ROME — Attempts to get into the rarefied hypercar space are not all that rare. But there is something original about a new Indian-Italian effort to crack into the world of Ferrari and Lamborghini.
What makes it special? It's a volume brand taking an unprecedented leap into hypercars with an electric vehicle that is powered by Formula E technology.
In 2020, Mahindra & Mahindra, the diversified Indian conglomerate with $19 billion consolidated revenue in 2107, plans to launch a full electric hypercar under the Automobili Pininfarina brand that promises stunning performance, legendary Italian design and craftsmanship as well as a high-pedigree price close to $2.5 million.
In Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra's view, Mahindra's investment in 2015 to take a controlling stake in Pininfarina, the famed Italian design and engineering service company, was the cornerstone to building the new brand. That deal was worth about €168 million (about $205 million at the current exchange rate).
"I believe that Pininfarina already stands for everything we are trying to do," Mahindra said.
"Pininfarina is a story that was unfinished. The world loves stories, and they love seeing the completion of them."