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Lamborghini Athon by Bertone - design icon of the eighties

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Created on March 8, 2013

Text:

Stefan Fritschi

Photos:

Tom Wood (RM Auctions)

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Tom Wood - Courtesy RM Auction

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Archiv

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Tom Wood (RM Auctions)

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Tom Wood - Courtesy RM Auction

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Archiv

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Lamborghini Athon 1980 - rear view

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Lamborghini Athon 1980 - side view

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Lamborghini Urraco Athon (1980) - breathtaking silhouette

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Lamborghini Athon (1980) - an uncompromising design - auctioned at the RM Auction Villa d'Este in 2011

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Lamborghini Athon (1980) - Bertone prototype built on the basis of the Urraco

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Lamborghini Urraco Athon (1980) - rear view

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Lamborghini Athon 1980 - Front

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Lamborghini Athon 1980 - Side rear view

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Lamborghini Urraco Athon (1980) - the Urraco provided the technical basis

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Lamborghini Athon (1980) - futuristic interior - auctioned at the RM Auction Villa d'Este in 2011

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Lamborghini Urraco Athon (1980) - flat front design

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Lamborghini Athon 1980 - Details rear

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Summary

In contrast to today, the situation in 1980 was exactly the opposite: Lamborghini was in troubled waters and Bertone was doing well. Nuccio Bertone therefore "donated" the Athon study based on the Urraco/Silhouette to the traditional company from Sant'Agata Bolognese at his own expense. However, the Athon was neither built in series nor did it influence future Lamborghini models. Nevertheless, it became a milestone: not for Lamborghini, but for Bertone. This report presents the still existing Athon in words and in current and historical pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Center transverse engine concept from the Urraco as a basis
Icon of the 80s style
More product design than styling
Pure show car without a series finish...
... but with fully ready-to-drive technology
Sold after financial problems
Further information

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In contrast to modern times, the opposite was true: Lamborghini was in troubled waters and Bertone was doing well. Nuccio Bertone therefore "donated" the Athon concept car based on the Urraco/Silhouette to the traditional company from Sant'Agata Bolognese at his own expense. However, the Athon was neither built in series nor did it influence future Lamborghini models. Nevertheless, it became a milestone: not for Lamborghini, but for Bertone. The name of the Athon is derived from "Aton", the ancient Egyptian sun god. And previous Lamborghini models never indulged in this, as only coupés were built as standard. This only changed with the appearance of the (unsuccessful) Urraco 3000 Silhouette with targa roof. Its technology and substructure served as the basis for the Bertone Athon. The Silhouette is in turn a descendant of the entry-level Lamborghini Urraco P200/P250/P300 with a transversely mounted V8 mid-engine and self-supporting steel body.

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