2023 Pininfarina Battista

Any car that you mention in the same breath as the Rimac Nevera and Lotus Evija is bound to be a special one, but being in exclusive company isn't enough for the Pininfarina Battista. This pure-electric hyper-GT is not just the most powerful road-legal Italian car ever built - it's also broken records for speed and performance. With four electric motors working together to produce as much as 1,877 horsepower and 1,726 lb-ft of torque, the new Pininfarina Battista coupe will complete the benchmark sprint in a fraction under 1.8 seconds. It faces off against the Croatian beast from Rimac for being the quickest production car, which is ironic since the two electric hypercars share quite a few bits and pieces. So, in an ideal world where you could pick and choose your cars without a care for money or how many are being made, which color would you choose for your Battista?

Deliveries of the Pininfarina continue into 2023 and no changes are announced.

It may have debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019, but the first deliveries to customers in the USA only took place at the end of 2022. Lucky customers get a 1,877 hp/1,726 lb-ft all-electric hypercar with a top speed of 217 mph, and a 0-62 mph sprint in 1.86 seconds. An Anniversario edition, limited to just five models, is also in the planning to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Pininfarina.

It's a joy to have a lot to unpack when it comes to a car like the Battista; there's no reason to avoid talking about its looks, because it doesn't sacrifice its appearance in the name of performance. The design team behind the Battista has encapsulated the essence of the Italian sports cars while still allowing it to be aerodynamic, with the obvious curves harking back to the celebrated Italian designs from the 60s - something Pininfarina knows a lot about, considering it was at the forefront of car design during this era.

There's more to the 2023 Battista than just a sleek profile, eye-catching dihedral doors, and a prominent rear wing, but all the little details are uniquely picked out by buyers in collaboration with the design team at the company's Cambiano-based Atelier. The base car has a classic tear-drop shape when viewed from above, with a subtle accent line that runs around the car.

Viewed from the front, the Battista's nose is adorned with LED lighting with an unmistakable visual signature, while the hood has a deep and broad intake. We're huge fans of the uniquely styled exterior mirrors. There's a protruding lower lip with aggressive intakes between it and the bumper that speak to aero needs, and this entire nose section can be modified and uniquely painted for contrast. There is an available Exterior Jewellery Pack that equips aluminum elements in bespoke paintwork or anodization.

At the back, the active wing can be personalized in a unique color, too, and even the rear detailing screws can be modified to help your Battista stand out from the crowd. The active rear wing isn't just for looks, however, and it provides up to 551 lbs of downforce and operates as an aerobrake to slow down the hypercar from ludicrous speeds; it also stabilizes the car whilst coming to a stop.

As standard, the Pininfarina Battista sports 20-inch forged aluminum Prezioso wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, but you can opt for staggered 20/21-inch forged aluminum Impulso wheels and Pilot Sport 4S rubber.

Dimensions for the sleek Pininfarina Battista include a wheelbase of 108.1 inches, a total length of 193.4, and a width of 88.2 inches, including the mirrors. It stands just 47.8 inches in height. All of these metrics, other than the overall length, are in line with rivals like the Rimac Nevera - the Nevera is only 187 inches from nose to tail.

Curb weight for the Pininfarina Battista with its carbon fiber chassis is estimated to be around 4,800 lbs, although some reports suggest it's closer to 5,000 lbs.

When it comes to exterior colors, the 2023 Pininfarina Battista has a few standard options listed on the configurator. Choices range from exposed carbon with Iconica Blu thread to paint in Iconica Blu, Argento Liquido, Grigio Exilles Satin, Arancio Ivrea Satin, or Nero Profondo. You can also have exposed carbon in grey. Considering what we know about the automaker's plan for this car, however, it's unlikely that there is any limit on what you can wrap your Battista in. And, considering buyers will meet with designers to personally customize their car, you could probably order the Battista in anything your heart desires.

For the two special edition models, the color options are a little different. The Edizione Nino Farina is finished in Rosso Nino with Bianco Sestriere and Iconica Blu highlights, while the number 01 is displayed proudly along the side. Anniversario models are available in only white, blue, or grey (Bianco Setriere, Grigio Antonelliano, and Iconica Blu) and have carbon fiber exterior bits that are tinted blue with white pinstripes

The party piece of any hypercar is its powertrain, and in this case, the all-electric heart of the Pininfarina Battista doesn't disappoint. The setup comprises four electric motors that send power to each individual wheel, as well as a 120-kWh battery from Rimac. Performance specs to the tune of 1,877 hp and 1,726 lb-ft mean the Pininfarina Battista can sprint from 0-60 mph in just 1.79 seconds (0-62 mph in 1.86 seconds). While those may just be numbers on paper to some, think about the implications of speed like that just for a moment: in the space of four heartbeats, the Pininfarina is well on its way to 120 mph, and it will race on to a top speed of 217 mph.

