What's the news?
Among the exciting new metal (or should that be composite?) making official debuts at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show will be the Automobili Pininfarina Battista.
This electric hypercar is the first model to emerge from the company that carries the name of one of the most famous design houses in automotive history, and three different versions will be on show to demonstrate the customisation available to well-heeled buyers.
Named after Pininfarina's founder, Battista 'Pinin' Farina, this electric hypercar boasts some impressive numbers. The ultra-luxurious car features carbon fibre construction and electric motors that produce a total of 1,900hp and a staggering 2,300Nm of torque. A total driving range fo 450 kilometres is expected and with that comes a 0-100km/h time that is said to be less than two seconds while the Battista can accelerate to 300km/h in under 12 seconds. The Geneva Motor Show will be the first opportunity the public will have to see the car that is set to launch in 2020.
The first will feature a satin grey body with anodised aluminium detailing and accents that are finished in satin Blu Iconica. That Blu Iconica colour, which closely resembles the Pininfarina brand's colour covers the second car. That example of the Batista takes on a more dramatic appearance due to bonnet and wing modifications and carbon fibre blades that visually link the bonnet to the windscreen. Above the LED light strip on the front is a smaller wing that has a similar design to that of the rear.
Automobili Pininfarina's Design Director, Luca Borgogno explains: "We wanted the Battista to be very Italian, with sensual curves to give back a feeling of the cars of the '60s and the moment in time when sensual design in cars was to the fore and when Pininfarina really became iconic. The body form speaks this Italian language, with the details developed in collaboration with each car's owner adding the accents and personality."
Anything else?
As the development of the Battista continues, Pininfarina has confirmed that "one of the most highly respected engineers" that has already been involved with a Formula One-inspired hypercar is set to join the project. The exact identity will be announced on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show at a special preview event. There can't be too many individuals in the world that match such criteria, so until 4th March, it's going to be an exciting guessing game.