AT A DEAD STOP under a cloudy sky, I reposition my hands on the steering wheel and ensure the proper bend of the elbows, oblivious to whether or not I’m breathing. Focus, instead, is on projecting a confident nonchalance to the engineer in the passenger seat, but it’s a struggle. Tom Petty was right—the waiting is the hardest part. “All clear,” crackles the walkie-talkie communique from the spotter ahead, and with Pavlovian response, my right foot meets the floor and the all-electric, 1,900hp Pininfarina Battista feels like it might warp physics in its attempt to cover zero to 100km/h in 1.86 seconds.
The rollout of Pininfarina’s first solo production vehicle in its 93-year history, however, has been quite a bit slower. After Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina launched his eponymous carrozzeria in 1930, it quickly gained renown for collaborations with the likes of Maserati, Alfa Romeo and, most notably, Ferrari—all wanting to have their models dressed in the atelier’s patrician bodywork, which looked like it had been sculpted by the wind and came to define the golden age of motorsport. Although most coachbuilders shuttered when growing postwar demand increased automation, Pininfarina persevered all the way into the electric vehicle (EV) era, though now owned by India’s Mahindra Group and divided into a commercial design house and the nascent automaker responsible for the controlled fury I’m currently piloting.
Esta historia es de la edición January 2024 de Robb Report Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 2024 de Robb Report Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Shine With Julia
Red-carpet elevation takes on new meaning with the Chopard x Julia Roberts high jewellery capsule collection.
Much Ado About Nothing
Is a cold, sanitised, minimalist aesthetic really aspirational? When it comes to our homes, a 'more is more' attitude might reflect a healthier outlook.
Putting The Fight In Flight
Military aircraft and their bizjet counterparts share more than meets the eye-to the benefit of both.
How Paris Got Its Groove Back
With a revitalised art scene, rule-breaking chefs and a slew of new hotels, the capital is ready again to go toe to toe with any city in the world.
The Art Of Evolution
Franck Muller transforms an icon with the new Long Island Evolution.
Urban Sanctuary
For investors who are interested in Indonesia’s property market, there’s no better place to consider than Savyavasa, a luxurious 402-unit condominium development in the south of Jakarta.
GREEN MONEY
Subrata Dutta of Samsonite on thoughtful retail practices and their impact on the environment.
The Ride Of Your Life
What could be better than a luxury cycling trip on a sultry Mediterranean island? One where your biggest hero in the sport is right alongside you.
A Parisian Dream
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 offers a unique opportunity to experience the event in unprecedented style, thanks to exclusive hospitality packages offered by the official hospitality provider, On Location.
Istanbul Is For Oenophiles
Turkey’s biggest city has some outstanding spots for wine lovers.