HYPERCAR maker Pininfarina has revealed plans to follow the launch of the all-electric Battista with a series of investments and initiatives that will see the Italian brand develop into one of the world's leading luxury automotive companies.

At a private briefing in Los Angeles ahead of the LA Auto Show, chief executive Michael Perschke, chief design officer Luca Borgogno and chief sales officer Jochen Rudat revealed how 90 years of Pininfarina design and innovation heritage are being brought into play for the growth of the business.

Michael Perschke, said: "Visionary Italian design is the past and the future and as we head towards celebrating Pininfarina's 90 anniversary in 2020, we are inventing new markets and new client experiences, and we want to underscore our commitment to Italy through production of pure-electric vehicles there.

"Our strategic collaboration with Bosch and Benteler unlocks the opportunity for growth, through development of high performance EV architecture to be deployed by Automobili Pininfarina and potentially other OEM clients. The launch of Battista heralded the arrival of our exciting new brand, and these are the plans that give us a strong platform for future success."

The Battista hypercar development programme is now well advanced, with dynamic simulation and wind tunnel testing complete.

Prototype vehicles will be in testing throughout winter, ahead of client test drives in spring 2020.

For clients wishing to experience the pinnacle of EV performance in 2019, Automobili Pininfarina teamed up with Mahindra Racing to launch ‘Hyperdrive' at the Calafat Circuit in Spain, where clients drove the latest EV road cars on track before the ultimate test in a race-proven Formula E car.

Michael Perschke and Luca Borgogno provided the latest insights into the Battista development programme at the LA briefing, along with insights into how the company's second and third models will follow the Battista, redefining the market for pure-electric cars christened Luxury Utility Vehicles.

In confirming a future range of electric cars, Perschke underlined his ambition for Automobili Pininfarina to challenge the world's leading luxury car brands through the future acquisition of a production facility in Italy next year.

This potential investment would follow that made in the existing partnership with Pininfarina which will ensure every Battista is hand-crafted in the famous Cambiano atelier facility from the end of 2020 - a fitting end to the 90 anniversary of the famous Pininfarina design house.

Luca Borgogno also presented the Pura Vision design concept confirming that the full-scale version will make its world debut in North America in the second half of 2020.

The Pura Vision is intended to showcase Borgogno's new design philosophy for Automobili Pininfarina, pinpointing where historic inspiration and the technology of the future will combine in the company's forthcoming portfolio of luxury electric cars.