PR86981

NARDO, Italy and TURIN, Italy, Dec. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

     -- New Automobili Pininfarina Battista has completed its first high

        speed and handling tests at the Nardo Technical Center in Italy

     -- Comprehensive test programme is underway as Automobili Pininfarina

        engineers fine-tune Battista's unique dynamics package including

        five selectable driving modes

     -- EleF will make new Battista the most powerful Italian sportscar

        ever produced, combining 1,900 PS and 2,300 Nm of torque

    -- Watch the Battista hyper GT prototype in action for the first time

        here: youtu.be/et8ZzcRIXGc

Automobili Pininfarina has reached a landmark moment in the development of its

new Battista, as the pure electric hyper GT completed its first high speed test

programme at the Nardo Technical Centre in Italy.

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1346456/Battista_Prototype___Pure_Power_Film.mp4

Foto - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1346305/Battista_High_Speed_Dynamic_Tests_1.jpg

Foto - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1346311/Battista_High_Speed_Dynamic_Tests_2.jpg

Foto - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1346310/Battista_High_Speed_Dynamic_Tests_3.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1346405/Automobili_Pininfarina_Logo.jpg

The successful test marks the beginning of the next chapter in the development

programme of the most powerful Italian sports car ever produced. This will see

nine test and validation versions of the pure-electric Battista driven on public roads

and in private test facilities to fine-tune, validate and homologate its bespoke chassis

settings, advanced torque vectoring system and unique sound experience.

Test Driver and Vehicle Dynamics Manager Georgios Syropoulos concluded a series

of dynamic tests at the world-famous proving ground, including sprints around

the circular banking of the 12.6 km Nardo-ring and laps of the twisting 6.2 km

handling track.

Automobili Pininfarina Chief Product and Engineering Officer, Paolo Dellachà,

said: "This test is an exciting moment for our clients and the team at

Automobili Pininfarina as we complete another phase In the development of the

most powerful Italian sports car ever made. We have undertaken extensive

development using advanced simulation technology, and we can now fine-tune the

calibration of Battista's bespoke chassis and pioneering four-motor torque

vectoring system on road and track."

The Battista's 120 kWh battery provides power to four electric motors – one at

each wheel – for a combined power output of 1,900 hp and maximum torque of

2,300 Nm. Its advanced powertrain is able to intelligently distribute power

between all four wheels for optimised traction in all conditions and allows

customers to tailor the driving experience to suit their personal tastes using

five unique driving modes (Calma, Pura, Energica, Furiosa and Carattere).

Automobili Pininfarina Test Driver and Vehicle Dynamics Manager Georgios

Syropoulos, said: "The phenomenal performance potential of the Battista is

clear. Our clients will never have experienced acceleration like this before,

yet giving them the opportunity to tailor their experience using a range of

drive modes means this hypercar offers much more than just speed thrills. With

a zero-emissions range of 500kms and sophisticated all-wheel drive technology,

every drive in Battista will be a pleasure."

The prototype Battista testing at the Nardo Technical Centre is not a

stripped-out development mule.  Beneath its elegant carbon fibre skin, a fully

finished interior complete with luxuriously executed detailing, gave engineers

the opportunity to assess every element of the new hyper GT.

TAILORED DRIVING EXPERIENCE

Bespoke chassis settings will ensure the Battista hyper GT delivers a unique

dynamic experience that can be tailored to suit every trip. This test phase has

allowed Automobili Pininfarina's engineers to develop and fine-tune a range of

technologies to optimise the driving dynamics, including:

    -- Brake tuning: Battista is the first electric hypercar to feature

       advanced racing-inspired Brembo CCMR carbon-ceramic brake

       technology. Work will focus on blending their operation with the

       high speed aerobrake and energy recuperation system, for optimum

       performance and driver confidence.

    -- Torque Vectoring: Four-motor torque vectoring will be uniquely tuned

       to suit the bespoke hyper GT characteristics of the Battista,

       delivering incredible traction and driver confidence in all

       conditions. Energy-neutral torque vectoring will be optimised to

       recuperate and shift electrical energy seamlessly for enhanced range

       and efficiency.

    -- Tailored chassis settings: After around 1,000 of hours of virtual

       dynamic testing; double-wishbone suspension components, forged

       aluminium wheels, torsion bars and elastokinematics will be

       evaluated and fine-tuned, taking maximum advantage of the Battista's

       ultra-stiff carbon fibre monocoque to perfect the driving experience.

