Pininfarina
Nido EV: new all-electric prototype by Pininfarina
What we have here is Pininfarina’s latest all-electric prototype vehicle. Ferrari’s must-have designer calls it the Nido EV which is an evolution of the first Nido concept car that was revealed back in 2004.
The 2-seater prototype that measures 2,905mm in length features a tubular steel frame design however the design house said that the ‘final’ version will use a lighter aluminum space frame which can spawn up to four different models in the future including 2+2 and van models.
However the company did not confirm if the Nido in particular will go into production or not but it did mention that “new types of hybrid and electric cars will be developed” based on this project.
The 900-kilogram Nido EV prototype has a 30kW electric motor which is mounted at the rear. Over a full charge it can deliver 140 kilometers of driving range. Energy is stored in a Zebra Z5 Ni-NaCl battery pack and a full charge would take about eight hours.
The Nido EV which has 125Nm of torque would take 6.7 seconds to hit the 100 km/h mark while top speed is electronically limited at 120 km/h – Not bad for a small, all-electric run-about vehicle.
More images can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Pininfarina’s Alfa Romeo 2uettonttanta Concept breaks cover
Pininfarina has unveiled the Alfa Romeo Spider Concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Called the 2uettonttanta the concept is a revival of the classic Alfa Romeo Duetto of the 60′s. It is strictly a 2-seater and measures 4213mm long, 1797mm wide and 1280mm high.
The design company proposes a 1750cc force-inducted engine to power the 2uettonttanta. Yes the term 1750 refers to the company’s 1750 Veloce of the 60′s. However it did not mention what kind of power figures it should have. The concept looks really sexy and its one concept that should go into production but am I the only one who thinks that it looks like a cabriolet version of Toyota’s FT-86 Concept? As always, more images can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Alfa Romeo Spider Concept: 2nd teaser image released
Pininfarina has released another teaser sketch of the Alfa Romeo Spider Concept that will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show happening this week. The sketch shows us a two-seat concept with pretty sharp design lines and oversized wheels.
Both Pininfarina and Alfa Romeo are being tight-lipped about the concept so we will have to wait for the official reveal. However there is word that this new concept may spawn the revival of the Alfa Romeo Duetto. Continue reading to check out the concept’s first teaser sketch. Read the rest of this entry.
Pininfarina reveals teaser sketch of the Alfa Romeo Spider concept
Design house Pininfarina has released a teaser sketch of the Alfa Romeo Spider concept that will be presented at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show on March 2nd. Unfortunately nothing further was revealed in the press release other than the fact Pininfarina is celebrating its 80th anniversary while Alfa Romeo is enjoying its 100th. More will be revealed in March, stay tuned!
Pininfarina all-electric Bluecar set to arrive in 2011
Italian-based Pininfarina has revealed that its very own all-electric Bluecar is scheduled to arrive sometime in 2011. The 4-seater compact MPV is powered by Lithium Polymer batteries that delivers up to 250 kilometers in terms of driving range, which is also made possible with the help of a supercapacity energy storage system.
The company claims that it would take just a few hours to recharge the batteries and roof-mounted solar panels will also chip in. Unlike most other EV makers, Pininfarina confirmed that the battery pack can last up to 200,000 kilometers. The Bluecar will be manufactured as part of a joint venture with Vincent Bollore, a French industrialist, where Ballore is expected to focus on producing the batteries. The production version of the Bluecar was unveiled in Geneva this year. Continue reading to view more images.
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Tata interested to purchase a 50.7% stake in Pininfarina?
Previously, we told you that Ferrari’s must have designer Pininfarina will no longer participate in any form of contract assembly business and that up to 50% of the company will be given to the banks. The most recent news from Italy, is that it intends to sell 50.7% of its stake.
And guess who is rumored to purchase that huge share of the company? Tata! The Indian auto maker, which already owns Jaguar and Land Rover, and has recently signed a partnership with Fiat, is apparently interested in the deal. Pininfarina will still continue with its B 0 electric car project. Lets see where this leads us.
No more contract assembly busineses for top designer Pininfarina.
Top automobile designer Pininfarina has revealed that it will no longer participate in any form of contract assembly business, such as the ones it is currently part of; Ford Focus coupe-cabriolet and Alfa Romeo’s Brera, both of which will expire in late 2011.
This year, the Pininfarina family will no longer have controlling stakes of the Italian company as the banks will take over about 50% of their shares, in exchange for a 180 million Euros write off. After the exchange, the Pininfarina family will only have a 4.5% share holding. This comes after the death of CEO Andrea Pininfarina sometime last year.
However, the decision made regarding contract assembly businesses will not affect Pininfarina’s own ventures, such as the 2010 pilot-production of Pininfarina’s B 0 electric-mobile (as seen above).
