PR93379

CAMBIANO, Italy, Dec, 1. 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-  Automobili Pininfarina Test and Development Driver Nick Heidfeld has

completed a comprehensive assessment of the production-intent Battista, ahead

of client deliveries in 2022

- Heidfeld has brought his motorsport and EV pedigree to Italy's most powerful

production vehicle ever, working with Automobili Pininfarina engineers to

create a truly unique hyper GT

- Heidfeld experienced the Battista on the road and track in Italy in

production-intent form, accompanied by its emotive soundscape for the first time

- Battista performance data headines: 1,900 hp and 2,360 Nm of torque, 0-100

km/h in less than two  seconds and a zero-emissions driving range of up to 500

km

- Four independent electric motors and powerful 120 kWh lithium-ion battery,

combined with advanced intelligent four-wheel torque vectoring deliver an

unrivalled driving experience

-Five drive modes deliver distinct driving characteristics, with Calma, Pura,

Energica, Furiosa and Carattere modes tailoring the experience to the

preference of the driver

As the Battista pure-electric hyper GT nears its final phsase of development

and customer deliveries early in 2022, revered racer and Automobili Pininfarina

Test and Development Driver Nick Heidfeld has taken the opportunity to appraise

the most powerful Italian sports car ever created, on road and track near the

company's engineering and operations centre in northern Italy.

Automobili Pininfarina's engineers have worked with ex-Formula One and Formula

E driver Nick Heidfeld since the start of the Battista development programme.

Nick said: "It has been a real privilege to play a part in developing Battista,

which represents a significant evolution in the world of hyper and luxury cars.

From the first time I experienced Battista's performance in 2019 in an advanced

simulator, to today on road and track, I believe the Automobili Pininfarina

team has successfully developed a unique hyper GT that is enormous fun, as well

as incredibly fast."

As the most powerful production car to ever come out of Italy, engineering

excellence has been the constant throughout development, and the tailored

driving experience provided by the Battista's advanced e-powertrain and bespoke

driving dynamics has impressed Heidfeld throughout.

The full 1,900 hp is experienced in Furiosa mode, which also utilises the full

torque available from the four independent electric motors, combining to

deliver a 0-100 km/h time of less than two seconds and a top speed of 350 km/h.

Originally projected to produce 2,300 Nm of torque, Battista is now developing

an increased 2,360 Nm. This comes from two 250 kW motors at the front, and two

450 kW motors at the rear, with 280 Nm of torque for each front motor and 900

Nm at each rear motor.

Nick Heidfeld said: "In this test I was able to drive Battista with full power

available. The effect under acceleration is completely mindbending - drivers

will never bore of the experience, no matter how many times they feel it. This

road car sprints faster than a Formula 1 car, and in Furiosa mode, I was left

with a huge grin on my face every time. Every client that experienced Battista

with me was positively overwhelmed by the experience - there is simply nothing

like it."

Heidfeld continued: "Battista is a beautiful piece of design, and its

formidable presence is now enhanced by its unique exterior sound. With Battista

in Furiosa mode, the exterior sound is at its most audible setting and it

instantly made me smile on approach. You hear Battista before you see it - the

car appears 'alive', and it helps develop an emotional connection that I

honestly did not expect. The team had a tough target to hit here, and I believe

this strategy is now proving a success."

Four independent high-performance electric permanent-magnet synchronous motors

(PMSM) independently distribute power to each wheel through the Battista's

advanced torque vectoring system, which delivers infinitely variable driving

dynamics.

The system recuperates and transfers electrical energy without using the brakes

- the active energy shifting takes place directly via the four electric motors,

resulting in a much faster, more precise and efficient shift of torque compared

with torque vectoring by braking.

Control of the driving experience is provided by a beautifully-milled rotary

dial, ergonomically situated right next to the driver, allowing for quick

changes in driving mode between Pura, Calma, Energica, Furiosa and Carattere

settings - each one lending a unique character to the Battista's drive,

perfectly adapted to a range of driving conditions.

Heidfeld said: "The handling on open roads - even on unpredictable surfaces -

proved Battista to be beautifully balanced. Just how a hyper GT should feel.

Battista's performance on track had already surprised and impressed me after I

experienced it in Nardo earlier this year, so my expectations on this occasion

were set high. This test however confirmed that the team has achieved its

target of creating a new type of hyper GT which is rewarding on all surfaces.

