Automobili Pininfarina has added substance to its claims that its pure-electric Battista a hyper GT is the world’s fastest accelerating production car. During tests at India’s Natrax test facility in February, the tests indicated the Battista has set road-legal car records for the ¼ mile and ½ mile sprints.
The VBOX data systems fitted to the test vehicle recorded a quarter-mile time of 8.55 seconds and a half-mile result of 13.38 seconds. The Italian brand’s performance, test and validation team, including development driver Stefano Costa, were joined at the Natrax event by Autocar India editor Hormazd Sorabjee (also a judge on the Vehicle Dynamics International awards) and his colleague and road tester Renuka Kirpalani, with the aim of showcasing the performance of the Battista.
The Battista produces over 1,900hp and 2,340Nm torque, with power distributed across all four wheels via four motors and through a unique torque vectoring system tuned by Automobili Pininfarina’s engineers at the luxury carmaker’s development centre in Italy.
Running on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, Hormazd Sorabjee tackled the top-speed test, achieving 358.03km/h (222.47mph) on the track – eclipsing the previous top speed record in India of 332km/h (206mph), which was also held by Autocar India. Renuka Kirpalani went on to clock 357.10km/h (221.89mph), setting the record for the fastest Indian female driver in the world. Both these top speed records were validated by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the Indian sporting body affiliated to the FIA.
With Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tyres then fitted for acceleration tests, Battista registered two new production car world records for sprints over quarter and half-mile distances. Both types of Michelin tyres are available to order with Battista at the point of purchase.
You can view a video of the remarkable test programme HERE.
Paolo Dellachà, CEO of Automobili Pininfarina said: “We were very proud to bring Battista to India for the first time. Collaborative events there with our shareholder Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd were delivered at a significant time for Automobili Pininfarina. In 2022 we began production of Battista at our new Atelier facility in Italy, with deliveries to customers worldwide starting soon after.”
“These speed records – and independent tests – have validated our ambition to create a new generation of hyper and luxury car leading with Battista, whereby electric power delivers performance that is simply unachievable in the world of ICE powertrains,” added Dellachà, also stating that the car has “a level of vehicle dynamics which sets a new benchmark among hypercars.”
Hormazd Sorabjee said of his experience: “Nothing prepares you for the brutal acceleration and pace of the Battista. It’s like being shot from a cannon. Equally amazing is the ease with which Battista hit its top speed, within just half a straight of Natrax’s high-speed track. Even at VMax, the Battista felt rock solid, relaxed, and discreet. This is the future of speed.”
In 2022 the Battista set a series of performance world records at Automobili Pininfarina’s test base at Nardò, Italy. The car’s launch control technology contributed to Formula 1 car-beating acceleration, with 0-60mph achieved in 1.79s, 0-100km/h completed in 1.86s, 0-120mph executed in 4.49s and 0-200 km/h achieved in 4.75 seconds. Official tests also confirmed Battista achieves the shortest stopping distance of any electric vehicle in the world, completing 100-0 km/h in 31 metres.
