Mahindra Group-owned electric luxury supercar maker announces new global headquarters, management team additions and major EV technology supply deal with Rimac.
28 Sep 2018 | 6784 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Automobili Pininfarina today made a series of major announcements from its new headquarters that will see it strengthen its management team, secure cutting-edge, world-beating electric powertrain technology, and put Formula 1 and Formula E experience in the PF0 hypercar driving seat.
Automobili Pininfarina was announced in Rome in April 2018 as ...
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Automobili Pininfarina today made a series of major announcements from its new headquarters that will see it strengthen its management team, secure cutting-edge, world-beating electric powertrain technology, and put Formula 1 and Formula E experience in the PF0 hypercar driving seat.
Automobili Pininfarina was announced in Rome in April 2018 as the world’s newest car brand, with an ambition to sustainably develop and produce fully-electric, ultra-luxury cars at the pinnacle of design and desirability.
The company will offer a range of cars designed and hand-crafted by legendary Italian automotive styling house Pininfarina SpA. The first, an ultra-exclusive, luxury electric hypercar codenamed PF0, will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019, with production beginning in 2020.
Building on the debut of the PF0 luxury electric hypercar concept to supercar owners, luxury car retailers and automotive connoisseurs in Monterey and Pebble Beach last month, the Automobili Pininfarina team has set in place the business foundations and partnerships that will lead to the delivery of the first PF0 in late 2020.
Munich has been confirmed as the company’s corporate and operational headquarters, providing access to expertise and engineering networks in arguably the world’s most successful and technologically advanced car market. Munich’s reputation as one of the world’s most exciting cities and its proximity to northern Italy, the home of Pininfarina SpA – which will design and build the PF0 under contract – was key to CEO Michael Perschke’s selection of the city as the company’s global headquarters.
Aiming for a benchmark in the new EV hypercar arena
At a press conference today, CEO Michael Perschke and special guest Dr. Pawan Goenka, Mahindra & Mahindra Managing Director, also introduced an impressive line-up of partners and collaborators – including a unique technical partnership with Rimac Automobili to provide battery and drivetrain expertise, software, and hardware, in a contract worth up to 50m euros.
As well as the partnership with Rimac, Automobili Pininfarina also announced Nick Heidfeld as their new development driver. With nearly 20 years of top-level motor racing experience to call upon, Nick will be responsible for honing the PF0 vehicle dynamics programme from the beginning of 2019, with a clear personal ambition: to help develop the most enjoyable electric performance car in the world.
Dr. Pawan Goenka said: "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. This will ensure Automobili Pininfarina delivers on its promise to develop a range of beautiful, technically advanced, zero emissions, luxury cars befitting the Pininfarina brand. PF0 is the first result of this teamwork and will be a benchmark in the new EV hypercar arena."
Perschke said: “Today marks a significant step for the launch of a range of Pininfarina-branded cars and for PF0, which will be the most powerful Italian-built sports car in history – and the first luxury hypercar to be conceived in Germany. We have developed a sophisticated brief to deliver a ground-breaking all-electric hyper GT car to clients from 2020, and now we are curating the partners and suppliers to deliver this dream. The results will be electrifying for owners of Automobili Pininfarina cars in the future!”
Technical partnership confirmed with Rimac
As electrification becomes both a genuine powertrain performance option and a necessary engineering solution for the modern world, Automobili Pininfarina has secured a unique technical partnership with Rimac to provide battery and drivetrain expertise, software and hardware.
Having started his company as an innovative and cutting-edge supplier of electric powertrain products less than 10 years ago, Mate Rimac and his team have made significant steps into the automotive establishment, supplying electric power to a number of global sports and supercar brands. The contract with Automobili Pininfarina marks a significant step for both parties, as Automobili Pininfarina secures an innovative, successful and highly proficient technical partner, whilst Rimac secures their first series production automotive supply contract.
Mate Rimac said: “We are very excited about this challenge. Combining Rimac values – technology, innovation and performance with the heritage, history and Italian design of Automobili Pininfarina makes a perfect synergy for an exciting new hypercar – the PF0. This partnership is a big milestone for both companies and we are looking forward to bringing this incredible machine to life together.”
Dr. Christian Jung and Dr. Peter Tutzer join Automobili Pininfarina
As Automobili Pininfarina begins the countdown to delivery of the world’s first luxury electric hypercar in 2020, its management team has been strengthened further with the appointment of Christian Jung as Chief Technology Officer. In addition, Peter Tutzer joins the business as PF0 Senior Technical Advisor.
Jung joins as Chief Technical Officer having risen through the ranks of BMW Group in Germany and the USA, and Porsche AG. Jung moves from California where he has been based for about one and a half years, most recently as Faraday Future’s Senior Director of Electrical Engineering and Platform Strategy. Before that he was Porsche’s Director for E-Mobility Systems Design and a leading part of the initial project lead team for the Mission E and additional electrification projects.
Holding a PhD in mechanical engineering, Peter Tutzer has more than 35 years’ experience in the automotive industry. Peter began his career at Porsche, where he was ultimately appointed as Chief Engineer for the company’s race car programme. Peter then joined Pagani where he was responsible for the chassis, vehicle layout and packaging of the Pagani Zonda before joining Bugatti where he played an integral role in the engineering and development of the Bugatti Veyron. Responsible for the complete car layout – packaging and integration of chassis and aerodynamics – he also managed the complete car test and development programme. Peter has also held the role of Technical Director at Lotus Cars and, most recently, held the position of Chief Technical Officer at Thunder Power EV.