PEAKLIFE

So what exactly is a Hypercar? Ask most enthusiasts and they will wax eloquent on how when you go beyond the capabilities of a supercar, you come across a Hypercar. Couple of interesting things here I would like to point out – one of the prime contenders for the Hypercar title is Pininfarina Battista, a car we should all be proud of because the company is owned by Mahindra. It is clear that electric is here to stay, as most others are all hybrid-electric cars here. Only the Ferrari does not strictly qualify as a Hypercar, but what is a Hypercar compilation without a Ferrari? 

 

By Ranojoy Mukerji

 

Aston Martin Valkyrie

 

The Aston Martin Valkyrie, sometimes also referred to as the Nebula, is a limited edition hybrid and electric sports car built by Aston Martin in collaboration with the Red Bull racing team and other manufacturers. The idea is to make a sportscar with relevant F1 technologies, which will also be the world’s fastest road going car, or as claimed by the manufacturers. It is named as the Valkyrie, after a Norse mythological figure. Incidentally, Aston Martin also uses ‘V’ in all its model names. The car is very aerodynamic in nature; with a specially designed underfloor that works on the venture effect, keeping the sportscar firmly planted on the ground. The interiors, like any modern sports car has done away with traditional dials and analogue gauges, instead incorporating digital screens that can be configured as per private preferences. Even the rear view mirrors are displayed in screens, whilst the steering wheel has its own display. Much like a F1 car.

 

The engine is 6.5-litre V12, naturally-aspirated powerplant by Cosworth, with an output of 1,000bhp at 10,500rpm! Croatian Hypercar developer Rimac provides the hybrid battery system, which generates an additional 160bhp. The car does 0-100 in less than 2.5 seconds and goes on to a top speed in excess of 400 kmph. All 150 examples to be built have already been sold, at a base price of INR 23 crores, although it is not clear whether any are coming to India.

 

Bugatti Divo

 

The Divo is a special commemorative edition by Bugatti, in memory of French racing driver Alberto Divo, who raced for Bugatti in the 1920s and was very successful.  The Divo is a mid-engined Hypercar, with only 40 examples being produced, alongside the currently in production Chiron Hypercar. Although the underpinnings are similar, the Divo in some ways is notably different than the Chiron. It draws its influence from the Bugatti Type 57SC, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cars in the world. There is a new redesigned exhaust system with quad pipes and a 1.8 metre wide fixed wing, giving you some idea about the car’s width. It has new headlamps and tail lamps, improved downforce thanks to the massive rear wing. Bigger vents cool the radiators as well as the brakes. Inside, the Diva uses Alcantara and carbon-fibre extensively to save weight. Concentration on weight saving is so phenomenal that there is now a lighter sound system inside and storage spaces in the doors and central console have been removed for a weight saving of 35kg!

 

The engine of the Divo outputs a massive 1,479bhp and 1,600Nm of torque from its 8.0-litre v16 engine with four turbos. There is a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for sending power to all the wheels. All this prowess makes the Divo accelerate from 0-100kmph in 2.4 seconds, though Bugatti has restricted the top speed to 380 kmph. The price of the Divo is approximately INR 46 crore in Delhi and like the Valkyrie; all units were sold on the first day of announcement.

 

Pininfarina Battista

 

Pininfarina is of course a very well-known design company based out of Cambiano in Italy. Interestingly, it was acquired by our very own Mahindra in 2015 and since then has been thoroughly rejuvenated and is continuing its tradition of designing some of the most beautiful cars in the world. The latest from this Italian company however blew away its most hardened critics – the Battista, a landmark electric Hypercar, which is as beautiful to look at, as its super performance, which can put the world’s best Hypercars to shame. The Battista was unveiled at the Geneva Motorshow on march 4th by Anand Mahindra, Mahindra Group Chairman, Paolo Pininfarina, Pininfarina SpA Chairman and Michael Perschke, Automobili Pininfarina CEO. Perschke is no stranger to India, having done a stint with Audi in India as its Managing director from 2010-13. With zero emissions from its stipulated 1,900bhp all-electric powertrain, the Battista is not only ultra-powerful but ultra-green as well. It’s a Hypercar, which appeals to both the head and the heart. Nico Rosberg, the 2016 F1 champion, unveiled the car. 

