Porsche Karisma: Bertone’s Visionary Take on a Porsche Saloon

Design Daring - In the world of automotive design, where boldness often dances on the edge of convention, collaborations between legendary names sometimes give rise to creations that defy easy categorization. One such result of design audacity and technical ambition is the Porsche Karisma by Bertone—a vehicle born not only from engineering excellence but also from a desire to reinterpret tradition. In a decade when innovation flirted with nostalgia, this car emerged as a rare and striking expression of style and substance.

The Porsche Karisma by Bertone's goal was to design a high-performance saloon, one that could live within the Porsche universe without competing with its crown jewel. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)

The story of the Karisma traces back to a renewed partnership between two storied names in automotive history. By the early 1990s, the Porsche 911 had once again solidified its position as a timeless icon, its silhouette and performance continuing to inspire reverence. This, however, presented a unique challenge to the designers at Bertone. Rather than attempting to reinterpret the 911 coupé directly—an undertaking that would risk diluting its essence—Bertone opted to venture down a less expected path. The goal was to design a high-performance saloon, one that could live within the Porsche universe without competing with its crown jewel.

The Porsche Karisma by Bertone features with massive gull-wing doors that extended across the full height of the car, inspired by the Lamborghini Marzal concept of 1967. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

Introduced at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show, the Porsche Karisma wasn’t just another concept car. It was a deliberate statement, blending luxury with performance while showcasing design choices that were anything but conventional. Built on the underpinnings of the Porsche 911, it shared the DNA of the legendary sports car but wore a completely different face. The Karisma's body was accentuated with dramatic swage lines running along its wings, a transparent roof that flooded the interior with light, and massive gull-wing doors that extended across the full height of the car, embracing both function and flair.

The Porsche Karisma embraced purposeful simplicity inside, with Bertone eliminating the superfluous to craft a spacious, uncluttered cabin that radiated relaxed luxury. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)

These distinctive doors weren’t merely an aesthetic choice—they were a nod to Bertone’s own design heritage, dating back to the Lamborghini Marzal concept of 1967. That same idea of large glass areas and sweeping views found new life in the Karisma. It offered an almost panoramic visual experience, not just for those inside, but for anyone looking in. Even the rear-mounted engine was put on display through clear panels, transforming the car into a rolling exhibition of precision and power.

The Porsche Karisma by Bertone's body was accentuated with dramatic swage lines running along its wings, a transparent roof that flooded the interior with light. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)

Inside, simplicity reigned with purpose. Bertone stripped away anything deemed superfluous, focusing instead on creating an environment of relaxed luxury. The interior layout felt open and uncluttered, allowing the sense of comfort to shine through without distraction. The Karisma wasn’t just about making a visual impact; it also prioritized user experience—an approach that still feels ahead of its time. | CaRPjK_vJ9w |

Today, reflecting on the Karisma gives us more than just a glimpse into a unique automotive artifact. It serves as a reminder of what can happen when two masters of their craft meet with a shared willingness to explore uncharted territory. The Karisma didn’t aim to replace or outshine the 911; it set its own course, redefining what a Porsche saloon could be when shaped by Italian creativity. In doing so, it added a bold and captivating chapter to the legacy of automotive design, one that continues to spark curiosity and admiration decades later. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | STORY-CARS ]

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Art & Tech Vera: The Futuristic Concept Car That Time Forgot

Forgotten Futurism - The 1990s marked an exciting period in automotive history, a time when designers and engineers envisioned futuristic vehicles that pushed the boundaries of technology and aesthetics. Among the boldest examples of this era was the Art & Tech Vera, a concept car that reflected the innovative spirit of its creator, Ryoji Yamazaki. This remarkable vehicle, which never reached production, remains an eye-catching artifact of automotive design, currently displayed at the Musée Automobile de Vendée in France.

The Art & Tech Vera concept car was envisioned as a sleek and futuristic four-seater coupe, blending innovative design with bold aesthetics. (Picture from: AllAndorra)

Ryoji Yamazaki, a visionary in the automotive world, founded the Art & Tech studio in 1989 in Tokyo. While the studio was based in Japan, much of its early design work took place in Turin, Italy, where it aimed to fuse Japanese innovation with European craftsmanship. At the same time, Yamazaki also made headlines with the Lamborghini-based Sogna, a striking supercar prototype unveiled the 1991 Geneva Motor Show. 

