- Italian coachbuilder to transition to automaker with the 1,100-hp GB110 hypercar
- The GB110’s combustion engine is designed to run on plastic waste
- Only 33 limited-edition supercars will be built
Italian company Gruppo Bertone, made famous for its coachbuilding and automotive design exploits, aims to join an elite club of high-performance vehicle manufacturers with the debut of its GB110 hypercar — the name signifying the Gruppo Bertone’s 110th anniversary.
The GB110 is backed by some bold claims. Details are a bit sketchy at this point, but packed within the car’s frame is a mid-mounted unknown powerplant that will crank out 1,100 hp and 811 lb-ft of torque. That power is fed to all four wheels via a seven-speed transmission. Performance-wise, the GB110 can sprint to 100 km/h in 2.79 seconds, up to 200 km/h in 6.79 seconds, and will hit 300 km/h in just 14 seconds. Its top speed is capped at 380 km/h, deep in hypercar territory.
It will have a wheelbase of 2,630 mm. In Bertone’s press release Giovanni Sapio, the GB110’s project manager, commented on the car’s design saying, “the rear wheel arches accommodate 335/25 22 tyres, which in pair with the front (255/30 21) transfer all the horsepower generated by the powertrain to the ground. It was precisely the rear end that had to be wide enough to excite those watching from behind the car.” He also added, “There are no purely aesthetic embellishments. In fact, every air inlet and every other technical element on the car has a function.”
Bertone’s new GB110 hypercar Photo by Bertone
Bertone’s new GB110 hypercar Photo by Bertone
Bertone’s new GB110 hypercar Photo by Bertone
Bertone’s new GB110 hypercar Photo by Bertone
Bertone’s new GB110 hypercar Photo by Bertone
However, the headliner of the GB110 is that the combustion engine is designed to run on plastic waste. Bertone has partnered with Select Fuel, a company that has reportedly patented a technology capable of converting polycarbonate materials into renewable fuel. However, there are currently no details on how customers will be able to get their hands on that fuel or how the supply process will work.
“The GB110 is an amazingly powerful car, but at the same time, it’s designed for everyday use,” said Jean-Franck Ricci, CEO of Bertone, in the GB110 reveal video (below). “It’s built with ergonomics and comfort as a high priority.”
Founded in 1912 by Giovanni Bertone, Bertone is the oldest Italian coachbuilder. It was taken over by Bertone’s son, who worked with talented designers to create automotive classics such as the Lamborghini Countach and Alfa Romeo Montreal. Its future seemed uncertain until brothers Mauro and Jean-Franck Ricci — who have 38 years of experience leading engineering companies — acquired the rights to the name in 2020. Now, the rejuvenated Bertone is aiming for a comeback.
The GB110, as seen in computer renderings released by Bertone, depicts a wedge-shaped car. According to Sapio, the design theme draws inspiration from past Bertone-penned concepts like the 1970 Lancia Stratos Zero and the 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo. Beneath the skin lies a chassis built with components from ‘a German manufacturer.’ Bertone did not reveal the name, but it’s worth noting that the only German supercar with a seven-speed gearbox, all-wheel-drive and mid-mounted engine is the Audi R8.
“We wanted the car to convey a sense of complex elegance, sportiness, and passion,” said Sapio.
From its scissor doors to its unique sustainability goals, to its mind-blowing technical specs, the GB110 is an ambitious undertaking that we can’t wait to hear more about. Pricing is still unknown, but Bertone will only be making 33 units of the GB110, with the first deliveries expected to take place in spring 2024. This will be the first phase of the company’s rollout plans, with a number of other limited-edition models expected in the coming years.
Tolu Akinshete
Tolu is an avid automotive writer whose passion for words is well-served by his borderline obsession with high-performance vehicles. He grew up in Nigeria and called Dubai home for many years before resettling in Canada with his family.’
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Keyword: Bertone announces 1,100-hp GB110 hypercar that runs on plastic waste