 

Rimac, the Croatian Hypercar manufacturer now seems to be one of the most popular suppliers for Hypercar powertrains and on the Battista too they have left their extraordinary signature. Pirelli has developed a special tyre for the car and at the Geneva Motorshow; the Battista was riding on custom 21-inchers by Pirelli with ultra-lightweight but beautiful rims. The Battista is tipped to have a 450-kilometre range on a single charge and does 0-100kmph in less than 2 seconds. 0-300kmph is dispatched in under 12 seconds and top speed is restricted to 350kmph. The Battista will be made available through a global network of luxury and performance car retailers soon, but with only 150 being made, be sure to reserve yours soon at INR 30 crores, ex-showroom. Bookings can be made on the company’s website as well.

 

Ferrari F8 Tributo

 

 

Ferrari of course is a name which makes kids and adults drool alike, and the company’s latest creating is the F8 Tributo, a homage to the mid rear-engined car that has defined the company’s philosophy for a long time. It replaces the 488, which likes its illustrious predecessors continued Ferrari’s global dominance in this category. The Tributo’s classic 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 now has 701bhp of power, which enables the Tributo accelerate from 0-100kmph in under 2.9 seconds and go onto a top speed of 340kmph. Incidentally, the same engine won the “Best Engine” award for 3 years in 2016, 17 and 18. Ferrari has revealed the first official photographs of the F8 Tributo, the new mid-rear engined sports car that represents the highest expression of the company’s classic two-seater Berlinetta. The name is an homage to both the model’s uncompromising layout and to the engine that powers it – with a massive 720 cv and a record specific power output of 185 cv/l, it is the most powerful V8 in Prancing Horse history for a non-special series car and sets the benchmark not just for turbos, but for engines across the board. The 3902 cc V8 won “Best Engine” in the International Engine of the Year awards three years running in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and, in addition, in 2018, was awarded the title of the best engine of the last two decades. Naturally, the soundtrack of this engine is music to the ear of many Ferraristas!

 

There is a now a new Lexan® rear screen which shows off the engine compartment and is reminiscent of the company’s legendary F40. The F8 Tributo now has twin rear lights like the F430 and its predecessors, another classic touch. Inside, the classic Ferrari two-seater cockpit utilises masses of leather, alcantara and other classic materials and the interiors now utilise a new generation of HMI (Human machine Interface), with new air-con vents, steering wheel and a 7” passenger touchscreen display. Base prices start at INR 4.5crores at your nearest Ferrari dealer and the first cars will be delivered in January 2020.

 

Mercedes AMG-ONE

 

Although F1 technology has been manifesting itself in road going cars for a long time, it is of late that more and more manufacturers are now bringing this technology more prominently on its road going cars. After all the Hypercars we saw above, can world leaders Mercedes be left far behind? Not at all, and the recently unveiled Mercedes-AMG ONE is proof of the fact that Mercedes takes its racing heritage very seriously. The Mercedes-AMG ONE intends to bring the latest Formula 1 Hybrid technology to a road going car to celebrate AMG’s 50th anniversary. Although the company is tight-lipped over specifics, sources say that this Hypercar will also produce upwards of 1,000bhp – with over 400bhp being contributed by electric motors. This will enable the ONE to have a top speed in excess of 350kmph, with 0-100kmph coming up under 2.5 seconds and a 0-300 kmph time of under 11 seconds. 

 

Interestingly, the engine is a 1.6-litre V6 with a plug-in Hybrid module. Pneumatic valve springs have replaced the conventional mechanical valve springs, which can make this engine rev till 11,000rpm, which is quite unique for a road going car today. Electric motors on the front axle also rev to around 50,000rpm, again a unique achievement today. Sophisticated engine control units specifically developed for the Project ONE help distribute this power for stellar performance. Interestingly, the transmission is a single-clutch automated manual (AMT) as there were reservations about a dual-clutch transmission being able to handle the petrol engine power output! The Mercedes AMG ONE is expected to cost around INR 18 crores in Europe, with all 272 examples having been spoken for.