Back in 2010, Pininfarina->ke69 was looking for a way to celebrate its 80th anniversary. To do so, it created the 2uettottanta – a concept with a name that pays homage to the Duetto to go with the 80 years of Pininfarina brilliance. Furthermore, the concept was said to pay tribute to Alfa Romeo->ke1386, which – in 2010 – was celebrating its centenary. In short, the 2uettottanta is a two-seater spider with a 1.75-liter turbocharged engine that was mounted longitudinally – a reference to the 1750 Veloce of 1968. The overall exterior look is where the tribute to Alfa Romeo comes in, with the red body finish and that aluminum shield upfront with triangular air intakes.

The 2uettottanta made its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show->ke228 and was immediately loved with its modern design, smooth and visually pleasing body lines, and body panels that sit so tightly together that it’s actually hard to tell that the entire body isn’t one piece. Unfortunately, this concept was never translated into a production model of any kind, but it could have very easily been a big seller in the two-seater, roadster market. Even the interior was simplistic but wild at the same time, and there is just something about the reinterpretation of the instrument cluster and that modern take on the Duetto’s steering wheel that really sticks out.

There’s no denying that the Duetto was an icon that is still celebrated to this day, and Alfa Romeo has a long, rich history that can’t be denied. So, did the 2uettottanta pay rightful tribute to Pininfarina, Alfa Romeo and that iconic Duetto? Check out the review below to see for yourself.

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2010 Pininfarina 2uettottanta

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2010 Pininfarina 2uettottanta
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Up front, the 2uettottanta has a unique yet aesthetically pleasing look that combines simplicity and elegance at the same time. The centerpiece of the front end is the aluminum shield that appears to float inside a diamond shaped cavity and pays tribute to Alfa Romeo. The front fascia is split at the bottom and gently recesses back as the it forms a triangular intake on each corner of the fascia. The smooth body lines below the recess give the front end character while keeping an overall smooth appearance. Above the air intakes are a set of thin, rectangular LED headlights that sit flush with the fascia and help to give the front a menacing look. Those wide front fenders slope downward in the front with a mild body line right in the middle, leading into the sharp lip that runs the width of the fascia just above the headlight units. The front hood Is completely smooth with a mild downward curvature to it, which should help improve the overall aerodynamics of the concept.

To the sides, there is a lot more of the same. A body line runs from the front of the front wheel arch and wraps around the wheel opening before shooting straight back to the rear, creating the only character line on the side. The rest of the side profile is smooth, with a Pininfarina badge between the door and front wheel arch. The rear wheel arches are flared just a bit and feature a character line similar to that of the front wheel arches. The doors have a very tight fit to the body, making the seams almost invisible and door handles are non-existent.

Around back, we see a slightly more aggressive design compared to the front and sides. Of course, there are the humps that cover the seat backs, but farther back, the body extends just a bit from the top, creating a spoiler or sorts. Below this spoiler lip sit the taillights which carry the same shape as the headlights and feature LED lights. Down below, a body line drops down from each taillight and curves inward, while there is a sharp, protruding crease in between to give the rear end even more character. There is a large, three-sided opening in the rear fascia that houses a smooth diffuser between two triangular exhaust outlets.

The concept is all about beauty and elegance, and it certainly touches base in both categories with an unadulterated smoothness that shows the lighter, friendlier side of the Pininfarina design house. There are enough subtle hints to Alfa Romeo to give the brand fair tribute, and there is a little of the Duetto in there too. All told, it is a beautiful looking concept that is desirable and a hell of a forbidden fruit.

Interior

Inside, the 2uettottanta is and smooth and pleasing as it is on the outside. The dash is finished in bright white and curves inward at the outside edges where it meets the same while coloration on the door panels, creating a true interpretation of a wraparound dash. The rest of the interior is done up in black, including the seats, upper and lower portion of the door panels, the center console, and the carpet. The instrument cluster that is built into the dash features two large gauges for the tachometer and speedometer, which pays homage to instrument clusters found in Alfa Romeo vehicles. There is no entertainment system to speak over, but the center console is graced by a chrome-handled shifter and the carpets look to be made of Alcantara.

All told, there isn’t a lot going on inside the cabin, but the steering wheel is a modern reinterpretation of that found in the original Duetto, and there are few fine lines built into the door panels that add a touch of character to the inside. It’s a smooth and elegant design, and one that could only really be pulled off by a design house like Pininfarina.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain of the 2uettottanta is a rather large mystery, with very little information revealed by Pininfarina. We know that it has a longitudinally mounted 1,750 cc engine, but as far as performance specifications go, you’ll need to use your imagination because they were never released. We do know that the engine is mounted to a dual-clutch transmission, and there are shift paddles on the steering wheel. The car also has three driving modes – “Dynamic,” “Normal,” and “All Weather.” The tires that wrap around those interesting five-spoke wheels were made specifically for the concept in collaboration with Dunlop and are said to accentuate the impression of strong character and force given by the car. Behind the wheels sit an Alfa Romeo brake system by Brembo, offering decent stopping power.

While there is little information for the drivetrain to go by, the fact that the car has a dual-clutch transmission, selectable driving modes, and a decent aerodynamic layout points to some reasonable power from the 1,750 cc engine. If I had to guess, I would say it probably delivered upward of 200 or 250 horsepower, which would be more than enough giving the lightweight and aerodynamic nature of the 2uettottanta.

Conclusion

It’s hard to put together a fair conclusion for a car that really describes itself from a distance with its smooth and elegant appearance. In short, it’s pure excellence brought together by a long history of design and partnership between Pininfarina and Alfa Romeo. It’s a concept that begs to be owned, driven, and enjoy, which is the worst part since there is nothing like it that ever went into production. Pininfarina put it best by saying: “The 2uettottanta is not an unattainable dream. Nor does the 2uettottanta only want to impress at first glance, but to achieve a beauty that does not strive solely for immediate confirmation, but gradually reveals all its values and transfers them to the future, making the style eternal. As it did in the case of the Duetto, which continues to be celebrated as an icon of design after more than 40 years.” And, I must say that I agree in every possible way.