Pininfarina's latest endeavor is the pint-sized Nido EV, a city car capable of transforming into four different vehicles.
Conceived and built to mark Pininfarina's 80th anniversary, the Nido EV prototype is the product of the Nido Development Program. It is primarily designed for urban duty and, despite the EV moniker, can utilize a hybrid gas-electric powertrain in lieu of an all-electric setup. The A-segment car is a bit larger than a Smart car but can also be turned into a four-seater, mini pickup truck, or small light van thanks to a modular floor pan.
In EV form, the rear-mounted electric motor puts out 40 horsepower and 92 pound-feet of torque. The motor propels the Nido EV two-seater from 0 to 37 mph in 6.7 seconds while the 21.2-kWh-rated, nickel-salt battery holds enough charge for a range of 87 miles. The electronically limited top speed pegs the needle at 75 mph, a more than adequate speed for the micro car that weighs close to 2000 pounds and measures 114 x 66 x 59 inches.
As the Nido EV was designed to be highly adaptable, options are this small Pininfarina's strength. As previously mentioned, a hybrid powertrain can also be shoehorned into the small Nido frame, with the conventional internal combustion engine in the front and the electric motor in the back. A front-engine, all-electric Nido is also achievable.
On the inside, the Nido EV doesn't sacrifice climate control. An electric-powered air-conditioning compressor and high-voltage heater are both fitted with automated control programs to help reduce power consumption. Regenerative braking is available specifically for the hybrid system.
While there wasn't any mention if or when the Nido EV would make it to production, we are looking forward to seeing more from the historic Italian coachmaker.
Thanks to: Motor Trend