Automobili Pininfarina's upcoming electric hypercar, Battista, will be based on a high-performance EV platform that it will jointly develop with Bosch and Austrian automotive supplier Benteler.

This platform will also underpin future models from the Italian design house turned carmaker's range, which are expected to include three SUVs set to arrive within five years.

Under the joint collaboration, Pininfarina will leverage engineering service provider Bosch's expertise in sub-systems like braking, steering, vehicle controller and driver assistance. Meanwhile, Benteler will bring on board its proven electro-mobility solutions and consequently, also aid Pininfarina in reducing development time.

In fact, earlier this year, Benteler showcased its new Electric Drive System 2.0 at the Shanghai Auto Show. Benteler says the EV platform is now ready for immediate implementation for its customers because it now includes tested and validated crash management and tuned axle systems for high driving comfort and handling.

Interestingly, the high-performance EV platform will also be offered to other car brands, in the same way that VW has offered its MEB platform for all-electric cars to other manufacturers. The move will help in lowering production costs by offering more scale.

"This collaboration marks the first initiative among three world-class partners to develop a platform specifically tailored to the luxury and performance electric vehicle plans of Automobili Pininfarina and potentially other carmakers looking to make progress in this sector," Michael Perschke, CEO, Automobili Pininfarina, stated.

Christian Jung, Chief Technical Officer, Automobili Pininfarina, added: “The beauty of electrification is that the combination of batteries, motors and chassis provides a relatively modular concept around which to develop a range of cars." 

The Battista electric hypercar is set to go into production in late 2020 in Italy. Pininfarina claims that Battista is the most powerful road-legal car ever produced in Italy, with a motor for each wheel that, collectively, deliver up to 1,900hp and 2,300Nm. Pininfarina claims a 0-100kph time of under 2.0sec, 0-300kph in less than 12sec and a top speed of around 350kph.