The Pininfarina Battista EV Hypercar is already anticipated to be one of the most stunning Italian creations of all time. As a result, it should come as no surprise that a one-off, ultra-limited edition Leonardo Da Vinci inspired Battista is set to go on display in London to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the artist’s death.
Between June 7th and 9th of this year, the special Pininfarina Battista will be on display at the British Library in London, United Kingdom. Part of an exhibition called, “A Mind in Motion”, this rare Italian ride did not find itself connected to the legendary artist Leonardo Da Vinci by chance.
The Pininfarina Battista EV is a True Work of Art
Pininfarina’s Design Director Luca Borgogno enthusiastically explains the Battista’s connection to Da Vinci: “Leonardo was a true Italian genius, the first person to combine the disciplines of art, design and engineering – and from Leonardo in the 16th Century to Pininfarina in 2019, these principles remain strong.”
Starting in late 2020, the Pininfarina Battista EV Hypercar is set to be one of the most ridiculous cars ever produced on any continent. Powered by a 120 kWh lithium ion battery, co-produced with Rimac, the Battista is expected to be able to produce upwards of 1,900 brake horsepower with 1,696 feet of torque.
“We wanted to keep the form and proportion of a traditional supercar. We did a lot of research, thought about how much of a spaceship it could have been, but elected to create something in line with our history, true to Pininfarina’s values. The cabin pushing forward, the long tail balancing the visual weight – it’s still the best configuration you can find. For us it was clear this was the way to go. It takes back some of the beauty of the 1960’s, the sensuality. Look at the cars in our museum upstairs: what really strikes you is the purity and beauty,” said Borgogno.
These specs are supposed to be able to propel this supercar from 0-60 mph in less than 2 seconds. It is anticipated to be able to go from 0-186 mph in under 12 seconds. These lightning fast speeds help to make the case for the future of automobiles as we know it; with performance like this, it would seem that electromobility is here to stay.
The EV innovation at the heart of the Battista is pretty exceptional. This car is expected to be quicker than a current Formula 1 race car while producing what Pininfarina has called a “zero emissions package”. While this is a bold claim, it is a positive direction for the future of electric vehicles as eco-friendly sustainable cars and high performance machines.
Automobili Pinfarina CEO Michael Perschke is excited about the way the Battista is invigorating a 90 year old brand:
“This is the most authentic and exciting automotive story imaginable. The Battista is the hypercar of the future, inspired by a legendary past. It combines true inspiration and innovation in its technical achievement and emotional appeal. Electrification unlocks the door to a new level of performance and a zero-emissions future, whilst a passion and respect for automotive history will define how this landmark car looks and feels. We aim for the Battista to be a future classic and automotive icon, writing its own page in automotive history books.”
Charting New Heights for the Future of Electromobility
The Battista is set to be a very limited release with only 150 set to be available when the car goes on sale next year. Priced around $2.2 million, the Battista is not meant to be a car of the people. Nonetheless, it is likely to become the prized possession of a select few discerning luxury automotive aficionados.
2020 is expected to be a very exciting year for the Italian design firm Pininfarina SpA. The company will celebrate it’s 90th birthday in a truly memorable way. Launched way back in 1928, the Pininfarina brand has been connected with some of Italy’s most beloved automobile manufacturers. Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia, and Ferrari have all turned to Pininfarina in the past to help design their cars.
Believe it or not, the forthcoming Battista is actually the first car set to go into production under the Pininfarina brand. The company first came to the public’s attention back in 1947 with the release of the Cisitalia 202. Since then, the company has had its hand in the production of over 100 Ferraris.
Released at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show in Switzerland, the Ferrari Sergio was named for Sergio Pininfarina who passed away on July 3rd of 2012. Limited to only 6 cars, the roughly $3 million Ferrari Sergio is frequently cited as one of the most expensive cars of all time.
Image and Article Source: Top Gear