Mahindra will develop these high-performance cars in collaboration with the Italian design house Pininfarina. Furthermore, these models are going to be the products of a new EV company which internally is known as the ‘Project Montana’.
Indian automobile manufacturers are not far behind when it comes to new innovations and groundbreaking ideas. Recently we saw the marvellous display of future technology and models by Tata Motors at the Auto Expo. Joining the bandwagon now is Mahindra and Mahindra with plans to launch rivals for world’s fastest supercars and SUVs. According to a report published in Autocar India, Mahindra is currently working on an electric supercar that will challenge the 1,500 BHP Bugatti Chiron. In addition to this, the report further states that the automaker will also develop a Lamborghini Urus challenger.
Project Montana
The homegrown automaker will develop these models in collaboration with the Italian design house Pininfarina. Furthermore, these models are going to be the results of an all-new EV company which internally is known as the ‘Project Montana’. Mahindra has made an initial investment of $100 million (approx INR 647 crore) in this project. And its name is going to be Automobili Pininfarina. Mahindra is likely to make an official announcement in this regard during the first race of the 2018 Formula E season in Rome on April 14.
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Interestingly, these new models are going to feature the Pininfarina badge. This will finally make the dream of Pininfarina founders come true to launch a road-going car under their brand name.
The Cars
The first car to be born out Automobili Pininfarina is an all-electric supercar. Codenamed as the PF-Zero, it will go against the benchmark, Bugatti Chiron. The company will keep the production of this vehicle quite limited, just 20 models. In addition to this, the automaker is also going to make a couple of electric SUVs. The range-topping model is going to compete against the Lamborghini Urus which currently holds the title of ‘World’s Fastest SUV’. This SUV is codenamed as the PF1.
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The PF1 is going to feature a battery pack of 140 KWh with an output of 700 KW which is equivalent to 940 BHP. The company is targeting at achieving a0-100 km/h time of under 3 seconds. In addition to this, the other two SUVs in the line-up are going to compete in the large and mid-size segments.
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Furthermore, to get the technological know-how of developing high-performance electric vehicles, Mahindra is collaborating with the Croatian company Rimac. To put things in perspective, Rimac has just premiered the C_Two concept. Its battery pack produces an equivalent of 1,915 BHP. Consequently, making the car reach from o-100 km/h in just 1.85 seconds. Not only this, the EV company is also going to take inputs from Mahindra’s Formula E team.
The Road Ahead
Mahindra’s new EV company, the Automobili Pininfarina expects to go into the development stage of these vehicles by the year 2018-19. Consequently, planning to produce these vehicles by the year 2020. Starting then, the automaker plans to launch the above mentioned four models within a five-year span. This new EV company will work exclusive of Mahindra’s main electric division.
