Concept Car of the Week: Bertone Lamborghini Genesis (1988)

After its beginnings as a tractor manufacturer, Lamborghini quickly became synonymous with exciting supercars and luxurious gran turismos and it's remained so ever since. Bertone was responsible for the design of its finest cars including the Miura, Countach and Marzal concept amongst many others. However along the way there have been a few quirks in this otherwise thoroughbred bloodline – remember the weapons-grade LM002 SUV?

It was from the same offshoot that Bertone's Lamborghini Genesis – the Lambo minivan – was born.

Although was not an official Lamborghini project, Bertone designed the Genesis by the book: gullwing doors and a big V12 with 455 bhp, but this one can carry up to five people in full luxury at incredible speed. The engine was taken from a Countach Quattrovalvole and mounted longitudinally, just below the front seats. Unfortunately, at the time Lamborghini was owned by Chrysler who added ketchup to mama's bolognese and coupled the V12 with an automatic three-speed Torqueflite gearbox.

Marc Deschamp's exterior design was relatively simple, large monovolume with an entirely glazed greenhouse. Its proportions are close to the original Renault-Matra Espace only with a more inclined rear glass. A strip of body-color trim cleverly gives the impression of a much lower two-box silhouette. However its true party piece was its gullwing door opening, both hinged around the central pillar of the windscreen. Another pair of doors slid along the rear, giving access to the passenger compartment. Initial sketches showed cut rear arches as an homage to the Countach that gave up its mechanical underpinnings, but didn't make it onto the final car.

Eugenio Pagliano's interior was a plush lounge of red and beige Alcantara, reflecting Ferrucio's passion for grand tourers. The layout was two seats at the front, one in the middle and two more at the rear. The seats could twist, recline and even flip back-to-front all electrically. The middle seat could fold so that its backrest could be used at a table for the rear passengers. All were equipped with adjustable leg rests while a TV screen was also included.

With its high power and modern comfort, Bertone managed to create a future vision of luxury as intended – a private jet for the road.

First seen 1988 Turin Motor Show
Exterior designer Marc Deschamps
Interior designer Eugenio Pagliano
Length 4,475mm
Width 2,000mm
Height 1,520mm
Engine Countach 5,167 cc, 48v V12
Power 455 bhp

Your author, Flavien Dachet, is a UK-based, French-born car designer. You may know him as the purveyor of KarzNshit, a photo blog that if it isn't already in your bookmarks, it certainly should be.

By Flavien Dachet