Pininfarina Pura Vision SUV unveiled

The Pininfarina Pura Vision SUV unveiled overnight heralds the first model in an all-new line-up of battery-powered luxury cars being developed by the Italian coachbuilder-turned-car-maker.

Said to be a “bridge” from Automobili Pininfarina’s present to its near future, the Pura Vision will inspire future models that will be produced in larger volumes than the 150-run Battista hypercar.

Looking more like a sleek jacked-up coupe than a traditional SUV, the Pura Vision previews an all-electric alternative to a Ferrari Purosangue.

But it’s much longer (+242mm), wider (+119mm) and taller (+52mm) than Ferrari’s controversial SUV, measuring 5215mm long, 2147mm wide and standing 1641mm tall.

Influenced heavily by the Battista, the Pura Vision mimics the hypercar’s face but gets hidden headlights and daytime running lamps that feature an ultra-slim L.E.S.S nanofibre lighting tech that uses fibres of less than 1mm thick.

Mixing exposed carbon-fibre with a Bianco Sestriere Gloss white finish, the designers manage to give the illusion of the Pura being a much lower car than it really is, thanks to a white stripe through the glass from its front screen to rear tailgate that makes the SUV look more like a high-riding shooting brake sitting on huge 23-inch rims.

Access to the Pura is via a pair of huge gullwing doors that show off a pillar-less, spacious four-seat cabin.

The glass canopy is said to feature UV reflective technology to keep the cabin cool in summer, while a hidden aluminium structure has been incorporated to protect occupants in the event of a rollover.

Inside, there’s a low driving position with the driver and passenger sitting on what looks to be a pair of floating wingback seats.

Ahead of the driver is a widescreen digital instrument cluster, while to the right is a rotary gear selector with another round screen within it.

Between driver and passenger is a touch-screen infotainment display embedded within a large fabric-wrapped arm rest.

The infotainment screen can rise up to eye level but can also be stowed, as shown, to reduce driver distraction. Also hidden within the cabin are speakers enclosed within the seat head rests and an integrated wine cooler.

The special fabric features heavily throughout the Pininfarina’s cabin, said to be made from 30 per cent Nativa wool and 70 per cent recycled polyester.

No details have been released on what powers the Pura but it’s believed to be based around a 746kW all-electric powertrain with a large 120kWh battery to provide for a range of 550km and a 0-100km/h sprint of less than 3.0 seconds.

Top speed, meanwhile, should be more than 300km/h.

Set to make its public debut at Monterey Car Week later this month, the Pininfarina Pura Vision is widely tipped to preview a production car that draws direct inspiration from the concept.

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