Those specs are courtesy of the Furiosa drive mode, which unleashes the full might of the powertrain. The four other modes vary outputs accordingly, with Calma restricting outputs to 'just' 670 hp and 863 b-ft and using only two of the four motos (the front ones, for enthusiasts who'd like to think of a front-wheel-drive hypercar). It's also this mode that sees the Battista achieve peak efficiency. Pura mode ups the specs to 1,000 hp and 1,018 lb-ft, while Energica adds torque vectoring and opens up 1,475 hp and 1,357 lb-ft. The last option is Carattere (Character), which allows you to customize to your preferred settings.

Those who have been lucky enough to experience the AWD Battista from behind the wheel highlight more than just the obvious and kidney-crushing acceleration - there's also direct and well-weighted steering, utterly composed handling, and a taut, responsive suspension setup that makes this a hypercar that doesn't feel like an untamed animal. And when you need to bring it to a stop to catch your breath, there are 15.4-inch Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes on duty.

An advanced powertrain shared with the Rimac Nevera is responsible for the ridiculous outputs at play in the Battista. This includes four independent, high-performance electric motors - one for each wheel - and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery mounted in a carbon fiber housing. The T-shaped battery pack is liquid-cooled and mounted centrally behind the seats, for a low center of gravity.

At its most ferocious, this setup produces 1,877 hp (1,400 kW) and 1,726 lb-ft (2,340 Nm), although the various drive modes tone down how much you want to unleash and which wheels are driven. Drivers can customize power delivery and handling responses via a torque vectoring system and a software differential with electronic stability control.

With its unique launch control technology, the Pininfarina Battista will manage a sub-1.8-second benchmark sprint (and 0-120 mph in 4.49 seconds). Cars with this kind of power usually come with a great soundtrack, thanks to internal combustion, which is one of the drawbacks of electric power. But the Battista gets a bespoke sound which changes depending on which drive mode you've selected. Called the Suono Puro soundscape, the automaker claims it heightens your emotional connection to the car, and since independent testers have mentioned that the sound of small pebbles and stones being hurled into the wheel arches by the sticky tires can be quite disconcerting, we reckon the audio will be welcome.

There aren't any fuel bills here, happily, because this kind of power would drain a gas tank in a matter of minutes. Instead, the electric hypercar from Automobili Pininfarina can go up 300 miles on a charge - provided you stay in its tamest setting, Calma mode. Up the outputs, and you'll cut this figure down substantially.

Charging rates are rapid, with the Pininfarina Battista's battery able to be replenished from 20-80% in under 25 minutes on a DC fast charger. AC charging is also available, but we don't have figures for how long that will take. All new owners get complimentary public charging via ChargePoint for five years from the date of purchase.

The interior of the Pininfarina Battista is, like the rest of the car, unique. It manages to pull off being opulent and classy while keeping things simple. The dashboard is slim and minimalist in design, with only the necessary controls and dials mounted within reach. The center console separates driver and passenger into what feels like individual cockpit pods, and even though this is a car focused on performance, designers haven't skimped on luxury - the seats are meticulously crafted and wrapped in sustainably sourced, hand-crafted materials.

Automakers love saying that the interior is 'driver-focused,' and in this case, the cliche rings true. The unique driver information cluster layout comprises a trio of screens, with the smaller phone-like central screen being the most important. Vehicle dynamics are displayed on the left-hand screen, while infotainment is handled on the right. A flat-bottom steering wheel is standard.

With interior space for just two, the Battista experience isn't for families. Buyers will get to pick from two types of seats, with the GT seat prioritizing comfort for daily driving. For those who are buying the Battista to push the limits, the Pilota seat will be more to their liking: not only are these sculpted seats designed to reduce weight and provide extra support for the driver during spirited stints behind the wheel, but they look the part, too.

Despite offering seating for only two, it's not cramped or overly snug inside the Battista. Occupants sit low - standard procedure for cars like this - but there's ample room for longer legs or taller folk. Getting in and out isn't a chore, either, with the dihedral doors that lift away a section of the roof at the same time to prevent bumping your head.

Classic Italian design is evidenced inside the Battista, with quilted leather, brushed aluminum, and carbon fiber on every surface. The GT seats are upholstered in sustainably sourced leather, which you can have in five color schemes, although we presume you need to be one of the privileged few ordering one to know what those hues are. Performance Alcantara is an option, too. Automobili Pininfarina is clear that 'Bespoke' options are available to buyers, with "128 million interior configurations" to select. There is also an Interior Jewellery Pack that adds special interior aluminum finishes with the Battista name emblazoned on it in various color options.

