Testing and development of Automobili Pininfarina’s Battista, a fully electric hypercar, has commenced, headed by former Mercedes-AMG exec Rene Wollmann, the company’s sportscar director. Behind the wheel will be former Formula 1 and Formula E competitor Nick Heidfeld, now a development driver and ambassador for the Italian luxury car marque.
Wollmann commented, “The mule vehicles running the chassis and powertrain concepts for Battista have already achieved 80% of their performance capability without issues. This means that our EV performance is already equal to the most powerful combustion-engine powered hypercar currently in the world. In the simulation and wind tunnel testing phase, by fine tuning the aero packaging we’ve already seen a significant increase in the potential range of Battista versus our original prediction.
“In the next six months we will progress to delivering a thrilling pure-electric hypercar that seamlessly produces 1,900hp and 2,300Nm torque across a range of driving modes to suit varying environments. Our clients cannot wait to experience this performance alongside Nick Heidfeld.”
The team at Automobili Pininfarina will now undertake a rapid development program of exhaustive testing over the coming months.
Led by chief design officer Luca Borgogno, the design team has created a unique livery for the Battista prototypes.
Borgogno said, “We have been humbled by the overwhelmingly positive response to the aesthetics of Battista since it was first revealed. We have chosen to create a playful and interesting prototype livery design that is clearly inspired by the electrifying performance that lies beneath its beautiful exterior.
“Our ambition is always to further delight our future clients. To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the famous Pininfarina design house, the team at Automobili Pininfarina is now preparing the ultimate expression of Battista hypercar design, ready for its world premiere at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show.”
The first hand-crafted Battistas will be handed over to clients at the end of 2020 in Cambiano, Italy.