Automobili Pininfarina design chief Dave Amantea named ‘One To Watch’ by Bloomberg

Dave Amantea, Chief Design Officer at Automobili Pininfarina, has been named as one of the Bloomberg 50 ‘Ones to Watch’ for 2023 by the editors of Bloomberg Businessweek.

Bloomberg Businessweek's ‘Ones to Watch’ list shines a light on the innovators and leaders who are having a significant impact in entertainment, arts and culture. An unranked list, it represents the most influential thought leaders of 2023.

Turin native Amantea joined the Automobili Pininfarina team in 2018 as Director of Exterior Design, a role that saw him shape the Battista pure-electric hyper GT, Battista Anniversario and, most recently, the exclusive Battista Edizione Nino Farina.

In 2022, he was appointed Chief Design Officer, and he evolved the company’s PURA design philosophy – showcasing an elegant silhouette, dramatic proportions and clean surfaces – which sets the template for all future models. The first embodiment of his approach was the PURA Vision design concept, which made its world premiere this summer, quickly followed by the Automobili Pininfarina B95 – the world’s first pure-electric hyper Barchetta.

In 2023, Dave and his team designed and presented the world’s first hyper-electric Barchetta, the B95.

Dave Amantea, Chief Design Officer, Automobili Pininfarina, said: “I am incredibly proud to receive this prestigious honour. This award recognises our teams in Cambiano, Munich and representatives around the world that bring the Automobili Pininfarina dream to reality. As a business, we are a family of incredibly talented individuals that collaborate to deliver purity of design, performance and elegance. This recognition underlines Automobili Pininfarina’s position as an industry leader that is setting the template that others will follow.”

Being named on Bloomberg Businessweek’s 'Ones to Watch' list caps a successful year for Amantea and Automobili Pininfarina. In 2023, Dave and his team have already designed and presented to great acclaim the world’s first hyper-electric Barchetta, the B95, as well as the stunning design concept, the PURA Vision e-LUV.

The PURA Vision e-LUV concept is a stunning design.

In September, he collected the trophy for the 'Best Use of Materials in Design' award for the PURA Vision, awarded by CarDesign Spain. The focus on sustainability and quality is evident throughout the vehicle. Taking inspiration from luxury sailing yachts, it features carefully curated materials within an intuitive, technology-rich cabin designed to serve occupants with only the information and services they need.

The application of sophisticated, authentic and highly tactile materials contributes to a unique sense of crafted contemporary luxury. Each of the four individual seats features a crisp white finish, while charcoal leather on the dashboard and door tops provides a continuous 360-degree accent band around the interior. Imperious, sustainably produced, soft semi-aniline leather mixes with a signature textile fabric throughout, elevating the feeling of exceptional quality embedded within the car’s design.

The PURA Vision delivered further success for the brand when it received the ‘Gold’ accolade at the 2023 New York Product Design Awards. Recognition in the ‘Automotive & Transport – Cars & Motorcycles’ category affirms Automobili Pininfarina’s commitment to innovative and sustainable design. The annual awards recognise the designs of product designers, design teams, and manufacturers, that have made daily living that much better with their practical and ingenious creations.

Automobili Pininfarina now employs 116 people across its engineering headquarters in Cambiano, Italy, and innovation hub in Munich, Germany, in a team that comprises more than 20 different nationalities, harnessing global expertise and experience to shape a new era in electric mobility.

Automobili Pininfarina’s team of expert in-house designers is looking to expand with new positions based in Cambiano, Italy. A full list of the available roles can be found at automobili-pininfarina.jobs.personio.de