With elegant lines and racy elegance, the renowned Italian design studio “Pininfarina” has been enriching the automotive world with extravagant designs for almost 95 years.
The story of Pininfarina began in 1930 when its founder, Battista “Pinin” Farina, dedicated himself to the design and details of limited-edition luxury sports cars. The Turin-based car body builder became famous primarily for its work for Ferrari, but in total, Pininfarina designed over 1,200 vehicles – from sports cars to compact cars. ADAM spoke with chief designer Dave Amantea about the challenges of design, and groundbreaking developments, in the age of electric mobility.

ADAM: You’ve received numerous awards in recent years. I assume it’s going well for you?
Dave Amantea: The awards are a great honour and at the same time bring with them the responsibility to live up to the Pininfarina name.
What is the significance of electri-
fication for Automobili Pininfarina?
The electric age has just begun, and the best is yet to come. Electrification allows us to set new design standards and pioneer new innovations. The “Battista” is the first Italian electric hypercar to be homologated, featuring cutting-edge technologies and a captivating silhouette that at the same time honours Pininfarina’s heritage. This car is already an icon, and expectations are accordingly high.


Can one already speak of an icon after just a few years?
A car becomes iconic not only through its design, but also through its per-
formance, innovation, and exclusivity. With almost 2,000 hp and world-leading technology, the Battista is unique – and limited to just 150 units.
What would the founding father Battista “Pinin” Farina say if he could see his namesake car?
I hope he’d say “WOW,” and I think he’d look down on us and our design with pride. He was a visionary, and his 1959 prediction that cars would free themselves from the internal combustion engine has now become reality.
What significance does the Battista have for the company?
As the most powerful Italian car ever produced, it is the first model to bear the Automobili Pininfarina name. The Battista symbolises our motto: “Dream Cars. Made Real”.
What advantages does the design of an electric car offer compared to a combustion engine?
The architecture of an electric car offers greater freedom to create a perfect silhouette and a low centre of gravity. Our goal is to combine beauty and technical excellence.
In 2023, Automobili Pininfarina unveiled three cars!
It was a spectacular year with the unveiling of the Battista Edizione Nino Farina, the B95 Barchetta, and the design concept of “PURA Vision.” The Battista connects us to the present, while PURA Vision defines the future.
What is behind the concept of “PURA Vision”?
It is the essence of timeless design, inspired by iconic Pininfarina vehicles of the past. Our goal was to create a clean, elegant design language that will shape future models.
What was the response to the B95 at Monterey Car Week?
Fantastic! It was exciting to see how enthusiastically the audience and press reacted. The bold presentation was exactly the right step.
Where did the inspiration for the B95 come from?
We combined the spirit of an open-top Le Mans racer from the 1960s with the futuristic design of modern F1 cars. The model was also inspired by Pininfarina classics such as the Maserati Birdcage 75th, Ferrari Testarossa Lamelles, Pininfarina Abarth Prototype, Pura Vision, and Battista.
What challenges need to be overcome to maintain the lead over the competition?
We need to take risks and drive innovation. Developing an electric hypercar with nearly 2,000 hp is an enormous challenge, but essential for our future.
Will Automobili Pininfarina target other vehicle categories in the future?
Yes, but step by step. Nevertheless, we want to preserve our “Pininfarina soul” and focus on exclusive small series.
You were named by Bloomberg as one of only 50 people on Bloomberg Businessweek’s 2023 “Ones to Watch” list. Your thoughts on that?
It is a great honour and a testament to the hard work of my team.


How are future design trends recognised?
With vision, intuition, and a dash of luck. You have to look at the world from different perspectives and understand how people want to live in the future.
Which car impressed you the most in your childhood?
A Ferrari Testarossa, which as a child was the object of my wonder. It was love at first sight!
Is Pininfarina the reason you became a car designer?
Yes, definitely! I was born in Turin, embraced the principles of the Pininfarina school, and now work as chief designer for Automobili Pininfarina – it feels like destiny.
And if you hadn’t become a car designer?
I would design futuristic vehicles for Hollywood – no technical limitations, just pure creativity.

Photos Copyrights: © Automobili Pininfarina