Automobili Pininfarina to use Benteler platform for electric SUV and future models

German technology provider and supplier Benteler has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Automobili Pininfarina, the high-performance sports car and luxury electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer headquartered in Munich, Germany with roots in the Italian car design firm and coachbuilder Pininfarina, which is now owned by India’s Mahindra Group. Together, the companies will develop a platform for electric vehicles, which will form the basis of Automobili Pininfarina’s future range of luxury electric cars.

Benteler says it laid the foundation for this strategic collaboration when it presented the Benteler Electric Drive System 2.0 at Auto Shanghai in April 2019. The series-ready modular platform solution for electric vehicles has a proven design. It can be tailored to the customer’s exact requirements and is scalable for numerous vehicle segments.

Michael Perschke, CEO of Automobili Pininfarina, said: “We chose Benteler because it is a leading global partner for the automotive industry. With Benteler, we integrate strong competence when it comes to chassis and body-in-white, together with extensive know-how in the field of electric mobility. We are convinced that through the collaboration with Benteler, we can bring to market a genuinely innovative, performance electric vehicle platform that will accelerate the adoption of emission-free motoring.”

The first model developed by Pininfarina based on Benteler 's platform solution will be an electric SUV. It is expected to be launched in 2022.

The collaboration confirms the functionality and performance of Benteler’s e-mobility solutions under real-world conditions. Marco Kollmeier, vice-president of the Business Unit Electro-Mobility in Benteler Automotive, said: “Offering e-mobility solutions is a natural step for Benteler. With products such as electrified chassis solutions, battery storage systems and the Benteler Electric Drive System 2.0, we support our customers to respond quickly to the increasing trend in e-mobility.”

What is Benteler’s Electric Drive System 2.0?
The Benteler Electric Drive System 2.0 is a showcase for the company´s entire engineering and metal-processing competence: from components and modules for chassis, body-in-white and engine and exhaust applications to modular e-mobility system solutions.

The company says the EV platform is now ready for immediate implementation for its customers because it now includes tested and validated crash management and tuned axle systems for high driving comfort and handling. All interfaces to the car body are optimally defined. Benteler is offering entire system engineering and program management from concept to start of production. The company supports its customers in contracted manufacturing or with a license for in-house production. The industrialisation concept is designed for cost-efficient production.

Benteler says the Electric Drive System 2.0 is weight-optimised, adjustable to any customer requirement and scalable for numerous vehicle segments. Specially designed for e-mobility, it integrates several functions which can be ordered as a complete solution or as individual modules:

- Integrated crash management
- Flexible and scalable battery storage system
- Electrified chassis solutions
- E-motor integration for 2WD or 4WD
- Thermal management solutions for electronic components, and
- Wireless and inductive charging.

Also read: Benteler electric drive system to enter series production with Chinese start-up