The Art & Tech Vera boasted a sleek, spaceship-like design with a fully enclosed glass canopy, integrated headlights, and a sculpted aerodynamic body. (Picture from: AllAndorra)

The Sogna, priced at an astonishing $1.6 million, was an ambitious attempt at ultra-luxury limited production, though only one fully functional model was ever built. The Vera concept, also presented in 1991, took a different approach. While the Sogna aimed for high-performance exclusivity, the Vera was envisioned as a futuristic four-seater coupe. Its sleek, almost spaceship-like design featured a fully enclosed glass canopy, integrated headlights, and a streamlined body with sculpted aerodynamic lines. 

The Art & Tech Vera was engineered to house a Porsche 928-sourced V8 engine, establishing it as a high-performance GT concept. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

The car was designed to feature a Porsche 928-sourced V8 engine, positioning it as a high-performance GT concept. Despite its radical styling and advanced design, the Vera disappeared from the automotive scene soon after its unveiling. Unlike the Sogna, which retained a cult following, the Vera remained an obscure yet fascinating 1:1 static mock-up of 1990s car design.

The Art & Tech Vera concept car stands as a testament to an era when the automotive world embraced bold dreams and pushed the boundaries of design. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

Today, its place in a museum serves as a reminder of an era when the automotive world boldly dreamed big and defied conventions. While the Art & Tech Vera never made it to production, its legacy endures, captivating enthusiasts who admire the artistry and ambition of concept cars from the past, as the company ultimately ended its supercar venture in 1993.*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | STORY-CARS | CARSTYLING.RU | ALLANDORRA | CARTEFACTS ]

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Toyota MR2: The Legendary Mid-Engined Sports Car That Made Driving Fun

Balanced Thrill - For decades, driving enthusiasts have longed for cars that deliver thrills without breaking the bank. Among the few machines that truly delivered that magic formula was a lean, low-slung coupe from Japan that wore its engine behind the seats, hugged the corners like a cat on a ledge, and looked far more expensive than it actually was. That car? The legendary Toyota MR2 – a machine that didn’t just punch above its weight, it threw haymakers at giants.

Three generations of the Toyota MR2—AW11, SW20, and ZZW30—stand side by side, tracing the car’s evolution from angular 1980s sharpness to sleek 1990s power and minimalist 2000s agility. (Image Reimagined by ChatGPT | Prompt by EKA)

First unleashed in 1984, the MR2 was Toyota’s bold leap into the world of mid-engined sports cars – a layout typically reserved for exotics. Short for Midship Runabout 2-Seater, its name summed up exactly what it was: a compact two-seater with a centrally mounted engine that put the power to the rear wheels. While others were chasing comfort or chasing trends, Toyota went chasing balance – and it paid off. For many, it was their first taste of a driving experience that felt pure, nimble, and utterly joyful.

The Toyota SV-3 Concept, revealed at the 1983 Tokyo Motor Show, showcased a near-production MR2 with only minor details separating it from the final model. (Picture from: AdrianFlux)

Born from a lightweight concept developed in the late ’70s, the Toyota MR2 evolved through three distinct generations—each with its own character, yet all sharing the same unmistakable DNA—beginning with the first-gen W10, a compact, agile machine that, despite modest 1.5- or 1.6-liter engines and a featherweight 950kg frame, delivered a driving experience that was more about precision and playfulness than outright speed. 

The first Toyota MR2, launched in 1984 with the model code W10—commonly referred to as the AW11, though that technically denotes a specific variant—was produced from 1984 to 1989. (Picture from: CarThrottle)

Behind its development was a mix of Japanese precision and international collaboration. Lotus engineers lent their suspension magic, and former F1 ace Dan Gurney put prototypes through their paces to ensure it delivered the driving kicks. The result was a car that instantly wowed critics and enthusiasts alike. It wasn’t just good "for a Toyota" — it was good, period.

The Toyota MR2 222D, a wild Group S rally prototype developed by Toyota Team Europe alongside a one-make MR2 racing series in the UK and USA, never saw competition due to the cancellation of Group S, but its 600bhp, four-wheel-drive design cemented the MR2’s performance reputation. (Picture from: CarThrottle)

As the MR2 matured into the second generation (W20), things got curvier, quicker, and undeniably bolder. With Italian-influenced styling, it looked like a baby Ferrari. Underneath, it had the muscle to match: naturally aspirated and turbocharged 2.0-liter engines, with the latter punching out over 220bhp.  

