British Television show names Bertone BAT 11 as Ideal Concept of the Year

December 27, 2008

Filed under: Concept Automobiles, Coupes, Geneva Motor Show, Euro, Alfa Romeo, UK

Click above for a gallery of Bertone’s Alfa BAT 11 concept car

Nobody does TV vehicle shows like the Brits. Top Gear may be the king, but it has bred its fare share of imitators. Not only have Top Gear’s producers began setting up franchises in Australia, Russia and the United Says, but the BBC’s local rivals have given birth to other shows like Final Gear and Sky Motoring… the latter of which has now released its own portfolio of awards.

The most intriguing award is arguably the show’s choice of the Bertone BAT 11 as its Best Concept Car of 2008. The enigmatic design exercise was commissioned by collector Gary Kaberle while the stoic design home was in the midst of turmoil en route to bankruptcy and eventual restructuring. Due to the studio’s financially distraught condition, the concept - a continuation of the original BAT 5, BAT 7 and BAT 9 cars - was only unveiled outside the Geneva Motor Show this past March. Based on the underpinnings of the Alfa 8C Competizione, the resurgent Bertone is reportedly considering putting the angular exotic into limited production.

Meanwhile, Sky Motoring handed out more than dozen other awards, including giving the nod to the Volkswagen Scirocco as its Best New Vehicle of the Year, French automaker Citroen as the Best Manufacturer, and the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 as the Best New Exotic. Click here to check out the rest of the Sky Motoring 2008 awards.

Gallery: Bertone BAT 11 concept