Automobili Pininfarina Pura Vision: electric extravagance

Those who follow the car news on AutoWeek.nl closely will probably recognize the Automobili Pininfarina Pura Vision. Already more than two years ago we turned up patent plates of the Pura Vision and then a year later we came across new sketches of the study model. What turned out; Automobili Pininfarina had tweaked the design a bit and now we see that we were able to admire the end result at the time. Now the Italians themselves are pulling the curtain off the Pura Vision and although it has already been seen in general, it remains a striking appearance.

Not traditional

Automobili Pininfarina has put the umpteenth electric SUV on the world with the Pura Vision, but it does so in a creative way. The Pura Vision is not a traditionally lined SUV and you could also see it as a kind of high-legged GT or shooting brake. The front is defined by a kind of notch over the entire width, in which the headlights are housed at the corners. Underneath is a fairly large front bumper with air intakes that would not look out of place on a car that has a large combustion engine in the nose.

Although the Pura Vision stands high on its legs, the sharply tapered nose should still allow for some aerodynamic efficiency. This also applies to the windows and the roof, because together they form a fairly rounded whole, which also relatively does not protrude that high above the rest of the car. At the back, the Pura Vision takes a bit of the same approach as the front, with fairly minimalist lighting above the hefty bumper work. A spoiler protrudes from the roof at the rear, through which the air can flow both below and above.

Spacious and light

The hefty hips of the Automobili Pininfarina Pura Vision may suggest otherwise, but we are dealing with a five-door car here instead of a three-door. However, they are far from conventional doors, as they open in opposite directions, creating a huge amount of space to get into. After all, the Pura Vision does not have a B-pillar. In the Pura Vision you take a seat in the front on sporty-lined seats, in the back you can sink deep into a sumptuously decorated seat. Looking outside from there is a challenge, although the exuberant amount of glass in the roof ensures that you do not lack daylight.

All in all, it looks rather quiet and luxurious on board the study model and the minimalist dashboard contributes to this. In front of you you will find a digital set of instruments that is wide enough to display numerous relevant data. If that wasn’t enough, there’s another head-up display. A second screen protrudes from the fairly large center tunnel, on which the infotainment and, for example, the climate control and vehicle settings can be called up. You choose the direction of travel with a rotary knob to the right of the steering wheel, and to the left of the steering wheel is a button that allows you to switch between different driving modes.

Prelude to several production cars

Automobili Pininfarina is not yet commenting on technical possibilities, but we are mainly dealing with a visual signboard here. In any case, Pininfarina already reveals that the Pura Vision is the harbinger of several production cars. We now know that the Pininfarina Battista will have a ‘hyper-GT’ as a brother later this year, so who knows, design influences from this Pura Vision may already seep there.