AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA DEBUT ENHANCED BATTISTA AT SALON PRIVÉ

AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA DEBUT ENHANCED BATTISTA AT SALON PRIVÉ

Pininfarina Battista

Advanced EV and hybrid technology are certainly at the forefront of this year’s Salon Privé with a selection of international hypercar brands all debuting new cars to the UK market.

One such brand and currently returning from a fabulous series of unveilings during Monterey Car Week is Automobili Pininfarina, who are now preparing to launch their stunning and enhanced Battista at this year’s Salon Privé which takes place at Blenheim Palace from 5th – 8th September.

Having been launched to an eagerly-awaiting world at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year and delivering on the Pininfarina family dream to see a range of luxury cars purely badged Pininfarina, Automobili Pininfarina then embarked on the next phase of simulation testing in the wind tunnel and on the track under the guidance of ex-Formula 1 and Formula E racer, Nick Heidfeld, their Development Driver. From a design perspective, the result of the development programme was a car with a redefined front which reinforced its hypercar look and feels and created a greater visual connection between front and back.

With 1,900 hp and 1,696 lb-ft torque available from its four electric motors, Automobili Pininfarina is aiming for a 0-62 mph sprint of fewer than 2 seconds for the Battista along with a single-charge range of 500 kilometres. Essentially, it’s a hypercar on one hand and an eminently driveable and beautiful luxury car on the other. With a maximum of just 150 examples being made, it will be ultra-exclusive. Just 50 Battistas are planned for Europe, 50 targeted at North America and 50 to the Middle East and Asia and the €2m hypercar will only be available to order through a small network of specialist luxury car and hypercar retailers.

Commenting on the forthcoming debut appearance of the new Battista, Salon Privé Co-Founder & Sales Director, David Bagley, said“I wholly concur with Pininfarina S.p.A Chairman, Paolo Pininfarina when he referred to the Battista as a work of art. It is just that - stunningly beautiful and elegant from every angle and yet its poise is true hypercar – low, wide and purposeful. With power and luxury to match, it is as they say a new reality for electric car desirability, and we are thrilled to be welcoming Automobili Pininfarina and Battista to this year’s Salon Privé.”

Michael Perschke, CEO Automobili Pininfarina said "Salon Privé is the perfect event at which to present the Battista in its most recent design form. The event is renowned for attracting true enthusiasts and car collectors who appreciate both automotive engineering and automotive beauty, and the Battista stands alone in presenting the perfect combination of both. With 89 years of Pininfarina heritage informing its design and a clear vision for the performance and drama that pure electrification can offer, Automobili Pininfarina looks forward to revealing the latest Battista for the first time in the UK”.

PAGANI AUTOMOBILI TO CONTINUE 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF ICONIC ZONDA WITH 5 MODEL DISPLAY AT SALON PRIVÉ

PAGANI AUTOMOBILI TO CONTINUE 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF ICONIC ZONDA WITH 5 MODEL DISPLAY AT SALON PRIVÉ

Pagani Zonda

First launched 20 years to great acclaim at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, Pagani Automobili S.p.A. was a new name on the exotica scene with an amazing debut model; the breath-taking Zonda hypercar. The Zonda was originally to be called ‘Fangio F1’ after Formula One Champion, Juan Manuel Fangio, who assisted with the car’s early development, however, following his death in 1995, it was renamed Zonda, the name given to the hot air current that runs above Argentina.

From the very first 1999 Zonda C12 to the final incarnation of the Zonda – the £15million Barchetta – less than 150 examples of the model have been built over the last 20 years, split over a dozen or more different derivatives. All have been powered by a mid-mounted V12 engine, handmade by AMG and ranging in size from 6-litres to 7.3-litres, with power ranging from 444 bhp to a thumping 789 bhp enabling that particular model to achieve a top speed of 221 mph (355 km/h) maximum speed. A number of Zondas have now gone through bespoke upgrades to the bodywork and power trains by the Modena-based Pagani works creating a new generation of Zonda.

