Automobili Pininfarina has an exclusive interview with Team TCI
The future of the brand’s future and new products get discussed
Italian hypercar manufacturer Automobili Pininfarina wowed the world when it showcased its first luxury hypercar, the Battista. The automaker recently put the 1900hp all-electric luxury performance car into production at its new Atelier facility. And Team TCI got an opportunity to interview the brand’s top executives about the Battista, the new facility and the future of the brand’s product line-up post the Battista.
The Pininfarina Battista shares a host of its underpinnings with the Croatian electric hypercar Rimac Nevera. Upon enquiring about how the Italian carmaker aims to distinguish the Battista, Automobili Pininfarina’s Chief Product and Engineering Officer, Paolo Dellachà answered, “Unique chassis tuning grants Battista a distinctive character that makes it a very special proposition within the hypercar segment, effortlessly combining outstanding vehicle dynamics with a safe and reassuring driving experience.” He went on to say that the Battista would feature five defined driving modes and a completely new sound concept, SUONO PURO, that “adds to this experience, contributing to an emotional attachment to Battista whilst driving.”
Dave Amantea, Chief Design Officer of the brand, stated, “Every Battista will be bespoke to its owner. With our newly revamped Atelier, clients are invited to a dedicated commissioning lounge to design their Battista one-on-one with me through our bespoke programme”.
The utilisation of recyclable and sustainable materials is vital in the future of automobile production. With the production of the Battista commencing a few months ago, we asked about the application of sustainable materials in the Battista. Dave Amantea answered, “The interior carpets are crafted using Econyl, an entirely recycled material created using nylon waste, including plastic recovered from the ocean. The leather found in the interior is tanned by a local Italian supplier using the leaves from regional olive tree harvesting. Ordinarily, the leaves are burned, however, this process turns them into a liquid that tans the leather without chemicals. The leaves are collected twice a year as they fall when the seasons change and are entirely traceable in every Battista.”
While a host of recyclable materials gets deployed in the Battista hyper-GT, we question Paolo if any such sustainable techniques get used within the production process of the Battista itself. He answered that the Atelier facility sees the recommissioning of pneumatic screwdrivers that “are powered by compressed air in place of electricity while also respecting the facility’s coachbuilding heritage and techniques.”
While on the subject of coachbuilding heritage, we enquired if one can expect the brand to revisit its coachbuilding roots in the future. “We are proud to offer an endless opportunity for customisation from the body to materials,” said Dave Amantea. He further commented that Battista customers could “select the exposed signature carbon fibre bodywork, an industry first” or opt for bespoke carbon fibre components around the exterior to enhance performance and presence.
Most carmakers consider battery-powered cars as the clear favourites for the future of mobility. Yet, brands like Toyota and Honda have also ventured into the path of hydrogen fuel-cell technology. In the case of Automobili Pininfarina, “we are currently focused on designing and engineering battery electric vehicles”, commented Paolo Dellachà.
Enthusiasts would know that Pininfarina gained a reputation over the years as an esteemed design house. However, the design house has now transformed itself into the world’s first pure-electric luxury car brand, starting with the Battista. Hence, the question of seeing more Pininfarina-designed cars in the future begged to be asked. Dave Amantea commented, “the company was founded to realise the dream of iconic designer Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, who held the ambition to see a range of vehicles created bearing only the Pininfarina name”. Even with Indian carmaker Mahindra at the helm of Automobili Pininfarina as its new parent company, Paolo Dellachà maintained that their team “is responsible for the design, development and creation of Automobili Pininfarina pure-electric luxury cars in exclusivity.”
The Battista hyper-GT cements itself as the first exclusive Automobili Pininfarina product. On being asked about the upcoming launches post the Battista, Paolo Dellachà said, “We’re on track to deliver the next generation of Italian, bespoke, electrified experiences by Automobili Pininfarina with an exciting product portfolio that will create a new era of Gran Turismo driving pleasure.”
Lastly, we popped the all-important question on the possibility of seeing a Pininfarina-branded SUV or crossover in the future. “We are exploring market trends and how our product portfolio can expand in the future and are prepared to redefine a new sector”, commented Paolo Dellachà.
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