A DREAM REALIZED
Written by Andre James
Photos courtesy of Pininfarina SpA
When its sensuous shape was unveiled amid much fanfare at a gala VIP event on the eve the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, Pininfarina’s Battista arguably became the world’s most covetable all-electric hypercar. No more than 150 will be handbuilt in Italy, with first deliveries scheduled for 2020, to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the legendary Pininfarina SpA design house, founded by Battista “Pinin” Farina.
“This is genuinely a dream come true,” said Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman, Pininfarina SpA. “My grandfather always had the vision that one day there would be a stand-alone range of Pininfarina-branded cars. This hypercar will boast world-beating performance, technological innovation and of course elegant styling. For me, we simply had to call it Battista. His dream becomes reality as we link our glorious past with the future of motoring.”
The triumvirate of Battista models presented at the world premiere were developed under the guidance of a dream team of automotive experts that have been integral to the launches of cars such as the Bugatti Veyron and Chiron, Ferrari Sergio, Lamborghini Urus, McLaren P1, Mercedes AMG-Project One, Pagani Zonda and Porsche Mission E.
Both the monocoque chassis and body are comprised of carbon fiber. The T-shaped 120 kWh battery pack is configured with four motors that independently distribute torque and power to each wheel, thereby delivering all the benefits of modern torque vectoring. Cooling circuits and systems are based around five radiators.
Conjoining extreme performance with zero emissions, the roadlegal Battista will be faster than a current Formula 1 race car; its 1,900hp engine enables a 0-60mph sprint in under two seconds. With an estimated range of more than 200 miles per charge, the all-wheel drive Battista will offer five different drive modes for a range of scenarios. An on-board sound program will allow the driver to tailor the noise the Battista makes, focusing on vehicle hardware, rather than artificial sounds, to generate acoustic entertainment. Beefy carbon-ceramic 6-piston brakes provide fade-free deceleration and battery regeneration.
“The Battista represents purity, beauty and rarity, and a vision for sustainability that appeals to the heart as much as the head,” said Michael Perschke, CEO, Automobili Pininfarina. “Electrification unlocks the door to a new level of performance and a zero-emissions future, whilst a passion and respect for automotive history will define how this landmark car looks and feels. We aim for the Battista to be a future classic and automotive icon, writing its own page in automotive history books.”
While Pininfarina presented a trio of specifications in bespoke colors, there will be a high level of customization, with lucky buyers working closing with designers at the factory in Cambiano. The company plans to split sales equally among Europe, North America and the rest of the world. Joining the elite club of Battista owners comes with a $2 million+ price tag (official pricing wasn’t available as of press time), a figure that hasn’t deterred the cognoscenti of cars in the United States, who have already reserved more than half of the continent’s allocation.