The second Toyota MR2, launched in 1989 and produced until 1999, took a very different approach—growing in size, weight, and complexity to move upmarket, with the SW20 model trading the angular minimalism of the Mk1 for Italian-inspired curves and a striking resemblance to the Ferrari 348/355. (Picture from: CarThrottle)

Performance was now serious, and while early models had a tricky rear end that demanded respect, Toyota steadily refined the car into something more forgiving but no less thrilling. The SW20 MR2 wasn’t just a pretty face—it could hang with some serious company in the bends and was a favorite among tuners and racers alike.

The Toyota TRD2000GT, a factory-authorised wide-body conversion offered by Toyota Racing Development in 1998 and inspired by GT racing success in Japan, featured a dramatic fiberglass body that widened the MR2 by about 100mm, optional engine upgrades exceeding 245bhp, and was limited to just 35 officially built units—making authentic examples highly prized collectables. (Picture from: Mekanika)

By the time the third and final generation arrived in 1999, Toyota decided to go back to basics. The MR2 W30 Roadster stripped away weight and complexity in favor of pure, tactile joy. With a soft-top roof, a sub-1000kg kerb weight, and sharp, communicative steering, it was a return to the spirited, accessible fun that made the first MR2 a cult icon. Though the horsepower dropped compared to the previous turbocharged variant, it didn't matter—the thrill came in corners, not straights. And those who craved more power? Plenty found ways to extract it. 

The third Toyota MR2, revealed in October 1999 and produced until 2007, was a radical reimagining aimed at “breaking the cycle of growth” seen with the SW20 by shedding weight, complexity, and even practicality to recapture the nimble spirit of the original AW11. (Picture from: CarThrottle)

Across all three generations, what set the MR2 apart was that it didn’t follow the script. It wasn’t built to win bragging rights in straight-line races or impress your neighbor with a luxury badge. It was built to be driven—really driven. It invited you to grab it by the scruff and learn its rhythm. It reminded you that great driving isn't always about power; it’s about feel, balance, and connection.

The Toyota W30 MR2, known as the MR2 Roadster in Europe, MR2 Spyder in the US, and MR-S in Japan, followed the 1997 MR-S concept and marked a first for the model by being offered exclusively as a convertible, with coupe and T-top versions discontinued. (Picture from: CarThrottle)

In a world that increasingly drifts toward digital detachment, the MR2 remains a reminder of the analog joy of driving. Even today, its legacy resonates, with owners clubs, tuning circles, and sim racers all keeping the spirit alive. And with whispers of Toyota plotting a revival for this beloved midship hero, there's reason to hope that the story isn’t over just yet. | _ZrWAYnKkfc |

If the MR2 does return, it won’t be just another badge on a new car. It will carry the weight of a legacy built on decades of purity, passion, and that mischievous grin it leaves on every driver’s face. Whether you owned one, chased one down a twisty road, or just dreamed of doing so, the MR2 wasn’t just a car—it was an invitation to love driving again. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARTHROTTLE | ADRIANFLUX | MEKANIKA ]

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Matra Murena: The Forgotten Three-Seat French Sports Car

Quirky Legacy - In the world of vintage sports cars, names like Porsche, Ferrari, and Lotus tend to dominate the conversation. Their sleek shapes and roaring engines have earned them a permanent spot in the collective memory of car lovers. But every so often, a lesser-known gem pops up—a car that quietly carved its own niche and then disappeared, almost as if it was never there. One such curiosity is the Matra Murena—a French sports car named after the moray eel—that was daringly different, refreshingly quirky, and yet strangely forgotten.

The Matra Murena, shown here in the 1983 model, came with a bold promise of rust-free durability, achieved through a groundbreaking hot-dip galvanising process that treated the entire chassis—making it the first production car to do so—and backed by a six-year anti-rust warranty. (Picture from: Carthrottle)

Pontiac Firebird Reimagined With Ferrari DNA in Bold Concept

Chaotic Perfection - There’s something endlessly fascinating about the bold, beautiful chaos that happens when two automotive worlds collide. Imagine taking the raw, unapologetic spirit of classic American muscle and merging it with the sleek, high-performance artistry of Italian engineering. It's the kind of idea that sounds like it shouldn’t work—like oil and water or pineapple on pizza. But when it does? You don’t just get a car. 

