Bertone's birthday gift

There are plenty of ways to celebrate a birthday - but this present takes some beating

Auto Express Car Reviews

Little roadster uses Panda 100HP running gear

21st February 2007

Designed by famous Italian styling house Bertone, the Roadster Concept will honour the firm's 95th anniversary at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

With a half-windscreen and see-through door panels, the two-seater certainly stands out. Continuing that theme, the bright silver bonnet, sills and roll hoops contrast starkly with the black wings and tan interior.

Under the skin, the roadster is based on Fiat's sporty Panda 100HP. Bertone decided to use this platform to draw a parallel with the Fiat 500 Barchetta, which was designed by Nuccio Bertone in 1947 as his own personal racing car. The styling house has a close relationship with Fiat which started 80 years ago.

In that time, the coachbuilder has collaborated on the production of around 50 models, including the Eighties' X1/9 two-seater sports car and Punto Cabriolet of the Nineties.