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New Italian Style: Bertolio Introduces Jana '08 Concept
TURIN, Italy — You may not have heard of Giacomo Bertolio, but with the launch of his new Web site, he hopes you will soon. A freelance Italian car stylist, he has just released the design of a concept that he calls the Jana '08.
According to Giacomo, Jana means many things: It's a Sanskrit word meaning "people," it's an ancient woman's name in the Hindu-European area and it's from the myth of Janus, the Roman god whose easily recognizable two-faced persona is said to inspire the rear-facing seats inside the car.
But besides a name with a rich history, what is the Jana? It's a compact based on the Mini's floorplan, built for city driving. It has scissors-style doors for easy exit and entry in confined spaces, and a sliding tailgate on the roof for unloading cargo in cramped quarters. What all this means is that when all the doors in the Janus are open, it has the same footprint as when everything is closed — something to think about for any big-city driver.
The interior featuring those Janus-inspired rear-facing seats is purported to have better weight distribution because of the arrangement. Though there's no room for a trunk, a small amount of cargo fits between the seats. Lastly, a single airbag is said to protect all four heads of the passengers. No word on how that works exactly.
And finally, what we've all been waiting for, what's under that hood? As one would expect from a micro people mover, the Jana has a 1.6-liter V4 that cranks out a dainty 110 horsepower. That being said, it does top out at a somewhat respectable 117 mph.
See it all at Bertolio's Web site.
What this means to you: Hey, if you've got a dream, some talent and a Web site, anything can happen. — Paul Tassi, Correspondent
According to Giacomo, Jana means many things: It's a Sanskrit word meaning "people," it's an ancient woman's name in the Hindu-European area and it's from the myth of Janus, the Roman god whose easily recognizable two-faced persona is said to inspire the rear-facing seats inside the car.
But besides a name with a rich history, what is the Jana? It's a compact based on the Mini's floorplan, built for city driving. It has scissors-style doors for easy exit and entry in confined spaces, and a sliding tailgate on the roof for unloading cargo in cramped quarters. What all this means is that when all the doors in the Janus are open, it has the same footprint as when everything is closed — something to think about for any big-city driver.
The interior featuring those Janus-inspired rear-facing seats is purported to have better weight distribution because of the arrangement. Though there's no room for a trunk, a small amount of cargo fits between the seats. Lastly, a single airbag is said to protect all four heads of the passengers. No word on how that works exactly.
And finally, what we've all been waiting for, what's under that hood? As one would expect from a micro people mover, the Jana has a 1.6-liter V4 that cranks out a dainty 110 horsepower. That being said, it does top out at a somewhat respectable 117 mph.
See it all at Bertolio's Web site.
What this means to you: Hey, if you've got a dream, some talent and a Web site, anything can happen. — Paul Tassi, Correspondent
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