Jason Battersby infuses a Pontiac Firebird with Ferrari DNA, blending raw American muscle with sleek Italian performance artistry. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

You get a rolling contradiction, an irresistible contradiction. That’s exactly the case with a concept so outrageous, so wild, and yet so strangely alluring: a Pontiac Firebird infused with Ferrari DNA. It's an abomination. A glorious one. At first glance, the very thought seems absurd—why on earth would anyone fuse a fourth-generation Pontiac Firebird with the DNA of the Ferrari F40 and F50? But once you see it, the logic fades, and pure adrenaline takes over. 

The Pontiac Firebird infused with Ferrari DNA sounds absurd, but this wild blend of F40 and F50 cues instantly swaps logic for pure adrenaline. (Picture from: Carscoops)

The idea is as imaginative as it is unhinged, thanks to designer Jason Battersby, whose renderings of this one-off dream machine have ignited car enthusiast circles. Battersby, known for pushing boundaries and currently serving as exterior design manager at Jaguar, isn’t a stranger to audacious automotive experiments. But this Firebird-Ferrari mashup might just be his most jaw-dropping concept yet.

The Pontiac Firebird hides a carbon monocoque frame beneath its exotic body, paired with a tubular chassis that looks as advanced and race-ready as its Ferrari-inspired design suggests. (Picture from: Carscoops)

This isn’t just a Firebird with a few tweaks. This is a full reimagining—a carbon-bodied, V12-powered beast that borrows cues from the most iconic supercars Ferrari has ever made. 

The Pontiac Firebird features a newly sculpted hood with aggressive air intakes, deep cooling vents, and razor-thin LED headlights that create an otherworldly stare. (Picture from: Carscoops)

It retains the recognizable silhouette of the Firebird, but nearly every panel has been transformed. Up front, it sports a completely new hood sculpted with aggressive air intakes, deep cooling vents, and razor-thin LED headlights that give it an otherworldly stare. And that carbon fiber splitter? It looks ready to slice through the air—and expectations.

The Pontiac Firebird is equipped with a carbon fiber splitter that looks engineered not only to cut through the air with precision but also to shatter expectations. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Move over the roofline and things get even wilder. Twin NACA ducts inspired by the F40 dominate the top, hinting at the performance lurking underneath. Underneath that exotic body lies a carbon monocoque frame, paired with a tubular chassis that looks every bit as high-tech and race-ready as you’d expect from something with Ferrari genes. This is not a simple engine swap and a fancy wrap—this is a full-blown reinvention.

The Pontiac Firebird places its mid-engine layout just behind the driver, and a rear diffuser inspired by the Gordon Murray T.50s Niki Lauda, blurring the line between street machine and track-day weapon. (Picture from: Carscoops)

And what’s powering this insane creation? A bespoke V12 engine, dreamed up as a collaboration between Pontiac and Ferrari—a partnership that, in reality, has never existed, but in this fantasy? It roars. Nestled right behind the driver, this mid-engine layout is finished with four brutal tailpipes blasting from the rear grille. It even features a rear diffuser reminiscent of the Gordon Murray T.50s Niki Lauda, further blurring the line between street-legal car and track-day weapon.

The Pontiac Firebird is powered by a bespoke V12 engine, imagined as a wild collaboration between Pontiac and Ferrari—an unreal partnership brought to life through fantasy and pure roar. (Picture from: Carscoops)

It’s hard not to smile at the sheer madness of it all. This isn’t just a car. It’s a statement. A rebellion against conformity. Sure, building something like this in the real world would take more than just guts—it would take deep pockets, a deep garage, and probably a bit of recklessness. But isn’t that what makes cars like this so compelling? They’re the stuff of dreams, the kind of creations that defy practicality and embrace pure automotive passion.

The Pontiac Firebird features a mid-engine layout positioned just behind the driver, enhanced by four aggressive tailpipes that emphasize its performance-focused design. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Someone, somewhere, might just be crazy enough to build it. And if they do, don’t be surprised when it breaks the internet, melts a few brains, and steals every car show spotlight. Because sometimes, beauty lies in the absurd—and this Firebird, reborn in carbon and fire, is nothing short of spectacularly absurd. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JBDESIGN_CA IN INSTAGRAM | AUTOEVOLUTION | CARSCOOPS ]

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The Ben-Dera: A Bizarre Homemade Car from the 1980s

Garage Surrealism - Building your own car sounds like something only seasoned engineers or big-name companies dare to attempt. But every now and then, someone outside that circle gives it a shot—someone who trades blueprints for dreams and CAD software for pure determination. Back in the quirky corners of 1980s small-town America, a man named John Bender did just that. In Hilliard, Ohio, far from the glitz of Detroit or the test tracks of California, Bender—a local mechanic, part-time electrician, and full-time imaginative soul—decided to create his very own ride. The result was something nobody saw coming: the Ben-Dera.

