News: 2023 Pebble Beach Concept EV Debuts
6 Exotic EVs Announced at Monterey Car Week
Electric cars to this point have pretty much been designed to replace the daily drivers we all use—everyday sedans, SUVs and pickup trucks. But what about the far-out and wild models that, even if not realistic for 99.999% of the common folk to own, are still oh-so-very-cool.
Then along comes the 2023 Monterey Car Week, which includes Pebble Beach and The Quail cargasmic celebrations. Located on the picturesque Monterey Peninsula, this year six exotic or hyper EV or hybrids were debuted. For the most part they will only be in limited production and the owners may never take them on the street or track, but it is nice having the fantasy of what it would be like to drive one of them.
Lamborghini Lanzador EV Concept
The Lanzador Concept is a Grand Turismo 2+2 that offers a look at the next step in the Lamborghini decarbonization and electrification plan announced in 2021. Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini chairman and CEO said: “With this concept, we are ushering in a new car segment, the Ultra GT, (that will) offer customers a new driving experience, (but) one that’s quintessentially Lamborghini”
The all-wheel drive Lanzador has an electric motor on each axle and a driving dynamics system controlled by the driver for an individual driving experience. Add-in rear-wheel steering and air suspension, and the handling should easily be up to Lamborghini performance standards. The front and rear active aerodynamics change based on the driver-selectable driving mode, maximizing aerodynamic efficiency by regulating the airflow that can either increase all-electric driving range or downforce for performance driving.
Taking the Lanzador Concept into production has not been announced, but don’t be surprised if it does in the coming years.
Lotus Eletre SUV EV
Lotus, with a long and proud history, says “the Eletre takes the core principles from 75 years of sports car design and engineering (and) evolves the brand as a desirable lifestyle vehicle that is practical and spacious.”
The Eletre R (905 hp/727 ft.-lb. torque/238 miles range is designed with performance in mind with intelligent active roll control and active rear steering), Pirelli P Zero performance tires and a Track drive mode. The Eletre S (603 hp/524 lb.-ft. torque/293 miles range) is focused on luxury. Both models have full-time all-wheel drive. Pricing has not been announced for North America, but begins at $104,312 in Europe and $122,211 in the United Kingdom.
Pininfarina Pura Vision Design Concept
Pininfarina says the Pura Vision a “striking interpretation of an electric luxury utility vehicle (that) features a narrow glasshouse and tri-opening pillar-less doors.” As a design concept it includes LED ambient lighting, a large passenger cabin with a flat floor and luxury appointments throughout. The front seats appear to be “floating” like a foil on a boat while the center console resembles a sail boom.
No production plans were announced.
Pininfarina Barchetta B95 EV
The “B” in B95 stands for “Barchetta,” Italian for ”little boat.” It isn’t designed to go on water, but it does have a boat’s open-top design attributes. Twin aero screens give the B95 an elegant but sporty look while protecting the passengers.
Inspired by the Pininfarina Pura Vision, the B95 will be one very special all-electric hyper car. Starting with its guaranteed rarity (only 10 examples are being hand-crafted for collectors), the world’s-first pure-electric hyper Barchetta will be priced from $4,780,000 or €4.4m. Don’t expect to see a B95 at your local market, but one may turn up at Pebble Beach one year.
Pininfarina Battista Edizione Nino Farina
The third all-electric offering coming from Pininfarina will be even rarer than the B95, as only five will be hand-crafted. Each will be finished in Rosso Nino—a deep, rich red hue that will be accented by pinstriping, and a laurel wreath on the rear panel behind the door.
Now for something a bit different!
Czinger 21C Vmax and 21C Blackbird Hybrid Edition
Czinger, known for making limited-run hypercars, didn’t disappoint this year at Pebble Beach. The 2024 Czinger 21C Blackbird edition is included in this overview even though it is a hybrid and not a pure EV. The 21C Blackbird is a prime example of how electric motors and a gasoline engine can be designed to produce stellar performance.
Inspired by the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance spy aircraft, the 21C has black paint, exposed carbon body panels, including a large front splitter, carbon wheels and a huge wing. Body panels and key parts were not cast or stamped, but were 3D printed to precise measurements by the Czinger-owned company, Divergent. Divergent says its “digital production system radically transforms auto manufacturing economics and environmental impact using a data-driven approach for designing and building vehicle structures.”
What this means for auto production can be demonstrated on the 21C. Key mechanical parts such as the steering column and gearbox are 40% lighter than a cast equivalent. For efficiency, whether it’s powered by gasoline, diesel or electricity, lighter is better.
Performance-wise, the 21C Blackbird is a beast with a top speed exceeding 231 miles per hour. To get to that speed, it has a 2.8-liter twin-turbo DOHC 32-valve V-8 producing 950 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque. Add to that three 150-horsepower electric motors—two upfront and one at the rear—for a massive combined 1,350 horsepower. This is good for an eye-popping 0-to-60 miles per hour in 1.9 seconds and the quarter mile in 8.1 seconds.
Only 80 21C Vmax will be built with a base price of $2,800,000. There will be four 21C Blackbird editions built, but they have all been pre-sold at a base price of $3,550,000.
Summary
These cars carry a hefty price tag, but owning or even driving one would be on many a bucket list. Heck, what’s wrong with dreaming!
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by the manufacturers.
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