Italdesign GTZero Electric Coupe Pops Up In Geneva

The Italdesign GTZero all electric sports car was presented for the first time in public at the Geneva auto show this week. What is it? That’s an interesting question. First and foremost, it is an electric car with three motors — two and front and one in the rear. Theoretically, with advanced electronic controls, that should give it excellent handling through torque vectoring to all four wheels. It also is said to have a 31o mile range, but by what standard isn’t clear. The European test cycle usually yields results that are about 50% higher than those obtained using the EPA protocols. Let’s call it 200 miles, then.

According to Electric Cars Report, the most significant feature of the car is its modular design, which sounds strikingly similar to what Faraday Future is featuring. The body is made of composite materials and is supported by a solid monocoque carbon frame with aluminium sub-frames. In theory, dimensions can be changed to accommodate different needs. There are reports the car could also be made with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The only thing that cannot be altered is the carbon fiber monocoque chassis. In theory, the battery can be accept an 80% recharge in 30 minutes, but no details have been given about what sort of charger is needed to accomplish that.

The GTZero can accommodate two adults and two children. Because of its wagon design, there is room for luggage in the rear as well as extra cargo capacity up front. On the inside, vehicle functions are controlled by a multitouch interface. Two pads mounted on the back of the steering wheel control the three-level OLED dashboard display with four distinct screens. Two more pads on the front of the steering wheel control lights, turn signals, and windshield wipers.

Elon Musk has ruined us. Because of him, we expect every new car that comes along to blaze to 60 mph in 3 seconds or less. The GTZero has a total of 483 horsepower, which ought to be enough to be entertaining but probably not enough to win any drag races against a Tesla Model S 90D with Ludicrous upgrade.

Just who is Italdesign, exactly, and why are they building concept cars? The firm was created in 1968 by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani. Giugiaro was considered the master automobile designer of the day, penning such icons as the Volkswagen Rabbit, the BMW M1 and the Delorean DMC-12. In 2010, the firm was sold to Lamborghini, which is owned by Audi, which is a division of Volkswagen, which also owns Porsche. Knowing that makes the GTZero a little bit more of an interesting concept, don’t you think?