Ahead of
its 82nd Geneva Motor Show world debut, design house
Bertone has shown off three full sketches of the concept
sports car that it hopes will triumphantly celebrate its
centenary; the "Nuccio" is a full blown reinterpretation
of one of the designer's most famous, and at the time
most shocking, creations, the sensational Stratos Zero
concept.The
Stratos Zero, which came at the start of a golden era of
design from Nuccio Bertone, has in fact only recently
celebrated its fortieth anniversary, and in returning to
the theme of this true masterpiece, it is only fitting
that Lilli Bertone, now back in firm control of the
design concern, has named the project after her late
husband.
"The Nuccio is an
extreme sports car that puts an evolutionary imprint on
the concept that is built into Bertone’s dna: the
mid-rear engined berlinetta," read a statement issued by
Bertone. "Formally, the Nuccio takes its layout from the
low, muscular one-box design that is part of the
company’s historic tradition. At the same time, it
displays a styling language of strong emotional impact
that projects the brand’s identity into the future."
The
Nuccio will be under the spotlights at all the events
that are scheduled for the celebration of Bertone's
centenary. After the Geneva Show the car will be taken
to Beijing (April) and then to the Turin National Car
Museum (May) where, at a gala evening, a historic
exhibition will be inaugurated that will stay open till
the summer.
Bertone is also sponsoring the annual congress of
Automotive News Europe (June) that will be displaying
the Nuccio during its proceedings. Finally, the Concorso
Italiano at Laguna Seca, California, USA (August) will
be dedicated to Bertone as will a special edition of the
Florence Unique Special Ones (September), two events
that will be attended by important international
collectors along with their vehicles.
