When trying to become a part the electric vehicle industry as a credible manufacturer, one has to make a big entry. And what easier way to make heads turn and people talk than have a renowned design house like Pininfarina draw up one's cars?
Hybrid Kinetic Group is a Chinese start-up trying to make a name for itself on the electric car market. To be noticed abroad, once again, they will show up in Geneva next month, to take part in the first auto show of the year and one of Europe's biggest.
And they will bring something with them. A vehicle called HK GT, the fourth to be drawn up by Italian design house Pininfarina for the Chinese company. Only this time the two companies promise an electric coupe like no other, “combining stylistic research with environmental sustainability.”
Pininfarina calls the car an “elegant Gran Turismo powered by an electric powertrain,” with batteries enhanced with the use of a turbine motor, but stopped short of providing further details.
Last year in Geneva, Pininfarina and HK presented the H600 luxury sedan. It too was eco-oriented, being powered by a hybrid drivetrain that allowed it to jump from 0 to 100 km/h in less than three seconds. The top speed of the car was electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).
The H600 and the GT followed other concepts presented by HK, who also worked in the past with Italdesign-Giugiaro for other vehicles. Still, the Chinese don't seem yet ready to fully enter the automotive market as none of their concepts become production versions.
Usually, Hybrid Kinetic Group manufactures electric buses, engines and battery cells. It had a brief foray in the United States in the early 2000s as Hybrid Kinetic Motors but did not succeed and headed back to mainland China where it opened several production facilities.
And they will bring something with them. A vehicle called HK GT, the fourth to be drawn up by Italian design house Pininfarina for the Chinese company. Only this time the two companies promise an electric coupe like no other, “combining stylistic research with environmental sustainability.”
Pininfarina calls the car an “elegant Gran Turismo powered by an electric powertrain,” with batteries enhanced with the use of a turbine motor, but stopped short of providing further details.
Last year in Geneva, Pininfarina and HK presented the H600 luxury sedan. It too was eco-oriented, being powered by a hybrid drivetrain that allowed it to jump from 0 to 100 km/h in less than three seconds. The top speed of the car was electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).
The H600 and the GT followed other concepts presented by HK, who also worked in the past with Italdesign-Giugiaro for other vehicles. Still, the Chinese don't seem yet ready to fully enter the automotive market as none of their concepts become production versions.
Usually, Hybrid Kinetic Group manufactures electric buses, engines and battery cells. It had a brief foray in the United States in the early 2000s as Hybrid Kinetic Motors but did not succeed and headed back to mainland China where it opened several production facilities.