Walter De Silva and Pininfarina launch UNICUM

The new programme, launched in Munich, focuses on one-off creations rather than limited series, combining Walter De Silva’s design vision with Pininfarina’s craftsmanship and engineering expertise

Munich, 10 April 2026 – Walter De Silva Automotive has announced the launch of UNICUM, a new bespoke programme dedicated to the creation of one-of-a-kind automobiles in collaboration with Pininfarina. Presented under the claim “Never a Series”, the initiative aims to redefine the concept of exclusivity in the collector car world by moving away from limited editions and embracing the philosophy of true singularity.

Rather than producing small numbered runs, UNICUM will focus on one unique car at a time, conceived as a tailor-made automotive work of art shaped around the story, taste and personal vision of each collector. Developed under the artistic direction of Walter De Silva, the programme seeks to restore the spirit of classic Italian coachbuilding, where every automobile was an individual creation rather than an industrial product.

In a market increasingly defined by ultra-limited series and special editions, Walter De Silva Automotive positions UNICUM as a more radical interpretation of rarity. The concept, according to the company, is rooted not in production numbers but in the unique relationship between collector, designer and coachbuilder, creating a car that exists as a singular object rather than part of a range.

All models developed under the initiative will be created under the DESILVA brand, marking the first time the designer’s name becomes a marque in its own right rather than a signature associated with other automotive brands.

The physical development and manufacturing of each project will be entrusted to Pininfarina, which will bring its longstanding expertise in engineering, prototyping and artisanal craftsmanship to the programme. The cars will be built at the company’s atelier in Cambiano, near Turin, a historic location closely linked to some of the most significant chapters in Italian automotive design.

Paolo Dellachà, Chief Executive Officer of Pininfarina, described the collaboration as a natural meeting point between heritage and innovation.

“Since the 1930s, we have transformed complex visions into unique automobiles. Combining our ability to merge artisanal mastery with advanced technologies and Walter De Silva’s design language is a special opportunity for us. It is a project that perfectly reflects our tradition and our vocation to create beauty designed to endure over time,” he said.

Walter De Silva said the programme is intended to interpret a new idea of luxury, in which elegance, technological sophistication and cultural value converge.

“This is a deeply ambitious project. We want to define a new era of luxury in which beauty and elegance engage with the most advanced technology in perfect harmony. The choice of Pininfarina was natural: we share the same pursuit of purity of lines, precision and artistic ambition,” he said.

According to De Silva, each UNICUM creation is intended to go beyond the conventional idea of a tailor-made car, positioning itself instead as a cultural object capable of leaving a lasting mark on the language of automotive design.

The launch of the new programme was announced during WDS 754, the event celebrating Walter De Silva’s 75th birthday and 54 years in automotive design. Held as both a professional milestone and a personal tribute, the event brought together colleagues, friends and several of the most iconic cars designed throughout his career.

Reflecting on the occasion, De Silva described the creative process as one that remains rooted in drawing and intuition.

“The pencil never stops. It continues to move across the white page. My hand traces the boundary of an idea born in the mind. For me, drawing is a dialogue with those who love automobiles and with those who perceive their beauty even before understanding it,” he said.