As a partner with the car industry Pininfarina understands the need to find more effective and economic solutions to achieve even more rigorous environmental and emission goals. This Demo emphasises the engineering know-how acquired by Pininfarina during many years of research focused on concrete projects, especially development of hybrid and electric powered vehicles. In fact it has an ultra-efficient modular structure based on an aluminium space frame and use of composite materials, such as carbon fibre and aramid fibre honeycomb.

What are the advantages of this solution? The possibility to design low production volume vehicles requiring low investment, to make vehicles lighter and achieve a very high dynamic rigidity for optimum handling and comfort. This lightweight structure also means lower energy capacity batteries can be used that, therefore, are not as heavy and costly but still guarantee the same performance.

A further advantage of the frame structure is that it is extremely modular and so is the ideal platform for developing a full range of electric vehicles (2-seater, 2+2, pick-up, van). But not only this. This structure also allows a flexible integration of different batteries and electric power units. As evidence of this platform's modularity also in terms of drive, the Demo on show in Shanghai is equipped with a driveline (Asia is the target market for this) including a recharging system. But alongside this there is also a Demo equipped with the innovative Magneti Marelli engine and relative Oerlikon Graziano coupled transfer case.

Based on the concept of using the "right material in the right place", the central floorpan and fireproofing are produced using a composite multistrata carbon material reinforced with an aramid fibre-based honeycomb. The result is really high performance components in terms of static and dynamic rigidity, energy absorption in the event of crashes, acoustic insulation and outstanding fireproofing. Moreover, this solution also simplifies body assembly given that it reduces the number of parts and also further improves quality. In the upper section of the car, for instance, composite material technology means that the roof can be produced as a single component, optimising performance in terms of local rigidity thanks to the honeycomb reinforcement. And in turn this increases safety as it ensures greater protection for passengers. This also contributes to lowering the car's centre of gravity with consequent benefits in terms of vehicle handling. For the development and manufacture of carbon components Pininfarina used Dassault Systèmes Catia solutions for composite and Simulia solutions for stress analysis.

The Demo, which ideally will be rechargeable at an A2A column on public land, is part of the Pininfarina Cambiano (Turin) Style and Engineering Centre's Nido Development Programme. Nido EV - a small city car (length 2905mm) with 2 seats and a permanent magneto rear engine - is the result of a pioneering, far-sighted decision taken by Pininfarina three years ago to focus on various forms of sustainable mobility. Not only by adopting a hybrid or electric driveline but also by concentrating on research to reduce consumption and emissions, use of alternative lighter and recyclable materials, active and passive safety, infomatics, which should enable use of sustainable means of transport coupled with intelligent traffic management.

Pininfarina intends to be the Italian - and not only Italian - benchmark for sustainable mobility, just as it has been the global benchmark for style for more than 80 years. It has always invested in R & D programmes to tackle problems arising in the car industry in a rapid and methodical manner.

During the energy crisis in the 1970s for instance, the industry focused on aerodynamics and alternative energy sources to reduce fuel consumption. Pininfarina responded by developing the CNR Energetica 1 prototype that had the ideal aerodynamic-shaped body. The Ecos, which was Pininfarina's first electric car, dates from that period too, showing that the Group was a leader as regards issues that the car industry has only begun to address in recent years. In the 1980s Pininfarina research focusing on lightweight materials led to the construction of the Audi Quartz and Lancia Hit prototypes that explored use of new and lighter metallic and composite materials. The 1990s were marked by a much greater awareness of environmental problems, increased research in the fields of recyclable materials and ergonomics, a more efficient concept of “packaging” the vehicle. Pininfarina proposed new solutions with the Ethos macro-project, a 3-car family with an aluminium frame, recyclable resin body and an innovative combustion engine with reduced emissions, a project that culminated in 1995 with another car, the zero-emission Ethos 3EV. More recently Pininfarina has focused on research into hybrid vehicles with the Eta Beta and Metrocubo projects that thanks to their smaller and modular cabins also provide an answer to the problems of driving in town and on medium hauls. Instead with the 2004 Nido, Pininfarina again addressed the issue of safety that it had touched on with the Sigma, Alfa Romeo P33 and Sigma Grand Prix prototypes, whereas in 2008 with Sintesi it proposed a futuristic concept for a car powered by fuel cells.

During the last few years, faced with a new global crisis and the need to limit emissions and consumption, there has been a significant increase in opportunities linked to zero-emission urban mobility. Throughout the world there is growing concern for the environment and Pininfarina was the first industrial concern in Italy, and one of the first in Europe, to launch the concept of a 100% electric car, the BlueCar developed in collaboration with the  Bolloré Group. Pininfarina is now a flag-bearer for a philosophy in which the choice of individual and collective electric transport is part of a new lifestyle that everyone should adopt to encourage energy saving and, at the same time, to safeguard the planet. This is why sustainable mobility has become one of the cornerstones of the Group's business. And it also explains why, in parallel with the BlueCar, the Group has decided to launch the new Nido EV project.