ELECTRIC SHOCKS

Automobili Pininfarina aims to be the world's most desirable and sustainable luxury electric carmaker

Written by Andre James / Photos courtesy Automobili Pininfarina

Deeply rooted in the Italian car design firm and coachbuilder Pininfarina SpA, founded in 1930 and acquired by Mahindra Group in 2015, Automobili Pininfarina is combining its in-house expertise with some of the world's leading automotive design and engineering suppliers to support aggressive performance targets and a future portfolio of pure-electric vehicles.

While the Pininfarina name has long been revered via its association with rock-star clientele, including Ferrari, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo, this past August, Automobili Pininfarina ushered in an exciting new chapter in its history at Monterey Car Week by introducing the world's first pure-electric, open-top hyper barchetta - the B95. In the motoring world, barchetta refers to an open-topped car without a removable or foldable top for weather protection.

Priced from €4.4m and limited to just ten examples handcrafted in Cambiano by a team of artisans, deliveries of the world's first pure-electric hyper barchetta will coincide with the 95th anniversary of legendary design house Pininfarina SpA in 2025. The simplicity of the B95's flowing open-topped bodywork contrasts with exquisite technical details to provide a dramatic interpretation of a classic racer underpinned by pure-electric performance.

The same state-of-the-art powertrain that delivers breath-taking performance in the Battista hyper GT powers the B95, but with a unique tune for such a bespoke vehicle. Accelerating from 0-60mph in less than 2 seconds, B95 has a top speed of more than 186 mph. The B95 features a high-capacity 120 kWh lithium-ion battery generating peak power of 1400 kW (1900 PS). The liquid-cooled, T-shaped battery pack is protected within a strong and lightweight carbon fiber housing and charges with DC fast chargers up to 270kW for a 20-80% top-up in as little as 25 minutes. Five driving modes are available to tailor driving dynamics, which activate via a tactile, sporty rotary selector next to the steering wheel.

At The Bridge VII, an annual invitation-only event held in the Hamptons this past September, the B95 was presented alongside the Battista Edizione Nino Farina, a tribute to the fearless spirit of the first-ever F1 World Champion, Nino Farina – nephew of company founder Battista 'Pinin' Farina.

The unique exterior design of the Battista Edizione Nino Farina is finished in bespoke Rosso Nino. This deep, rich red hue pays homage to the vehicles Nino Farina drove throughout his racing career and is complemented by a special livery on the lower body, finished in Bianco Sestriere and Iconica Blu.

Interior details specific to this Battista Edizione include a black anodized chassis plate with a bespoke 'Nino Farina' dedication and passenger door plates unique to each vehicle that celebrates a different milestone from Nino Farina's life.

The Battista's unique launch control technology contributes to Formula One car-beating acceleration, with 0-60mph achieved in 1.79 seconds. A car as fast as Battista demands strong stopping power, and official tests confirm that Battista is one of the fastest-braking EVs in the world.

"B95 delivers the power of Battista and yet creates a new dimension of driving experience, redefining the very joy of driving. It is the first of a new kind, an object of desire that introduces the thrill of exceptional, electrified performance in stunning open-top form," said Paolo Dellachà, Chief Executive Officer, of Automobili Pininfarina.