The Ben-Dera, shown here as the first prototype, was a unique car built by John Bender—a Hilliard, Ohio mechanic and part-time electrician—using the humble mechanical components of a Ford Pinto in his home garage. (Picture from: QuirkyRides in X)

If a spaceship and a jet had a ground-bound cousin, this would be it. The Ben-Dera didn’t just roll out of a garage—it looked like it had crash-landed from another timeline. Designed with a fiberglass body mounted over a hand-built tubular space frame, the car wore its aviation influences proudly. It had faux jet turbines, stylized wings, and a profile that suggested liftoff was an option. 

John Bender poses with his unique creation, the Ben-Dera—shown here as the first prototype—which, according to some sources, was built around 1988 and took about three years to complete. (Picture from: Blog.1aAuto)

Underneath all the flair, however, sat the humble mechanical bits of a Ford Pinto. The front and rear axles, as well as the 2.3-liter inline-four engine also from the Pinto—a surprisingly practical choice for such an outlandish vehicle. Interestingly, Bender didn’t position the engine up front like in the Pinto. Instead, he moved it to the center of the car, giving the Ben-Dera a mid-engine layout—a decision more common in exotic sports cars than small-town experiments.

The Ben-Dera featured a cockpit-inspired interior with alarms, toggles, and an altimeter, making it feel more like a launchpad than a car. (Picture from: AutoRevuecz)

The interior took inspiration from cockpits rather than dashboards. Alarms, toggles, even an altimeter adorned the panel, giving the illusion that the driver wasn’t just shifting gears but preparing for takeoff. The rest of the cabin was draped in long-pile fabrics and suede, blending retro luxury with homemade charm.

The Ben-Dera, shown here as the first prototype, featured a fiberglass body over a hand-built tubular space frame with faux jet turbines, stylized wings, and an aviation-inspired profile that looked ready for liftoff. (Picture from: QuirkyRides in X)

But John Bender wasn’t content with just one car. After the white prototype came a second creation—this time in gold. It lost the wild wings and turbines but gained some modern comforts like air conditioning. The gold version ran on a 2.8-liter V6 engine borrowed from the Mercury Bobcat, giving it a bit more grunt than its predecessor. With the molds already made, construction was faster and smoother.

The Ben-Dera, shown here in its second gold-painted version, dropped the wild wings and turbines in favor of modern comforts like air conditioning, ran on a 2.8-liter V6 from the Mercury Bobcat for added power, and was built more efficiently thanks to pre-made molds. (Picture from: QuirkyRides in X)

Fuelled by passion, Bender briefly considered taking the Ben-Dera into small-scale production. He priced the car at $19,750, a bold move in a market flooded with polished mass-produced vehicles. Yet despite the ambition, nobody was ready to sign the check. Part of the hesitation reportedly came from Bender himself—concerned that selling a home-built car could lead to lawsuits. Whether those fears were justified or not, the dream never shifted out of neutral. 

Unfortunately, few contemporary photos exist of the Ben-Dera in good condition, with most showing the worn white version missing its signature wings and distinctive front light bar. (Picture from: Klonoa in Flickr)

Photos of the Ben-Dera are scarce today, and most that surface show the white version missing some of its flair—no wings, no signature light bar on the nose. It’s been spotted occasionally, sometimes near fast food joints or outside what used to be Bender’s workshop home, quietly hinting at its creator’s dream. As for the golden version, its current whereabouts remain a mystery. | 52UE_jnh3R8 | 

What makes the Ben-Dera so fascinating isn't just how it looked, but how it came to be. With limited tools, modest resources, and loads of imagination, John Bender carved out his own space in automotive history—not with speed records or commercial success, but with creativity, grit, and a spark of madness that made the 1980s just a little bit weirder. And for that, the Ben-Dera holds a special kind of legacy—one that refuses to be forgotten. *** [EKA | FROM VARIUS SOURCES | STORY-CARS | BARNFINDS | BLOG.1AAUTO | FLAVIENDACHET | AMINOAPPS | AUTOREVUE.CZ  | KLONOA IN FLICKR | CLASSIC AND RECREATION SPORTSCARS IN FACEBOOK | ARAMISAUTO IN FACEBOOK | QUIRKYRIDES IN X ]

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