On display at this year’s Salon Privé will be the following models:

• Zonda C12 (2000): The car that launched the company and Horacio Pagani’s first production supercar. It was an absolute game-changer with its distinctive styling and hand-built Mercedes-AMG 6 Litre V12 engine which then produced 444 bhp, enough to propel the C12 to 60 mph in 4 seconds – quite an achievement back in 1999. The model on display has been through the full Rinascimento

• Zonda F Roadster (2005): The Zonda F (F for Fangio) on display is one of just 25 Roadster examples built. The Zonda F was a substantially re-engineered Zonda, using the hand-crafted 7.3-litre Mercedes-AMG V12, developing 641 bhp. Announced at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show in coupe form (the F Roadster following in 2006), the Zonda F was equipped with extra headlights and different fog lights at the sides, plus new bodywork (revised front end, new rear spoiler and more aerodynamic vents all around) that improved the car's aerodynamics, as well as different side mirrors. Further enhancements centred on optional carbon/ceramic brakes (measuring 380 mm) and a redesigned "Z preg" weave in the all-carbon fibre crash structure to improve rigidity and reduce weight.

• Zonda Cinque Roadster (2009): As its name suggests, Pagani built just five examples of the Zonda Cinque Roadster which was a 669 bhp road-legal version of the track-only Zonda R. The Zonda Cinque was developed at the request of the Pagani dealer in Hong Kong, with the model intended to be the last iteration of the Zonda. The differences over other Zonda variants were a new three-mode six-speed sequential gearbox, resulting in shifts taking less than 100 milliseconds, dropping the 0–100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time down to just 3.4 seconds. The Cinque also had a revised form of carbon fibre called "carbo-titanium" which incorporated titanium in the weave to increase strength and rigidity, mated to magnesium and titanium suspension components. It also featured revised bodywork, included a longer front splitter, new side skirts, rear diffuser, bumper canards and a flatter underside, as well as a roof-mounted air intake scoop, enabled the Cinque to generate 750 kg (1,653 lb) of down-force at 355 km/h (221 mph) and 1.45 G of cornering force.

• Zonda Tricolore (2010): Just three Tricolore models were built making it one of the rarest of them all. Originally conceived as a one-off, Horacio Pagani decided to make three as a tribute to the Frecce Tricolour, Italy's aerobatic team answer to the British Red Arrows. The Tricolore carried much of the body from the Zonda Cinque, the model being unpainted, except for a clear blue lacquer, and red, white, and green stripes from the nose along the top of the car's surface. Unique to this car was a small wing placed behind the cockpit which reflected the tail wing of Frecce Tricolori's Aermacchi MB-339 stunt aircraft. The three Tricolores were priced at £1.2 million when new, but are now worth considerably more, as are all Pagani Zondas.

• Zonda 760 Oliver Edition (2016): An exclusive one-off edition of the Pagani Zonda, the unique 760 ‘Oliver’ model was built in 2016 for one of Pagani’s biggest collectors and was based on the 760 RS model. Unlike other special edition Zondas, this 760 has a uniquely designed rear spoiler and was engineered by one of the world GT champions to generate the maximum downforce to give the ultimate grip on the circuit. The car was tested by the Toyota factory driver and GT500 champion Akira Iida on Fuji Speedway during the Pagani Raduno in Japan, with Mr Iida commenting that the Zonda Oliver Evolution was the best handling and closest to the Zonda Evolution R road car he had ever driven.

Commenting on the incredible display, Salon Privé Co-Founder & Sales Director David Bagley said “Salon Privé and Pagani Automobili go back a long way. We have welcomed Horacio and his team as well as many owners from the UK and abroad to countless editions of the event – I don’t think I can recall an edition where there wasn’t at least one Pagani on display. In just 20 years, Horacio has created not only an icon but also a benchmark in design, engineering and strategic partnerships and it’s a testimony to Pagani Automobili that many Zonda owners choose not to sell their beloved cars, but instead send them back to the factory to either restore their cars to their original glory through the Rinascimento program or have a unique bespoke upgrade through their dedicated team. Years ago, I recall a conversation with Horacio’s then-assistant, who referred to the Zonda as a piece of art and she wasn’t wrong. To this day, the design and detail found in a Pagani is beyond exceptional.”

