- Electric performance driven by a ''race-to-road'' technology drives ambition for segment-leading statistics and a place in automotive connoisseurs’ ‘must-have’ lists
- Hypercar statistics will be backed with beautiful design, zero emissions, significant range and connectivity/mobility solutions
- The first Pininfarina-branded stand-alone car - codename PF0 - will be revealed in 2019 following a series of private viewings over the next 12 months
TURIN/MUNICH, 18 APRIL 2018
Rome’s successful first Formula E race (Friday 13th / Saturday 14th April) also hosted the official launch of the Automobili Pininfarina car brand. Supported by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, the world’s newest luxury electric car company will produce the first solely Pininfarina-branded cars from 2020.
Automobili Pininfarina has now also confirmed stunning indicative performance targets that will place its first model – an ultra-low volume zero-emissions luxury hypercar – in the top tier of performance cars: sustainable luxury and extreme statistics from a famous automotive name.
0 – 100 km/h (62 mph): < 2 seconds
0 – 300 km/h (186 mph): < 12 seconds
Top speed: > 400 km/h (250mph)
Range: > 500 km (310miles)
The challenging performance targets are supported by rapidly-growing race-winning electric power experience from Mahindra Racing''s Formula E pedigree, as well as early partnership discussions with some of the world’s leading electric technology and software innovators.
Automobili Pininfarina will also develop all of its luxury cars through a close and ongoing collaboration with the world''s most celebrated automotive design house Pininfarina SpA. Reinforcing that relationship, Automobili Pininfarina has confirmed that Luca Burgogno will join from Pininfarina SpA as Automobili Pininfarina’s Design Director. Prior to joining Automobili Pininfarina, Burgogno led Lamborghini’s Turin design studio, and he joins the management team led by CEO Michael Perschke being formed in Italy and Germany ahead of first sales in all major global markets in 2020.
Design direction is underway for Pininfarina''s first luxury cars and to accompany the target performance figures, Burgogno has released early indicative design sketches that are being discussed with potential clients in private at exclusive gatherings and automotive events over the coming months.
The first such gathering celebrated the launch of the new car company on Friday 13th April at Rome''s Palazzo Barberini, part of Italy''s National Gallery of Ancient Art. Automobili Pininfarina hosted a gala dinner for more than 200 guests from the world of art, fashion and sport as well as a number of automotive collectors, many of whom already own Pininfarina-designed cars from the company’s rich heritage stretching back to 1930.
Michael Perschke, CEO Automobili Pininfarina, said: "Following a successful launch in Rome, we now face a new 30-month race of our own to deliver our promise and the Pininfarina family''s dream: luxury sustainable hyper-performance beautiful electric cars branded Pininfarina. Our initial performance targets are aggressive, yes, but our ambition is to set standards in both performance and design: we believe it is what Pininfarina stands for.
"Our first car, codenamed PF0, will define us by its looks, performance and respectful integration of the Pininfarina heritage: to that end we will, in the coming months, meet as many Pininfarina-designed car owners as possible in private and at the world’s leading automobile events starting Pebble Beach. Our own experience, and that of our selected partners, in electrification, luxury design, mobility services and luxury car sales will provide a great platform. But the key is to deliver Pininfarina cars true to the badge and relevant for 2020 and beyond."
EDITOR''S NOTES
THE AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA BATTISTA (PRESS KIT LINK)
The Battista will be the most powerful car ever designed and built in Italy and it will deliver a level of performance that is unachievable today in any road-legal sports car featuring internal combustion engine technology. Faster than a current Formula 1 race car in its 0 -100 km/h sub-two second sprint, and with 1,900 hp and 2,340 Nm torque on tap, the Battista will combine extreme engineering and technology in a zero emissions package. The Battista’s 120 kWh battery provides power to four electric motors – one at each wheel – with a combined WLTP range of up to 476 km (296 miles), US EPA combined: 300 miles on a single charge. No more than 150 examples of Battista will be individually hand-crafted at the Battista Atelier in Cambiano, Italy.
ABOUT AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA
Automobili Pininfarina is based in operational headquarters in Munich, Germany, with a team of experienced automotive executives from luxury and premium car brands. Designed, engineered, and produced by hand in Italy, the Battista hyper GT and all future models will be sold in all major global markets under the brand name Pininfarina. The new company aims to be the most desired, sustainable luxury car brand in the world.
The company is a 100 per cent Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd investment.