum synergy with the components of the original model. From the engineering point of view, Bertone has respected all the structural limits of the original vehicle, the modification of which would have entailed high levels of investment (which would not have allowed to contain the price difference of the custom-built vehicle). At the same time, the finished vehicle is characterized by a specific identity which is so strong that it can be presented as a new model. To the hypothetical final customer, the decision to work with limited investments could translate into a reasonable price increase, to justify the possession of an exclusive object, a vehicle for a few refined connoisseurs. The point of departure for the styling definition was the search of a Bertone identity with respect to the classic Aston Martin features. The car body, originating from sinuous lines and tight 'geometrical' features, is a synthesis of the two brand identities. The flowing shape follows a forward leaning belt line which rises towards the tail; a graphical treatment which enhances the physical power of the Bertone Jet 2 through flowing and natural phrasing. The idea of movement is resumed by a large transparent roof, which emphasizes the dynamism and the impetus of the vehicle. In the front part the classic Aston Martin grille remains, with additional air ducts to cool the disc brakes. The flush cover headlights propose an evolved graphic with respect to the original model. The rear view focuses on the vertical tailgate, the outline of which repeats the shape of the Aston Martin grille. The Bertone Jet 2 presents the classic interior configuration of the 2+2 coup

The Bertone Birusa is a concept car that reinterprets a theme which is part of the company's genetic code: the most elegant, dynamic embodiment possible of the Italian sports car, an exclusive object and the source of supremely enjoyable driving. These are important features, acknowledged in the car's ironic name, derived from the adjective "biross" (pronounced "bir

From www.cardesignnews.com... The exotic