Bertone Mantide Heading to Production - For $2 Million

It is often (correctly) said that the Corvette is a bargain it's price class, competing head on with much more expensive vehicles  from brands like like Ferrari, Lamborghini and the like. The Corvette's basis has been used by renowned Italian design house Stile Bertone to create a car much more expensive than anything from those marques; the Mantide. 

 The Corvette has proven to be one of the most versatile vehicles for coachbuilders to base their wares on. Out of all those creations though, the Mantide promises to be the ultimate. Why? Well first of all, get a load of the price tag - $2 million. Secondly, it's based off the most-exclusive of Corvettes, the Z71 (an incredible deal at $103,000). 

It's clear though that this isn't business as usual, with just a few body panels swapped out. Only the chassis, engine and running gear are shared with the Corvette Z71. Normally, the interiors are left intact, but not so with the Mantide. It has been totally redesigned. Of course with a price roughly 20 times the price of the basis car, it better offer something different!   

Credit to Jalopnik for that excellent picture of the Mantide's rear end. That has to be my favorite view of the car's design. The Mantide is very cool, but in a different way than classic Ferrari designs, for instance. It's ultra-modern. So while not a huge fan, I would say it's an visually impressive design that looks like a supercar from the future. Definitely unique!

Originally when I heard of the car I thought it was just a design excersise. I didn't know the company had any plans for production. Apparently they are planning up to a 10 unit run, having already received 3-5 "firm" orders. The Mantide was designed by Bertone's design director Jason Castriota (formerly at Pininfarina).

Mr. Castriota said he picked the General Motors-produced Corvette intentionally, offering an gesture of support to the troubled automaker. The biggest thing the Mantide has going for it is exclusivity; is that worth $2 million? I think at least 10 people out there will answer yes to that question.