Mixture of family and sport: how the ugliest Lamborghini in history was designed

the house design Bertone is one of the most recognized in the automotive industry. Created in 1912, its style has given shape and life to many models of brands such as Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Lamborghini.

Always at the forefront, Bertone tried to do in the 1980s what some designers dared to do: combine the bodywork of a minivanat that time the fashion segment, with the sportiness of Lamborghini.

The result was shown at the 1988 Turin Motor Show: the Bertone Genesis. Also known as Lamborghini Genesisa family prototype with an exceptional seating configuration for 5 passengers that hid a powerful V12 engine under its bodywork. 455 horsepower.

The Lamborghini minivan

The creation of Genesis had a reason. In 1987, chrysler bought the Italian sports car brand and operated it for a period of seven years.

At the time, the star of the North American giant was the Traveler, a comfortable and spacious minivan that breaks sales records every month. And knowing that family vehicles are everyone’s weakness, why not design one with a futuristic style but with some particular aesthetic wink and Countach mechanics.

This is how Genesis was created, which needs development 30,000 man hours. It measures 4.48 meters long, 2 meters wide, 1.52 m. high, and has a wheelbase of 2.65 meters.

These proportions allow five passengers to travel comfortably in it, distributed in a rare arrangement of three rows of seats: 2+1+2. That is, two passengers in the front, one in the middle, and two in the back.

At first glance, the Genesis is notable for its large wraparound windshield that runs the entire length of the vehicle and for the two front doors. vertical openingHe, Countach-style. The functionality of a minivan can be seen in the two sliding side doors that allow access and exit from the rear seats.

The mechanics, on the other hand, have the signature of the company Sant’Agata Bolognese. Both the driver and co-driver sat on top of the massive 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, which came from Lamborghini Countach Quattrovalvolewhich generated 455 hp.

It is combined with aa 3-speed automatic gearbox, from Chrysler, and the drive is in the rear.

The Lamborghini Genesis never went beyond the prototype stage, despite its conceptual vision which Bertone hoped for: “We are convinced that in the year 2000 the customer did not want to sacrifice anything in his lifestyle and business. understanding the characteristics of sport (sic) “. To stand out from the crowd in a vehicle with extraordinary power and amazing looks. ”

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