The Gentleman Magazine Issue 18 | December 2019 | Page 31

HYPERDRIVE: THE FORMULA E DRIVING EXPERIENCE FOR
BATTISTA CLIENTS AHEAD OF HYPERCAR LAUNCH IN 2020
Automobili Pininfarina has launched an initiative to give its
Battista EV hypercar clients the unique opportunity to drive a
Formula E race car and taste extreme EV performance under
the guidance of legendary racer Nick Heidfeld. Spain’s Circuit
de Calafat will see Battista clients partake in the Hyperdrive
event where they will take to the wheel of a range of track-
prepared EVs, moving up in performance until their experience
peaks at the controls of the Battista’s ‘cousin’, a Mahindra Racing
Formula E race car.
Jochen Rudat, Automobili Pininfarina Chief Sales Officer,
said: “We are on a mission to make the world ‘love electric’ by
combining beautiful design and unprecedented performance
in a range of luxury cars starting with Battista. We are breaking
with convention and giving our clients the unique experience
of driving track-prepared EVs and a Mahindra Racing Formula
E car on Spain’s Circuit de Calafat.
“The Automobili Pininfarina Hyperdrive experience introduces
a new dimension of performance to hypercar collectors and
recognises the need to create new and different test drive
experiences that allow guests to explore the technology of the
future.”
The total sum of horsepower offered across all cars driven
on the day will still not match the Battista’s planned 1,900
horsepower output. Therefore, clients will spend valuable time
with the Battista development team discussing how to master
all the motorsport-inspired technologies that will define their
future driving experience, with production of Italy’s most
powerful car in history beginning in 2020.
The Battista’s development is moving into its crucial road- and
track-based programme just eight months after its reveal and
with less than 12 months until production begins in Italy. The
pure-electric hypercar is limited to a production run of no more
than 150 bespoke examples, each hand built at Pininfarina’s
headquarters in Cambiano near Turin. Combining visionary
Italian design with cutting-edge technology – the hallmark
of any classic Pininfarina car – the Battista will deliver a
combination of up to 500 km range and a 0-62 mph time of
under two seconds, all completely emissions-free.
Battista clients join the team on track
Automobili Pininfarina’s in-house experts are accelerating the
Battista along its dynamic development journey. Channelling
more than five years of Formula E experience into the Battista
is the most comprehensive evidence of technology transfer
from motorsport into high-performance road car development
yet seen. It will inform many aspects of the car, from its carbon
chassis design, through software and cooling development,
to steering, throttle response and all-wheel torque vectoring,
ensuring that all four driven wheels support the driver’s
ambition and ability.
Led by Automobili Pininfarina’s Development Driver Nick
Heidfeld and its Director of Sportscars Rene Wollmann, the
expert team of development engineers will watch over every
turn of the nine right-hand and seven left-hand corners. The
Calafat drive experience will not just inform clients of the
potential power, performance, soul and spirit of the Battista,
but also inform Nick, Rene and the Battista’s development
team of how clients adapt to extreme electric performance for
the first time.
Nick will be on hand to discuss with every driver their own
personal taste of Formula E and their expectations for the
Battista. Rene will offer customers a unique front row seat to
processes involved in developing the world’s first pure-electric
luxury hypercar and help them understand how Automobili
Pininfarina will succeed in marrying cutting-edge race
technology with the highest standards in luxury and design.
Nick Heidfeld, Automobili Pininfarina Development Driver,
said: “By embracing Formula E technologies proven on the
racetrack and combining them in a package that will also
deliver superb levels of comfort, luxury and connectivity, we
aim to provide clients with a hypercar that offers both jaw-
dropping performance and day-to-day driveability.
“This amazing Hyperdrive experience is just one step in the
Battista customers’ intimate journey with us, and a major step
towards making car enthusiasts fall in love with electric power.”
Potential customers are invited to apply to own a Battista now
using an online service within the company’s website: www.
automobili-pininfarina.com/viewing
Asphalt 9 mobile racing game gives fans the opportunity for
virtual Battista driving experience
For hypercar fans who can’t wait until 2020, the Battista is
also available to drive today, on track and on road, in VR. As
gaming platforms line up to feature the world’s first luxury EV
hypercar, ‘Asphalt 9: Legends’ from Gameloft becomes the first
platform to put drivers at the wheel of the Battista.
‘Asphalt 9: Legends’ is available for download now:
https://apps.apple.com
https://play.google.com/store/apps
The Gentleman Magazine | 31