2002 Bertone Novanta

Bertone celebrates its 90th anniversary with Novanta; a concept car that combines advanced design and pioneering technology. Born out of a vision of the imminent future, Novanta also recalls the philosophy that characterised the life and work of Nuccio Bertone, a philosophy still at the heart of Bertone today: always striving to push back the boundaries of what is possible.

A moving showcase of news ideas, Novanta returns to a classic Bertone theme - that of an executive saloon. Novanta relies on drive-by-wire technology from SKF, for the control of all major driving systems. This new technology has had a major influence during the design and architectural development of Novanta. Eliminating many of the constraints imposed by traditional mechanical systems, by-wire technology has allowed the designers to rethink all of the structural elements of the interior and to make new information technologies accessible. This re-evaluation is an evolutionary step from their design work on the Bertone-SKF Filo.

However, the use of new technology is not confined to the drive-by-wire systems. A variety of electronic devices transforms the car into a "knot" of nerve endings in constant communication with the external world, covering the needs of both driver and passengers.

The body is originating from a counterpoint of concave and convex volumes that are underlined by tense geometric lines. The side shows a smooth vertical flank defined by a high belt-line and sloping roofline.

At the back, the roof forms almost a right angle with the large, vertical rear window that drops in a decisive movement to the rear of Novanta. The exterior architecture, moving the visual centre of gravity towards the rear axle, gives to the overall look a streamlined quality.

A sculptured shoulder line runs the whole length of the vehicle, visually pushing it forward. The sides are asymmetric: on the left is a single door for the driver and on the right two doors for the passengers.

The grill, divided into three separate air inlets, dominates the front. These inlets deliver air to the central surface of the bonnet that houses a next generation radiator. The headlamps, thin and horizontal, cut the extremes of the grill with two shafts of light. The tail section, defined by three adjoining vertical surfaces, enhances the sporty character of Novanta with a distinct geometric ratio between the width and height.

The rear light clusters, aligned with the exhaust outlets, are only visible when lit. The complex glasswork of the trapezoidal rear window echoes the movement of the bodywork with a dramatic fold running through to the surface of the luggage area.

В этом году фирма, отмечающая свой 90-летний юбилей, показала концепт Novanta. Уже с первого взгляда становится ясно, что автомобиль продолжает традиции, заложенные концептом прошлого года Filo. Модель топ-класса снабжена 6-цилиндровым V-образным двигателем с турбонаддувом объемом 3 л мощностью по меньшей мере 300 л.с. По мнению главы компании Лили Бертоне, Novanta сочетает в себе все лучшие черты «хай-класс кар» и «плежер-кар», воплощенные в жизнь самыми современными технологиями.