MADE IN MONACO
We were the first to
offer a sports car with
an electric drive.
Exclusive interview with
Gildo Pallanca Pastor, the
power behind Venturi
HelloMonaco: From 1984 onwards, Venturi was under
threat of bankruptcy, or in bankruptcy as it had no clear
position in the market place. They had at least 4 official
bankruptcies. In 2001, you bought the company, and
gave it a complete rebranding. The company’s new
strategy and the modern image of Venturi was crafted.
Were you not afraid to take a risk of this magnitude?
Gildo Pallanca Pastor: I did not see any interesting
strategic directions in the Venturi business, especially
in the condition that it was in before the acquisition.
Venturi was offered to me at the age of 18 or 19 years
old. I always had friends working there. Whenever there
were difficulties, I was contacted and the repeated
answer I gave was «no thanks». The decision in favour
of the buyout was, eventually, motivated by my desire
to do something important in the electric domain.
It is obvious that I felt a little bit apprehensive with
the idea of plunging into the adventure, as at that
time my «playground» was related to real estate and
construction. But, I must say, we managed to make the
business work efficiently.
HM: How do you define the principal innovation in the
Venturi electric vehicle?
GPP: There have been many innovations. The principle
one was the engine of the Fétish model. It’s important to
say that at the beginning of the 2000s, the electric cars
were made with engines that certainly demonstrated
good performance, but were enormous. In contrast, the
Fétish engine was super compact. The carbon chassis
perfectly matched its shape as well as the batteries. It
took 3 years of work to be able to present Fétish at the
2004 Mondial de Paris. We were the first to offer a sports
car with an electric drive. It is our experience across the
entire Venturi range that has allowed us to create the
VBB-3, the world's fastest electric land vehicle.
HM: How do you see future generations of Venturi?
What are the main changes? Do you plan to implement
an autopilot, for example?
GPP: We are working on two innovations for 2018 and
2019. But for now, I would like to keep these a secret.
HM: Do you have an ambition to create an electric
concept-car for mass production?
GPP: No. Mass production is for big players. I am very
grateful to have had the opportunity to make my own
contribution for 17 years already to the development of
the electric vehicle market.
110 / Hello Monaco – Winter 2018
HM: Your ambitious goal is to reach a speed of 644 km/h, the speed of an aircraft.
If you look into the future, does it include «flying cars»?
GPP: I would like to keep the concept of flying cars for science fiction. We distinguish
car manufacturers and aircraft builders. These are 2 different businesses. Certainly,
there are companies that have created these hybrid vehicles but they are not «flying
cars» in the sense that we imagine.
HM: What is the main barrier between consumers and electric vehicle producers
today? Why do we still not see everybody «going green»?
GPP: Frankly speaking, the builders have gone «green» already, but it will surely take
some time to see it and for the public to go massively in this direction. There is not really
a barrier, only progressive adoption.
HM: Having the fastest electric-powered car in the world, you must have the bravest
and the most professional test-drivers as well?
GPP: Roger Schroer is great. It is going really well with him in the cockpit, despite the
difficulties he faces, for instance, with bad climatic conditions. The behaviour of VBB-3
can vary greatly depending on the weather. Roger tells us about his feelings behind
the wheel and we do our best to leverage that information. It is our unyielding goal to
achieve the highest level of performance possible.