Trunk and cargo space in the Pininfarina Battista won't be top of mind for those buying one, and it's not really impressive enough to write home about. Still, there is 1.7 cubic feet available underneath the glass rear screen - just enough for custom luggage and not much else.

There aren't loads of small-item nooks and crannies, either, so you'll have to hold your own refreshments as you cruise around.

When it comes to the feature specification in the Pininfarina Battista, there's enough standard for the segment this car slots into. The '360-degree digital experience' is the hub, with the three screens ahead of the driver making up a digital cockpit as well as providing controls for most of the features. This includes the power seat adjustment, climate controls, and navigation, which display on the right-hand screen. The Battista is also constantly connected to the internet by virtue of an internal eSIM for high-speed navigation worldwide. The Battista has an advanced telemetry system on board, a digital rearview mirror, and advanced backup cameras since the view out back is restricted. There is a standard hydraulic lifting system that raises the vehicle by 1.95 inches in the front and 1.75 inches at the rear to get over higher bumps or curbs. Not much is known about other standard features.

The automaker says that the infotainment system in the Battista is an advanced online setup that comes with live music streaming and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connection. The tri-screen setup on the dashboard ahead of the driver has the right-hand screen allocated for multimedia and navigation. This can be quite awkward for the passenger to operate, however.

As standard in the Battista, a 1300 W bespoke sound system from Naim channels audio through ten speakers and a dual-voice coil subwoofer, which is positioned between the seats.

There are no reliability records for the Pininfarina Battista, but there are also no recalls or listed complaints for the car. We expect that low-volume, elite cars like this will hold up well, however, considering they are hand-built and the automaker is unlikely to risk its reputation. Any problems will probably be dealt with immediately.

The warranty for the Pininfarina Battista is good, though, with cover for ten years on the battery. A five- or ten-year maintenance program is available, and buyers will be given the option to have a spare body-parts kit painted in the same hues as their Battista at the time of purchase.

With just 150 cars to be made, there's no way Automobili Pininfarina is likely to offer one of them for crash testing. This means there's no official safety review for the Pininfarina Battista from the IIHS or NHTSA, but according to the automaker, the hypercar was put through a rigorous six-phase safety testing simulation to ensure the highest safety levels. Its solid carbon fiber tub should provide a protective shell in the case of an unfortunate event.

There's not much information on which safety features are standard on the Pininfarina Battista, but it's likely that things have been kept as simple as possible. However, the carbon fiber monocoque, carbon fiber brakes, and history of crash-testing by the automaker should be a good indication that this isn't a stripped-down car with nothing in the way of protection. We also know that there are dual airbags, electronic stability control, ABS, and rearview cameras in order to meet federal regulations for street use in the USA.

It almost seems like a ridiculous question to ask of something this exclusive and this powerful. But with a price tag of over two million dollars and only 150 models planned for production, it can't just be a 'good' car - it has to be excellent. Ticking the box for rarity and exclusivity is obvious, and when it comes to looks (a subjective matter, yes), the Pininfarina Battista is a seamless blend of exotic beauty and racy potency in car form. It looks almost too elegant for a car that makes upwards of 1,800 hp - and when it comes to performance and speed, the Battista is right at the top of the food chain. It's never going to be a good family car, and mundane things like cargo space mean you won't be able to load up a trunk with groceries or luggage, and we know this. The infotainment and vehicle functions system isn't going to be to everyone's liking either. But if these are the metrics you're using to evaluate a hypercar, you really shouldn't be shopping in this segment.

The new Pininfarina Battista's starting price is $2.2 million, but that's not going to be the final MSRP - excluding destination and handling fees, each of the 150 Pininfarina Battista models will be hand-built to customer specification, expanding the final cost for each customer. Bespoke options will likely see the car breach the $3 million mark.

The automaker makes it clear that every person who buys a Battista will be invited to meet the design team in person at the Cambiano Atelier, and while it has mentioned one or two add-ons, the customization potential of the Pininfarina Battista is nearly endless. 128 million interior configurations and 13.9 quintillion exterior combinations are said to be available, and even if those numbers sound made up, the point is made: you can add on to and change your Battista in a myriad ways.

We do know there are interior and exterior Jewellery Packs that add aluminum elements with the name 'Battista' inscribed on it that you can have in a variety of colors and finishes, and buyers get to choose their seats and upholstery. The nose of the Battista is also customizable, but that's truly just the tip of the iceberg.

There aren't any trims in the Battista lineup, but there are technically three models: the standard Pininfarina Battista and two special edition models, namely the Battista Anniversario and the Edizione Nino Farina. The latter two are extremely limited, with only five of each being made and none of those available to the general public.

With only 140 models of the standard Battista to be produced (minus the five each for the special editions) - and a sky-high price tag - only a select few will be able to get their hands on one. And those who do get to kit it out to their exact whims and desires.