Pininfarina Unveils Nido EV Prototype

These days it is raining Italian design houses news: while Italdesign Giugiaro was acquired by the Volkswagen Group, Pininfarina is celebrating its 80th anniversary by presenting the Nido electric vehicle prototype.The vehicle uses a tubular steel frame and a modular floorpan, being able to accommodate two passengers.

The 900 kg EV features a Zebra Z5 Ni-NaCl recyclable battery and an electric motor which is mounted at the rear. This allows the Nido to offer a range of 140 km (87 miles), while needing 6.7 seconds to reach 60 km/h (37 mph) and having an electronically limited top speed of 120 km/h (74.6 mph), A full charge of the battery takes 8 hours.

The vehicle also features other eco-friendly solutions, such as an electric air conditioning compressor and a high voltage electric heater that are connected to a power efficiency system and a set of Pirelli “green” tires.

The Nido EV is the first running prototype of the “Nido Development Programme”, a project that will see electric cars being entirely designed and built by the Pininfarina Style and Engineering Centre of Cambiano (Turin). The car’s modular platform will also underpin a 2+2 seater, a pickup and a light van.

“The 'Nido Development Programme' also envisages the development of two more, slightly larger versions: the first will be a hybrid with an endothermic engine positioned at the front and an electrical engine at the rear; the second will be electric with a front engine. In both cases, the position of the engine makes it possible to increase roominess to seat 4, and to improve weight distribution,” stated the press release.