    -- Drive mode validation: Advanced torque vectoring gives Automobili

       Pininfarina the ability to create more distinct characteristics

       between each driving mode than in a conventional ICE vehicle. Final

       software tuning and validation for each of Battista's five drive

       modes will take place on road and track.

    -- Tyre validation: Customers will have a choice of 20-inch forged

       aluminium front and rear 'Prezioso' wheels and 20-inch front and 21-

       inch rear forged aluminium 'Impulso' wheels, with a saving of 8.9

       kilograms in unsprung mass across all wheels, with corresponding

       high performance tyres: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R or Pirelli P

       Zero. Engineers will optimise the chassis settings to suit each

       application during the dynamic test phase.

    -- High speed aerodynamics: Following simulation and wind tunnel

       testing, the unique exterior design and active aerodynamics of the

       Battista will be fine tuned during track testing to ensure the

       sculpted bodyworks delivers the refinement, aerodynamic stability

       and performance expected from a luxurious hyper GT.

    -- Sound Experience: Battista will deliver a unique driving experience

       in every sense and dynamic development will enable technicians to

       evolve in-car and external soundscape to suit the hyper GT's DNA in

       all driving environments.

When the first vehicles are delivered to clients in 2021, Battista will

accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62mph) in sub two-seconds – faster than a current

Formula 1 car. It will also sprint from 0-300 km/h (0-186mph) in less than 12

seconds and have a top speed of 350 km/h (217mph).

CONNECTED LUXURY

The luxurious hyper GT will combine blistering performance with seamless global

roaming thanks to a partnership with integrated communications leader, Deutsche

Telekom. The agreement ensures Battista customers will enjoy online

connectivity worldwide without interruption or incurring additional charges.

This advanced connectivity supports Over-The-Air technology, which is capable

of remotely updating software for 26 individual control modules on the

Battista, encompassing everything from the pure-electric powertrain to the

infotainment. Smart Diagnostics technology will also monitor the hyper GT to

spot potential issues before they arise, bringing 21st century connectivity to

the sector for the first time.

The suite of customer-friendly digital services offered with every Battista

also includes complimentary charging in partnership with ChargePoint and the

availability of a Pininfarina SpA-designed wallbox in the same colour as the hypercar.

The Automobili Pininfarina Battista is named after Battista 'Pinin' Farina, the

founder of the Carrozzeria Pininfarina coachbuilding company, which he

established in 1930. The pure electric hyper GT is the realisation of

Battista's dream to see a car produced wearing the Pininfarina name and the

first vehicles will be delivered to customers in 2021. No more than 150

examples will be created, by hand, in Cambiano, Italy, providing a unique

combination of legendary design DNA and electrified technology.

For more information, visit

automobili-pininfarina.com/media-zone

EDITOR'S NOTES

ABOUT AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA

Automobili Pininfarina is based in operational headquarters in Munich, Germany,

with a team of experienced automotive executives from luxury and premium car

brands. Designed, engineered and produced by hand in Italy, the Battista

hypercar and all future models will be sold and serviced in all major global

markets under the brand name Pininfarina. The new company aims to be the most

sustainable luxury car brand in the world.

The company is a 100 per cent Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd investment and has been

named Automobili Pininfarina following the signing of a trademark licence

agreement between Pininfarina S.p.A. and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Pininfarina

S.p.A. will take an influential role in supporting design and production

capacities based on their unique 90-year experience of producing many of the

world's most iconic cars.

Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra & Mahindra, Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman of

Pininfarina S.p.A., and Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman, Mahindra Racing, launched

the new car brand at the Rome Formula E race on 13th April 2018. Mahindra has

quickly built up experience of cutting-edge 'race-to-road' sustainable

high-performance technological innovation having competed in every Formula E

race since the world's most innovative motor racing series began in 2013.

ABOUT PAOLO DELLACHA, CHIEF PRODUCT AND ENGINEERING OFFICER

Responsible for development of the future range of Automobili Pininfarina

sustainable luxury electric cars, Dellacha (45) previously held senior testing,

engineering and design roles at Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo.

ABOUT GEORGIOS SYROPOULOS, TEST DRIVER AND VEHICLE DYNAMICS ENGINEER

Syropoulos (40) has spent more than 15 years helping to develop and engineer

high performance luxury cars and sportscars, focussing on EVs with experience

working with Lotus, Tesla and Faraday Future among others.

SOURCE  Automobili Pininfarina