The ride quality and damping both feel excellent, and the steering feels

natural and the perfect fit for what we want to achieve in Battista. I am very

sensitive to steering feel as a racing driver, and the sweet spot here is for

it to feel light yet connected, and direct yet smooth."

Calibrated using thousands of miles of software simulation before being

introduced to development cars, the driving modes allow the driver to fine-tune

the driving experience and unlock both the full potential of the advanced

torque vectoring system and honed characteristics of the Battista as a hyper

GT.

Paolo Dellacha, Automobili Pininfarina Chief Product and Engineering Officer

remarked: "Our cooperation with Nick Heidfeld started in 2019, when he

participated in the first physical ergonomic test of the Battista interior

model; evaluating the driving position and the proposed HMI system. This was

followed by him 'virtually' testing Battista in an advanced driving simulator

where we started to tune the hyper GT's bespoke chassis dynamics set-up.  Nick

has been a brilliant partner throughout the whole development programme, not

only for his driving skills and unique experience in both Formula 1 and Formula

E, but also for his ability to evaluate and improve the programme in its

various stages of development by delivering the anticipated view of our

customers.

"This input was essential as we aimed to combine the extreme performance of a

hypercar with a much wider spectra of usability in Battista, where outstanding

power and torque are always accessible, safe and enjoyable on roads every day.

Battista now has incredibly refined body and axle balance, perfect integration

of e-powertrain and chassis domain controls, and optimum specific calibrations

of its five Drive Modes. Coupled with its highly-connected User Interface and

unique Sound Experience, Battista is now redefining the essence of Granturismo."

BATTISTA TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

PERFORMANCE

    -- Range: up to 500 km

    -- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: Under 2.0 seconds

    -- Acceleration 0-300 km/h: Under 12.0 seconds

    -- Power output: 1,900 hp

    -- Max. torque: 2,360 Nm

    -- Top speed: 350 km/h

    -- Drive: All-wheel drive with full torque vectoring

    -- Driving modes:

       -- Calma

       -- Pura

       -- Energica

       -- Furiosa

       -- Carattere (The option drivers may select to modify Battista

          performance and dynamics to their own preference)

BRAKES

    -- Brembo CCMR carbon-ceramic 390 mm discs with six-piston calipers front

       and rear

WHEELS

    -- Standard: 20-inch forged aluminium front and rear 'Prezioso' wheels, or:

    -- Optional: 20-inch front and 21-inch rear forged aluminium 'Impulso'

       wheels

TYRES

    -- Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R

BODY

    -- Full-carbon fibre monocoque with carbon fibre body panels Aluminium

       crash structure front and rear

BATTERY PACK

    -- Layout: T-shaped liquid-cooled lithium-ion

    -- Supplier: Rimac Automobili

    -- Battery energy: 120 kWh

CHARGING

    -- DC fast charging capability at up to 250 kW

PRICING

From EUR1.98 million plus local taxes

For more information, visit

automobili-pininfarina.com/media-zone

EDITOR'S NOTES

THE AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA BATTISTA

The Battista will be the most powerful car ever designed and built in Italy and

it will deliver a level of performance that is unachievable today in any

road-legal sports car featuring internal combustion engine technology. Faster

than a current Formula 1 race car in its 0 -100 km/h sub-two second sprint, and

with 1,900 hp and 2,360 Nm torque on tap, the Battista will combine extreme

engineering and technology in a zero emissions package. The Battista's 120 kWh

battery provides power to four electric motors – one at each wheel – with a

simulated WLTP range of over 500 km (310 miles) on a single charge. No more

than 150 Battistas will be individually hand-crafted at the Pininfarina SpA

atelier in Cambiano, Italy.

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 hyper

GT 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.

For full gallery, please go to Dropbox link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ngac5sos0qpkaao/AAAmd1NxMWKLipA8hoy7GCYPa?dl=0

Photo -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1699414/Nick_Heidfeld_Tests_Battista_1.jpg

Photo -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1699415/Nick_Heidfeld_Tests_Battista_2.jpg  

Photo -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1699418/Nick_Heidfeld_Tests_Battista_3.jpg  

Photo -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1699420/Nick_Heidfeld_Tests_Battista_4.jpg  

Photo -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1699422/Nick_Heidfeld_Tests_Battista_5.jpg  

Photo -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1699721/Torque_Vectoring_Infographic_Infographic.jpg

SOURCE: Automobili Pininfarina