Commenting on behalf of Pagani UK, Christine Clarkin said, “2019 is a momentous year for Pagani as it marks the 20th anniversary of when Horacio Pagani’s dream came alive with the unveiling of the iconic Zonda in Geneva.  As the Dealer Principal for Pagani UK I am delighted to bring five spectacular examples of Zonda to the lawns of Salon Privé and to continue our year-long celebrations of this achievement at Blenheim Palace.  Pagani UK are proud to be the only official dealer for Pagani Automobili since 2014 and have the loyalty of our Pagani owners to support this fabulous event year after year.”

RIMAC AUTOMOBILI TO DEBUT THRILLING  Rimac C_Two HYPERCAR at SALON PRIVÉ Fastest accelerating, most technologically-advanced hypercar ever built 0 to 60mph in 1.85 seconds 0 to 186mph in 11.8 seconds Top speed of 258 mph 4 electric motors and a 120 kWh battery generating 1,887 bhp and 2,300 Nm of torque Limited to 150 units First deliveries 2020 The Directors of Salon Privé are delighted to announce another spectacular launch at this year’s event with the return of Rimac Automobili who will present their sensational Rimac C_Two. In less than 10 years, Rimac Automobili, based in Croatia, has become a technological powerhouse not only creating its own spectacular hypercars but also developing full technology solutions for global automotive manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Automobili Pininfarina, Koenigsegg, Porsche and many more. Porsche AG and Hyundai Motor Group have also become minority shareholders in the last two years. The all-new Rimac C_Two is a testament to the company’s technological advancements. Engineered as a pure electric GT and using the expert knowledge gleaned from the brilliantly powerful Concept_One, first shown at Salon Privé back in 2012, the Rimac C_Two combines the very best materials and bespoke technology to create the most technologically-advanced as well as fastest accelerating hypercar ever built. David Bagley, Co-Founder & Sales Director commented, “What Mate and his team have achieved in such a relatively short period of time is simply extraordinary. Not content with designing, engineering and building their own amazing hypercars, they have become technological partners and OEM suppliers to some of the world's oldest and most prestigious automotive brands which is an incredible achievement in itself. Having first met Mate at Villa d'Este when the company and Concept_One were newly-launched, on a personal level, it's thrilling to see the company where it is now, leading the world in EV technology systems.“ Designed and produced in-house, it is made entirely from scratch with all-new, groundbreaking technologies such as a full carbon fibre monocoque with bonded carbon roof, integrated battery pack and powertrain. An innovative battery pack in technology and layout delivers 120 kWh energy and 1.4MW of power with exceptional thermal management. With a top speed of 258 mph (412 km/h), a zero to 60mph time of 1.85 seconds and a zero to 100 mph (161 km/h) time of 4.3, the Rimac C_Two makes devastating use of the instant-torque available to an electric vehicle and the traction made possible by the unique drivetrain and bespoke tyres. More than that, the Rimac C_Two maintains its sensational acceleration throughout the full-throttle cycle, achieving 186 mph (300 km/h) from rest in just 11.8 seconds. Next-generation R-AWTV (Rimac All-Wheel Torque Vectoring) controls four electric motors, one per each wheel and is available (and necessary!)  to harness 1,887 bhp (1,408 kW) of power and 2,300 Nm of torque - two and a half times the torque output of a contemporary hypercar. With prototypes now in production, the Rimac C_Two will soon take its final shape and the first customers cars will be delivered in 2020. Rimac Automobili Founder & CEO, Mate Rimac said, “We are very excited to be back at Salon Privé, celebrating the automotive history and bringing a taste of the future. 2012, when Rimac Concept_One - the world's first all-electric supercar made its debut at Salon Privé, seems light-years away. This time around, we will join with our new generation, the Rimac C_Two - the fastest accelerating, most exciting, and most technologically-advanced hypercar ever-built. We are looking forward to sharing the event with H.R. Owen, our Official Partner in the UK.“

AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA PARTNERS BRITISH LIBRARY ‘A MIND IN MOTION’ EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO LEONARDO DA VINCI

AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA PARTNERS BRITISH LIBRARY ‘A MIND IN MOTION’ EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO LEONARDO DA VINCI

INSPIRED BY INNOVATION: AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA PARTNERS BRITISH LIBRARY ‘A MIND IN MOTION’  EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO THE GENIUS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI

• Italian sports and luxury car creator Automobili Pininfarina to support British Library’s landmark ‘Leonardo da Vinci: A Mind in Motion’ exhibition from 7thJune – 8th September
• A unique version of innovative pure-electric Battista hypercar to be presented in grounds of British Library from 7th – 9th June
• Paolo Pininfarina presents the spirit of innovation that made Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina one of the most celebrated automotive designers in history: https://youtu.be/6k3R91nj7yQ
• Battista images available here

(London, 29th May 2019): Marking the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci, the British Library’s ‘A Mind in Motion’ exhibition brings together highlights from three of his remarkable Codex notebooks for the first time ever in the UK. The exhibition celebrates and reveals the inner workings of Leonardo’s complex mind and his fascination with motion – which he considered to be “the cause of all life”.

As the presenting partner for this incredible celebration of engineering and design innovation, Automobili Pininfarina is to exhibit the 1,900 hp, zero-emissions Battista hypercar, on general public display in the UK for the first time. The beautiful Battista in a unique exterior finish will feature in a bespoke enclosure in the British Library’s main courtyard from 7th – 9th June. Limited spaces are still available at the media preview at The British Library between 09:00 and 12:00 on Thursday 6th June. Please contact fiona.naylor@imprimatur.co.uk if you would like to attend.

The Italian-designed hypercar is set to redefine automotive motion, becoming the most powerful car ever produced in Italy, at the home of Pininfarina in Cambiano, near Turin. From late 2020 the famous Italian Carrozzeria will hand-build no more than 150 editions of the Battista that has been designed by Automobili Pininfarina’s Luca Borgogno.

The inspiration that connects 500 years of Italian design mastery

Leonardo’s Codex reveals the concepts and innovations in design that formed the inspiration behind his ideas and the engineering solutions to much of his design work. Core to his inventions were the seamless integration of form and function, and the blurring of lines between art, design and engineering: principles for which Pininfarina S.p.A. has become renowned in its almost 90-year history.

Pininfarina S.p.A. has been commissioned by the world’s newest luxury car brand, Automobili Pininfarina, to design and hand-build the Battista to a challenging design brief from Design Director Luca Borgogno. His challenge is for the Battista to be aesthetically beautiful, unprecedented in its performance and pure in its output, with classic supercar proportions, acceleration faster than a Formula 1 car, and a 300-mile electric range on a single charge.

Luca Borgogno said: “We are proud to be a part of the ‘A Mind in Motion’ exhibition because we are proud of what Italian design has brought to the world. Leonardo was a true Italian genius, the first person to combine the disciplines of art, design and engineering – and from Leonardo in the 16th Century to Pininfarina in 2019, these principles remain strong.

“Italy is defined by design classics, whether that is Leonardo’s work, Palladio’s Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Pininfarina’s Cisitalia 202 or Mattè-Trucco’s car factory in Lingotto. The common theme between them is that they presented modern, elegant, innovative functions and design in perfect harmony for the first time. The Battista design brief is a breath-taking expression of this tradition.”

It is anticipated that only 50 of the 150 Battistas will be available for the European market and this extraordinary electric luxury hypercar is now available to order from H.R. Owen and Rybrook, two of the UK’s leading luxury car retailers. Potential customers are invited to apply to own a Battista now using an online service within the company’s website: Apply Now.