Batmobile on steroids

The sinister black weapon you see pictured alongside could have been an appropriate ride for Christian Bale in The Dark Knight -- the sequel to Batman Begins -- but it is, in fact, a design concept penned by noted Italian stylist Ercole Spada.

Dubbed the Spadaconcept Codatronca, the concept was unveiled a year ago, and its creator has now announced his intentions to team up with coachbuilder Castagna to build 20 examples and flog them off at a projected $420K-plus pricetag.

Although its bodywork is unique -- to say the least -- the Codatronca's underpinnings have been sourced from a Corvette Z06, and the Batmobile-esque contraption also retains the donor car's brawny 7.0-litre LS7 V8.

In case you're wondering about the weird-burger name, Codatronca is allegedly Italian for 'truncated tail', which in this case comprises a trio of fins and a digital readout. Exactly what purpose the latter serves is debatable, but ... er... full marks to Spada for thinking outside the square.

Our more mature readers may notice some familiar design elements in the Codatronca, and this is because Spada says he drew inspiration from the 1964 Alfa Giulia TZ (also designed by him). There's even a hint of 1968 Corvette about it.

It's believed three versions of the car will be offered -- the Sport Tourism model with 'only' 376kW, the Fast Sport Tourism and the range-topping Super Sport Tourism, which will reportedly belt out about 515kW.

Spada is backed by an illustrious career, during which he's worked for Zagato and styled cars for Aston Martin, Ferrari and Maserati, as well as Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Fiat and Lancia. Shortly before leaving Zagato, Spada designed the ground-breaking Alfa Romeo Junior Z, as well as eye-catching Lancia Fulvia Sport.

A stint at Ford/Ghia was followed in 1976 by an assignment as chief stylist for BMW, and Spada made his mark at the Bavarian marque by penning the E32 7-series (1987–1994), and the E34 5-series (1989–1996).

In 1983 he joined the I.DE.A Institute, where his projects included the Fiat Tipo Lancia Dedra and Delta II, as well as the Alfa Romeo 155 and Daihatsu Move.

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