At the Geneva Motor Show 2017, former Formula 1 and Indianapolis 500 champion Emerson Fittipaldi drove the new supercar model he developed in line with the Italian ultra-light supercar manufacturer Pininfarina: the Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Gran Turismo. The new model, conceptualized with Fittipaldi’s ideal track car in mind, was realized in collaboration with German engineering firm HWA AG. Modelled after race cars, its naturally aspirated V8 engine has an integrated gearbox.
As for the styling, Fittipaldi used a shark as his touchstone in the briefing sessions. He wanted a ferocious predator that is graceful and beautiful, yet also a little frightening to look at. “I have tried for years to explain to others what it truly feels like to be behind the steering wheel of a championship racecar. There is adrenaline and elation all rolled into an awe-inspiring inner fulfillment that leaves you craving for more. This is what our dream team created in the EF7 Vision Gran Turismo by Pininfarina,” said Fittipaldi.
The model will undergo into a limited production run under the newly formed Fittipaldi Motors marque. Each buyer will gain exclusive membership to the Fittipaldi Racing Club where they will receive one-on-one driving tuition from Fittipaldi himself and get to compete in race days at some of the world’s most famous circuits. The car will also make an appearance in the popular PlayStation game Gran Turismo later this year as a guest car.
Pininfarina’s other world debut is the H600, a luxury sports sedan built for Hybrid Kinetic Group (HK), a Hong Kong company specializing in electric and hybrid powertrains. The 5-meter-long sedan uses a combination of electric motors, a battery pack and a turbine engine that spins to recharge the battery on the go and extend range. As a result, the car is able to travel for up to 1000km before the battery and fuel tank require replenishment. The model’s compact drivetrain means there is much more cabin space available than in any of its potential competitors.
The sedan represents the start of an ongoing partnership between the two companies that will see Pininfarina design and build cars for the Chinese market. Chief Executive Officer of Pininfarina, Silvio Pietro Angori, said of the collaboration: “Pininfarina has always had sustainable mobility in its DNA. With the H600, it responds once again to the need for zero emissions, felt more than anywhere in Hybrid Kinetic Group’s home market, China.”
