At this year’s Monterey Car Week, Automobili Pininfarina unveiled its B95 – the world’s first pure-electric, open-top hyper Barchetta. The simplicity of its flowing open-topped bodywork provides a dramatic modern interpretation of the classic racers from the golden era, while being underpinned by pure-electric performance.
B95 will be Pininfarina’s first production car based on the brand’s recently unveiled PURA design philosophy which emphasises an elegant silhouette and dramatic proportions. Paolo Dellachà, CEO of Automobili Pininfarina says: the PURA Vision is “a new design philosophy for all future models from our brand, across a spectrum of different segments. Now, our new Barchetta shows how these design principles can be applied – with a retro-futuristic vision fusing classic motorsport themes with the latest technological innovations, materials and processes.”
Production of B95 will begin in 2025, marking the 95th anniversary of Pininfarina SpA. The ‘B’ in its name stands for Barchetta. Both these elements thus combine to create the name Automobili Pininfarina B95.
Just ten B95 examples will be made, each one meticulously handcrafted as per the specification agreed between the Automobili Pininfarina design team in Cambiano and the individual clients. This will ensure complete exclusivity as no two will be the same. Clients can also order bespoke helmets, in a finish coordinated to match their chosen B95 specification.
The design of B95 is exemplified by the full-width enveloping bodywork which wraps around into the front fenders. The high swage line gives the outer body a stunning muscular appearance. The sleek, timeless lines contrast with technical detailing to create a pure, beautiful design. Pronounced wheel arches emphasise the shape and power of the vehicle.
The design team has defined the cabin space with a surrounding loop, which incorporates the seats, the world’s first electronically adjustable aero screens and the domes behind each passenger. Taking inspiration from vintage fighter planes, the clear polycarbonate design of aero screens feature intricately engineered and exposed aluminium supports, and can be raised and lowered by the client.
The B95 that made its debut in Monterey is finished in metallic Bronzo Superga, providing a dramatic contrast to the distinctive Giallo Arneis gloss section at the front and atop the driver’s dome, itself featuring Black Gloss ’95’ lettering. Exposed black carbon delivers a contrast to the elegant paintwork. This same detailing of contrast can also be viewed around the carbon fibre splitter at the front and around the rear aero outlet.
The body finish is a multi-layered gloss which combines gold metallic flakes to give it an incredible depth of colour. In the daytime, the accents appear gold in texture and colour, while at night it takes on a bronze hue, giving the impression of two different colours.
The new 20″ front / 21″ rear forged aluminium wheels are finished in Matt Black and contrast with exposed aluminium matt precision-polished outers. The centre lock rings are finished in brushed aluminium anodized in black, while the brake callipers are Giallo Arneis that match the exterior accents.
The interior continues the theme of a classic race car meeting futuristic design. From the driver’s seat, the expansive dashboard appears to merge with the exterior by extending the distinctive lines of the hood into the cabin. Together with the sculptural carbon-fibre dashboard, a floating wing effect is created. The dashboard is upholstered in tan ‘Sustainable Luxury Leather’ with bespoke embossing, which contrasts with the brushed black aluminium anodised finish that features elsewhere.
The seats, also finished in Tan leather, are also inspired by those of a classic race car and are designed to curve around the occupant. Both seats have been profiled to cosset the driver and passenger, and feature a two-part design with aluminium inserts. The headrests, featuring electro-welded Pininfarina logos, are finished in a Pied de Poule Houndstooth textile while black and tan contrast stitching continues across the seats, door interiors and dash.
There are seemingly unlimited bespoke opportunities for collectors while specifying a B95. One of the most noticeable bespoke opportunities is the laser-engraved aluminium door plate, located on the outer edges of both doors and easily visible when entering and exiting the car. Finished in anodised black with bespoke B95 engraving in white, they add a sense of theatre to entering the hyper Barchetta.
The B95 is powered by the same state-of-the-art powertrain in the Battista hyper GT. It can accelerate from 0-60mph (95kmph) in less than 2 seconds, and has a top speed of more than 300kmph. It features a high-capacity 120 kWh lithium-ion battery generating a peak power of 1400 kW (1900 PS). The T-shaped liquid-cooled battery pack, protected within a strong and lightweight carbon fibre housing, can be charged using DC fast chargers up to 270kW – for a 20-80% top-up in as little as 25 mins.
The power is delivered to the road via four independent high-performance electric motors – one driving each wheel. Five distinct drive modes – Calma, Pura, Energica, Furiosa and Carattere – leverage the Full Torque Vectoring technology to enable the driver to tailor power delivery and handling to suit their preference and driving conditions. The five driving modes are activated via a tactile rotary selector located next to the steering wheel.
Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman of Pininfarina SpA, said: “The B95 is elegant, bold, beautiful, and innovative. Everything that defines a true Pininfarina design. It will be the perfect celebration of the 95th anniversary of Pininfarina, which has an unrivalled history creating rare icons that are now the most revered and sought-after collectors’ cars in the world. B95 will undoubtedly continue this legacy and also deliver a statement of intent for Automobili Pininfarina as it develops an incredible portfolio of new luxury electric cars.”
