Mahindra-backed Automobili Pininfarina's PF0 hypercar to be powered by Rimac powertrain
Mahindra-backed Automobili Pininfarina recently made a slew of announcements pertaining to its PF0 electric hypercar. The PF0 electric hypercar concept was shown to prospective buyers at the Pebble Beach Concours last month and now the company has taken pointed steps towards its development.
The most notable of these is the partnership with another EV hypercar maker, Rimac. The Croatian firm will supply the EV powertrain and battery technology for the PF0. This means that the PF0 will closely follow the Rimac C_Two in spec. For perspective, the C-Two has a 120 kWh battery pack which powers four electric motors, one on each wheel, for a combined output of 1,940PS and 2,300 Nm. All of that can make the Rimac C_Two sprint to 100kmph in 1.97seconds and also reach a maximum speed of 412kmph. It also has a claimed driving range of 650 km.
Automobili Pinifarina also announced that it will base its corporate and operational headquarters in Munich, Germany. This will give the firm access to expertise and enginnering networks in one of the world's most advanced car market. The city is also in close proximity to northern Italy where Pininfarina Spa is based. The iconic design house will design and build the PF0 hypercar.
The fledging hypercar maker has also put together a strong team of professionals as it plans to get the PF0 to market by 2020. It has signed on the services of Christian Jung as Chief Technical Officer. His moves here from Porsche where he was the engineering lead for the Mission E project. Peter Tutzer has been brought on board as Senior Technical Advisor, whose career highlights include the development of the Pagani Zonda's chassis and packaging, and the packaging and integration of the Bugatti Veyron's chassis and aerodynamics.
Another top-level addition to the set up is that of Nick Heidfeld as the development driver. He has been the lead driver for the Mahindra Formula E team and also brings with him years of F1 racing experience.
Speaking of these developments, Pawan Goenka, said that the operating model for this business is exciting and absolutely relevant for the new mobility world in which we now live. It begins in Munich, bringing together the greatest minds and most innovative technology partners in the world, and investing in the right people and suppliers. He was delighted to welcome Rimac as an important technology partner, and together they will ensure Automobili Pininfarina delivers on its promise to develop a range of beautiful, technically advanced, zero emissions, luxury cars befitting the Pininfarina brand.
He also went on to say that Nick Heidfeld has proved a fantastic racing driver with Mahindra Racing and Goenka was delighted that he will now help them ensure PF0 is the benchmark in the new EV hypercar arena.