Studios like Pininfarina typically design cars for other automakers. Like the HK GT concept, for example,
revealed today at the Geneva Motor Show. But once in a while, they do something
on their own. Pininfarina captured our imaginations at the show two years ago
when it revealed the H2 Speed concept. And now it’s putting it into production.
The hydrogen-powered track car is designed by the famous Italian carrozzeria, with help on the powertrain side
from its racing partner GreenGT. The Franco-Swiss outfit has been experimenting
with clean propulsion systems for about a decade now, and its expertise will
undoubtedly mesh well with Pininfarina’s track record of designing and even
producing world-class supercars.
The carbon-fiber chassis underpinning the H2 Speed
is derived from a Le Mans prototype, modified with a longer wheelbase and
narrower track. It also has a higher-mounted cockpit to let the amateur
millionaires (that are bound to buy this high-tech toy) see the track around
them better. The bodywork is completely fresh. It
features a closed cockpit, an air scoop on the roof, giant air intakes on the
sides, a horizontal fin to keep it stable, and a big rear wing to help keep it
planted to the track surface.
The advanced hybrid powertrain incorporates four electric
motors and a lightweight fuel cell. The system produces 653 horsepower – far
more than the original concept. In a package weighing 3,130 pounds (1420 kg
with bodywork), that’s enough to send the track car rocketing to 100
km/h in 3.4 seconds, covering 400 meters (an approximate quarter-mile) in 11
seconds before reaching a top speed of 300 km/h. Try doing that in a
Toyota Mirai or Honda Clarity.
The system drives directly to the rear wheels, with
no clutch, shifter, or differential – just a torque vectoring system. All this
while emitting nothing more harmful to the environment than water vapor. And
it’s faster to top up than an EV, taking just three minutes to top up the
hydrogen tank.
Like what you see? Better act fast, because
Pininfarina will only make 12 examples. And though it hasn’t said how much it
will charge for each one, you can bet the sticker price will have a lot of
zeroes in it.
