Production of Battista, the world’s first pure-electric hyper GT, has commenced in a dedicated new Atelier space in Cambiano, the Piemonte region of Italy. This stage represents an exciting chapter in the development story of new Italian luxury carmaker Automobili Pininfarina. 150 models of the award-winning car are being hand-crafted in the bespoke 2,300 square metre facility. Owners of Battista can look forward to world-class customer service through 25 experienced luxury partners in the Automobili Pininfarina global retailer network, as well its own team of Client Relations specialists.
The Battista Atelier is divided into 14 production and quality assurance zones. The production process uses modern technologies, like multiple new, bespoke mounting rigs across the Atelier, and more traditional processes and tools including highly accurate pneumatic screwdrivers recommissioned for detailed fittings for Battista. From start to finish, assembly of each pure-electric hyper GT takes 10 weeks, while the hand-painted finish of the Battista Anniversario requires an extended 18-week schedule. Each individual Battista is assembled by 10 craftspeople, taking more than 1,250 hours. The bespoke design features and finish of the exclusive Battista Anniversario extends this up to 1,340 hours.
The Battista’s rolling chassis, comprising electric powertrain, T-shaped battery, carbonfibre monocoque and all electrical systems, enters the first zone for evaluation against Automobili Pininfarina’s strict quality standards.
The vehicle begins to take shape as the primed Body-in-White is then bonded with the monocoque. With its ‘Goccia’ roof enclosing the cabin, the Battista gains structural strength and rigidity. Mounted on another bespoke rig, this two-day process measures and records every dimension to the finest tolerances in a measurement area that has featured in the successful creation of special vehicles for 20 years in the centre of the facility. The body is then dismounted from the chassis in preparation to move to a dedicated paint facility. The standard paint cycle takes three to four weeks.
After that, 80 per cent of the vehicle is assembled. The complex butterfly doors are fitted over two days using another unique piece of mounting equipment that can support the weight of the doors and tilt in multiple directions to ensure fitment is perfectly aligned.
The first end-of-line checks and commissions are undertaken next, with bespoke software and tooling used to check all standards are being met with the vehicle in Plant Mode. After that, the Battista is raised on another lift for 24 hours to complete a thorough wheel and steering alignment.
End-of-line quality checks include functional tests, a thorough aesthetic evaluation in the light tunnel and on-road testing. This ultimate GT testing programme is completed on a bespoke route designed to assess each Battista in a way that replicates how owners will use their vehicles across a varied route of road types and surfaces.
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