BEIJING MOTOR SHOW: Italdesign Quintessenza is both fast GT and ute
Rapid 580kW EV has removeable rear body panels, blending GT car with pick-up truckThe wild Italdesign Quintessenza concept emerged at the Beijing motor show last week – a battery-powered Ford F-150-sized all-electric GT that can be converted into a ute.
Said to have been inspired by an Italian GT or supercar up front, the Quintessenza features a long bonnet and a prominent nose that uses active aerodynamics to balance cooling and downforce.
The splitter, for example, has a raised position for off-road driving or low-speed urban environments and then lowers for faster high-speed open roads.
The unusual chunky front fenders, meanwhile, are made from a natural-carbon composite and also have aerodynamic properties, while the bonnet includes yet more active elements that feed air into the cabin ventilation system.
Interior space is generous – as you would hope with such a big vehicle, the Quintessenza measuring in at 5561mm long with a generous 3240mmn wheelbase, although access to the rear seats isn’t easy as the Italdesign creation has just two scissor doors.
Once you’re in, there’s a mini bar big enough to swallow a bottle of wine and two glasses, packaged within a large centre console that stretches all the way through the cabin.
With the rear body panels removed, you can rotate and recline the rear seats to give a commanding view of the great outdoors – perfect for stargazing at night or peering at the car behind that’s tailgating you on the highway.
Ahead of the driver there’s a thin narrow instrument panel, plus a dash with a touch-sensitive surface that incorporates the climate control.
Instead of a large infotainment screen, there’s a simple mounting point above the four-spoke yoke-style steering wheel to fix your smartphone in place, ensuring a clean, minimalist cabin design.
Aiding access to the rear bed is a height-adjustable suspension that can lower by up to 80mm to aid access.
The Quintessenza draws energy from a large 150kW battery that provides for a range of up to 750km, thanks in part to its slippery aerodynamics and lightweight aluminium structure.
Acceleration is explosive from a tri-motor powertrain that produces a combined 580kW – enough for a 0-100km/h claim of less than 3.0 seconds.
There’s no word on payload or towing capacities, or if there’s any intention to push the Italdesign Quintessenza into even limited production.
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