Motoring Middle East: Car news, Reviews and Buying guides

Dramatic Bertone concepts can be seen in Gargash
By Shahzad Sheikh

Remember the Bertone Pandion concept from the 2010 Geneva show? It was created as a 100th anniversary tribute to Alfa Romeo, and envisioned a futuristic and ultra-dramatic supercar. The styling (and indeed the name) was inspired by the Osprey (Pandion Haliaetus) bird of prey, also known as the sea hawk or fish eagle – just imagine those amazing reverse scissor doors as the wings!

This thing looks utterly amazing and you may be wondering if it’s as jaw-dropping in the flesh. Well if you are in Dubai, you can go find out!

I nearly tripped up and cracked my skull on the pavement yesterday when I was walking past the Alfa & Saab dealership, Gargash Motors, on Sheikh Zayed Road and clocked this thing through the windows.

This incredible concept car, and its Bertone cousin, the Mantide, which is based on a Corvette ZR1 and was actually seen at the Dubai Motor Show two years ago, are currently residing in the showroom.

Staff were cagey as to why the cars where there (they’re clearly not for sale – whilst the Pandion is a genuine runner, the Mantide is just a wood and clay model). But with both cars coming from famed Italian styling house Bertone, which is also known for being specialists coachbuilders, it’s not hard to jump to a conclusion that Gargash is about to announce a tie-up with the styling house. I’m guessing they’re probably waiting to make the announcement at the Dubai Motor Show next month.

Bertone Pandion

This car is fitted with the 4.7-litre 450bhp V8 from the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, as mentioned, this valuable prototype does actually run and features some fascinating tech such as gel-pack seats that not only form themselves to your body shape, but also change colour according to your mood.

Before you think of commissioning one, be aware, it’s a big car at 4620mm long, 1971mm wide and 1230mm high – plus you gotta allow for tons more room just to open those stunning doors. It’s unlikely however that you’d see a production version of this as it’s just too outlandish.

Bertone Mantide

As for the Mantide, however, rumour has it at least one Sheikh already has a real one of these running about in the UAE. A couple of years ago, Bertone were said to be trying to put this into limited production at a price of well over $2m each. Apparently there was a lot of interest in this sleek and sensational projectile, and amazingly no one thought that price a bit excessive for what is essentially a rebodied Corvette ZR1 (20 times cheaper).

The car was inspired by aerospace industry and Formula One cars, and you can see that in the canopy, and the flying buttresses at the Kamm-tailed rear as well as the air intakes. It all results in a more slippery drag coefficient and better downforce. And due to lower weight (made of carbon fibre it’s 100kg lighter) and those improved aerodynamics, it does at least offer improved performance, 0-100kph in 3.2secs and a top speed of 351kph, as well as extraordinary, movie star looks.