Gillet Bellariva Supercar by Francesco Riva and Gillet Automobiles

Gillet Bellariva Supercar by Francesco Riva and Gillet Automobiles is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Bronz in Design de Vehicule Competition Category.

BronzVehicul· 2026

Gillet Bellariva Supercar

by Francesco Riva and Gillet Automobiles

Client: Gillet Automobiles

A' Design Award de Bronz Winner in Vehicul Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #180396

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Colors

The Design

About Gillet Bellariva Supercar

Gillet Bellariva este un supercar conceput pentru utilizarea zilnică și pentru călătorii lungi. Exteriorul amintește de mașinile sport din anii 1950 și 1960 și de liniile șalupelor și iahturilor de lux. Șasiul și caroseria sunt construite manual din fibră de carbon pentru o structură ușoară și o greutate de 1200 kg. O punte din lemn la partea din spate amintește de puntea unui iaht și ascunde un seif de 30 de litri, în timp ce spațiul de bagaje are o capacitate de 400 de litri. Planșa de bord este realizată din mahon, cu un panou glisant. Baza din lemn a farurilor adaugă un detaliu nautic. Ușile de tip „butterfly” și o suspensie frontală cu ridicare completează designul.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronz

Gillet Bellariva Supercar a câștigat A' Design Award de Bronz, o recunoaștere extrem de prestigioasă acordată designurilor remarcabile care se disting prin creativitate, ingeniozitate și istețime. Câștigătorii Bronzului sunt artefacte din plin pricepute și izbitor de creative, care atestă experiența vastă, imaginația și resursele designerilor lor. Se așteaptă ca Gillet Bellariva Supercar să fie un obiect foarte apreciat, admirat și prețuit, remarcabil de profesionist și inovator. Acest design câștigător al A' Design Award de Bronz încorporează cele mai bune practici din artă, știință, design și tehnologie și este excelent prin atenția la detalii. Gillet Bellariva Supercar satisface splendid nevoile, atinge dorințele, vrăjește sentimentele și stârnește curiozitatea.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: New unique exterior design architecture for front engined cars. The car interior has a complete rear wood deck with a strong nautical appeal and a hidden 30L safe, a cargo space of 400L and a double counter under the sliding panel on the mahogany wood’s dashboard. The wooden base of the front headlights is an original stylistic touch that integrates perfectly with the spirit of the car.
Dimensions & Packaging: Lenght 4.46 m, width 1.94 m, height 1.19 m, weight 1200 kg, V6 biturbo petrol engine (can operates with only 3 cylinders when needed for lower emissions), engine type V6 biturbo, engine power 580 BHP, 30L safe, 400 L trunk space
Tags: Speedboat for the road, Streetyacht, Hybrid concept design car, Riva Boats, Classic elegance supercar
Production Technology: Design draws and 1:1 scale model to optimize the car shape.
Hand built carbon fiber chassis and hand built carbon fiber body for the maximum lightweight construction of the car.
Design Challenge: Combine the shape of a sportcars with the look of a speedboat or yacht was the hardest challenge. The idea of using the image of a boat that runs through the entire car and blends harmoniously with it allowed to overcome this conceptual obstacle.
Research: An extensive visual web search was conducted to identify the stylistic traits that have made certain automobile models of the past particularly fascinating and famous over time. The research was conducted almost entirely through the Google search engine. Images of cars produced in the last century were viewed and saved, with a particular focus on the most iconic cars, considered among the most beautiful in the world (with particular attention to cars such as the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Pontoon, Alfa Romeo Disco Volante, Alfa Romeo BAT 5-7-9, Jaguar E-Type, Mercedes SLR 300 Uhlenhaut and Porsche 993 GT1).. This research was conducted personally by Mr. Francesco Riva over a period of approximately a decade. The research allowed Mr. Riva to identify the most aesthetically appealing shapes to use on the BellaRiva. Nautical inspiration also led to the innovative design of the headlights, which flow from the outside to the inside of the car while remaining below the hood line. The new automotive design concept conceived by Mr. Riva was later able to be implemented thanks to the meeting between Mr. Riva and Mr. Tony Gillet, founder of the Belgian automobile manufacturer Gillet Automobiles.
Inspiration: This supercar reinterprets in a modern key the automotive design of the golden age of the 50s and 60s, with particular focus on cars today considered among the most beautiful and prestigious in the world, such as the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Pontoon and Ferrari 250 GTO, taking inspiration from luxury speedboats and yachts.
Project Duration: Project has started in January 2022 and will be completed shortly, latest in April 2026. The project location is Gembloux, Belgium, at Gillet Automobiles.
Operation Flow: Vehicle focused on luxury elegance, comfort and top performances. It has butterfly doors for a greater look. The front lift suspension ‘allows the car to avoid obstacles on the road. The 30L safe offers the highest secutity for great value objects or documents. The car is conforttable for every day use or long journeys. The engine is also capable of operating on just 3 cylinders to minimize fuel consumption and emissions in the city or when needed.
Patents: Patent procedure in progress.
Team Members: Francesco Riva
Tony Gillet
Patrick Bataille
Maxime Barthelemy
Vincent Barbereau
Image Credits: Image #1: Creator Gillet Automobiles, 2025
Image #2: Photographer Francesco Riva, 2025
Image #3: Creator Gillet Automobiles, 2025
Image #4: Creator Gillet Automobiles, 2025
Image #5: Designer Jose’ Figueres, 2022