bertone runabout car revives pop-up headlights from the concept design of the 1969 model

Revamped bertone runabout comes with pop-up headlights

Bertone unveils new designs for the refreshed Runabout car, including the concept pop-up headlights from the 1969 car model. The headlamps in the previous design are housed in nacelles, or the casing outside the vehicle, within the rollbar structure behind the seats. In the revamped Bertone Runabout car, the headlights, once a concept design, pop up from the hood when the driver needs them. Once over, the driver presses a button for them to slide back down.

The other concept designs that the Bertone team realizes for the new Runabout car include modernizing the truncated tail with round taillights. Now, there’s an industrial-inspired engine cover as well as an aluminum fuel cap placed on top. An aerodynamic S duct is also integrated into the front design for airflow and cooling. The design team adds the company’s signature horizontal line across the car’s width to highlight the frame’s sculpted fenders.

all images courtesy of Bertone

concept design from 1969 car model turns into real feature

The refreshed Bertone Runabout car still brings back familiar concept designs from the 1969 car model. Take the L-shape on the side of the vehicle, which starts from the roll bar and continues all the way to the front. It’s because of this that the vehicle has a wedge shape, a node to its predecessor. The horizontal bottom line from the previous model returns as well, giving the revamped car a nautical look and feel to it. So far, there are 10 colors for the upcoming model. It includes an antique copper shade, an azure blue reminiscent of Mediterranean waters, and pearlescent ivory that recalls the shade of marble sourced from Italian quarries.

Presently, there are two configurations for the recent Bertone Runabout car model. The first is the BArchetta, which features a fully open design with a minimal windshield. Then, there’s Targa, which comes with a full windshield and removable roof. The modern vehicle has a mid-mounted V6 engine delivering 460 horsepower and a six-speed manual close ratio gearbox alongside the pop-up headlights that were once a part of the old model’s concept design. The company says the production begins in mid-2026, limited only to 25 units.

Bertone Runabout revives pop-up headlights from the concept design of the 1969 car model

the headlights, once a concept design, pop up from the hood when the driver needs them

the design team adds the signature horizontal line across the car’s width to highlight the sculpted fenders

presently, there are two configurations for the recent model

the modern vehicle has a mid-mounted V6 engine delivering 460 horsepower

image of the original 1969 Runabout model

the revamped Bertone Runabout parked near the Barchetta version

project info:

name: Runabout

company: Bertone | @bertone_official