Exotic Pininfarina Battista EV Brings 1,900 HP

The Pininfarina Battista, a 1,900-hp exotic electric vehicle with a carbon-fiber body and a motor at each wheel, debuts at this week's Geneva auto show.

The two-seat coupe is the first luxury vehicle from Munich, Germany-based Automobili Pininfarina, which was established one year ago by the Mahindra Group to challenge the established Bugatti and Pagani hypercars powered by turbocharged 12-cyl. and 16-cyl. powerplants.

The new automaker was announced last April at the Rome Formula-E race by Mahindra Chairman Anand Mahindra, Pininfarina Chairman Paolo Pininfarina and Mahindra Racing Chairman Pawan Goenka.

As the company's first model (in a range of four already planned), the Pininfarina Battista was created to honor the founder of the world-famous coachbuilder.

Battista was an energetic racing driver, engineer and family man – qualities the development team wanted reflected in the Battista, says design director Carlo Bonzanigo.

Its aerodynamic, elegant bodywork was designed, engineered and built in Turin, Italy, by Pininfarina (established in 1930). 

The groundbreaking hypercar offers stellar performance combined with ultra-luxury. The four electric motors produce 1,696 lb.-ft. (2,300 Nm) of torque and will accelerate from 0-60 mph (100 km/h) in less than two seconds and on to 186 mph (300 km/h) in less than 12 seconds, all with a potential zero-emissions range of more than 280 miles (450 km). The hypercar was developed in cooperation with renowned Croatia-based specialist Rimac, which supplied high-tech components.

Michael Perschke, Automobili Pininfarina CEO, says his German company is committed to a limited production run of 150 units, selling at some €2 million ($2.3 million) each, with first deliveries expected by 2020.

Bonzanigo says the look and character of the car will be finalized according to the buyer’s expectations, with a range of options: discreet and elegant, or perhaps with a stronger and more visual impact. Preliminary views in California have drawn polarized comments from potential customers. Some love the car as it is, while others want a more bullish look.