Pininfarina to launch electric super-SUV using Rivian tech

Automobili Pininfarina will follow its electric hypercar, the PF0, with three SUVs, of which the most powerful one - codenamed PF1 - will rival the Lamborghini Urus. 

As first reported by our sister site Autocar India, development work on the PF1 SUV has already begun back in the Mahindra-owned car maker’s headquarters in Munich. “Work has started on the PF1 and right now, we are in the process of finalising the design, which again is being done by Pininfarina,” said Pawan Goenka, MD of the Mahindra and Mahindra group. 

Pininfarina had previously confirmed that it will use powertrain and battery technology supplied by electric hypercar maker Rimac in the PF0. However, Autocar India has confirmed that Automobili Pininfarina will partner with Rivian, an electric vehicle maker and automotive technology company based in the US, for the underpinnings of its SUVs. Rivian Automotive will provide the ‘skateboard’ platform for the company’s all-electric SUV models that will follow the PF0.

Rivian, which has been making EV platforms for several years, recently launched its first production models at the LA motor show - the R1S SUV and R1T pick-up truck. Rivian officials at the show did not confirm the news about its partnership with Pininfarina but did state that the company had been in talks with Mahindra.

The Rivian R1S and R1T are designed to be capable on- and off-road and develop around 750bhp from electric motors at each wheel. The company says the vehicles will be semi-autonomous and will be offered with three battery packs delivering differing driving ranges, with the maximum being around 640km. 

Rivian’s skateboard platform is developed to offer electric vehicle technology that combines brisk pace and long range along with off-road capability. The platform combines features such as Dynamic Roll Control and air suspension with a battery with maximised energy density. Both Rivian models will be capable of a 0-60mph (0-100kph) time of around 3sec.

While it is not known if PF1 SUV will have the same off-road credentials as the Rivian SUV, the Pininfarina model is being developed to be blisteringly quick. It will be equipped with a 135Kwh battery pack (larger than the PF0’s 120 Kwh) and will have an 800V system for fast charging. With 200kW at each wheel, the PF1 might weigh around 2,300-2,400kg and could produce up to 800kW – equivalent to 1,074bhp.

Founded in 2009 by RJ Scaringe, Rivian recently secured $200 million (Rs 1,413 crore) from Standard Chartered, bringing its overall financing to $450 million (Rs 3,180 crore), having already secured funds from the investment arm of Saudi Arabia-based Abdul Latif Jameel and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas.

Also read:  Pininfarina reveals near-complete PF0 electric hypercar