Fabled Italian design house Pininfarina isn’t done working with the Hong Kong-based electric car startup Hybrid Kinetic, despite having shown off no less than three concept cars commissioned by the nascent marque. The latest model is a fastback saloon that has a profile that isn’t unlike things like the Porsche Panamera (or Mission E, for that matter) and the Tesla Model S, and the upcoming Lucid Air.
The Pininfarina HK GT is most notable for its gullwing doors, of which there are only two. Ingress and egress is naturally aided, sure, but it also provides an unbroken window line and no fussy B pillar in the middle. This is the first time we’re able to peek into the cabin, and see the GT’s four seats.
Precious few details were offered with the teaser, sans the fact that the HK GT will be motivated by “the cutting edge HK powertrain technology,” which marries a regular electric powertrain made up of batteries, motors, and a controller ‘brain,’ but interestingly, they also mention a range extender.
Range extender electric vehicles are pretty rare. The BMW i3 and Karma Revero come immediately to mind, but little else. The range-extender electric vehicle is characterised by a full electric powertrain mated to a motor (usually mounted up front) which has the sole purpose of acting as a generator when the battery is depleted. REEVs can also be charged from the mains like a conventional electric car, so the engine should be considered as a ‘backup plan’ or for occasional use only.
It’ll be interesting to see what other interesting innovations the HK GT hides beneath its form when it debuts at the Geneva motor show, which is set to open its doors very soon. Be sure to stay tuned to CarShowroom as we bring you more updates as they come.
