An Icon Reimagined, A Design Celebrated.
The new Bertone Runabout receives international recognition for its sculptural purity, contemporary interpretation of an iconic design, and distinctive Italian coachbuilding identity.
Madrid, 5 November 2026
The Bertone Runabout has been awarded Best Combustion Car Design at the fifth edition of the CarDesign.es Awards, celebrating the finest expressions of contemporary automotive design.
The recognition marks another significant chapter in the Runabout’s journey from the radical 1969 concept developed under Nuccio Bertone’s vision, to its contemporary reinterpretation as the first model of the new Bertone Classic range.
Selected by a specialist jury of ten automotive design and industry experts, the Runabout was recognised for its ability to translate an iconic design philosophy into a modern automotive sculpture while preserving its own distinctive identity.
The jury commented:
From 1969 Vision to Contemporary Design
At the heart of the Runabout lies one of Bertone’s most recognisable design principles: the ability to create extraordinary sculptural presence through essential geometry.
Defined by its forward-leaning wedge, horizontal nautical beltline, compact proportions and distinctive coda tronca rear, the new Runabout carries forward the spirit of the original concept without relying on nostalgia.
It represents a continuation of the values that established Bertone as one of the most influential names in automotive design: individuality, experimentation, stylistic clarity and the pursuit of beauty through proportion.
Reimagined for the present, the Runabout combines this heritage with contemporary engineering, artisanal craftsmanship and an engaging analog driving experience.
Produced in a strictly limited series of 25 examples worldwide, each Runabout also celebrates the art of coachbuilding through a dedicated personalization journey at Bertone Centro Stile, where materials, colors and finishes become part of the design process itself.
A Recognition of Italian Coachbuilding
The award was presented during the CarDesign.es ceremony at LaFinca Grand Café in Madrid, an event bringing together automotive designers, manufacturers, collectors and industry specialists.
Matteo De Feudis, Bertone Director of Sales, Marketing and Communications, received the award on behalf of the company from Raffaella Perrone, Director of IED Barcelona and member of the awards jury.
For Bertone, this recognition reinforces the relevance of a design philosophy that has shaped automotive culture for more than a century.
At a time when automotive design increasingly converges toward common forms and solutions, the Runabout expresses the enduring value of stylistic individuality, sculptural purity and emotional connection.
More than fifty years after the original concept challenged conventional thinking, the Runabout continues to demonstrate how a strong design vision can transcend generations while remaining contemporary.
A celebration of Italian design, coachbuilding culture and the courage to create something distinctive.
