Pininfarina Cambiano

The Pininfarina Cambiano was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show under the direction of Fabio Filippini as a concept integrating advanced engineering and sustainable design. The car embodied Pininfarina’s 30th anniversary of its Cambiano “Studi e Ricerche” design center, taking its name from the town where the studio was founded in 1982. Built as a single prototype, the Cambiano represented the intersection of performance, environmental innovation, and Italian design craftsmanship. The vehicle’s structure was based on a carbon-fibre monocoque combined with aluminium subframes. Power was provided by a plug-in hybrid system composed of four in-wheel electric motors, each producing approximately 150 kW, for a total output of around 600 kW (about 804 hp). The system was supplemented by a micro-turbine generator that acted as a range extender, enabling continuous recharging of the lithium-ion battery pack. This setup allowed rear-wheel drive operation and a theoretical range of over 800 km in hybrid mode. The Cambiano measured 5,040 mm in length, 2,000 mm in width, and 1,360 mm in height, with a weight of roughly 1,695 kg. The aerodynamic coefficient was recorded at 0.28. Suspension used independent double wishbones at both ends, while braking was managed through a regenerative system integrated with ventilated discs. The exterior featured clean, sculptural surfaces with a continuous glass canopy and slim LED lighting units. Its asymmetrical three-door layout, with one door on the driver’s side and two on the passenger side, referenced a 1957 Lancia Aurelia designed for Battista Farina, enhancing both access and visual identity. Inside, the Cambiano combined natural wood veneers, recycled leather, and aluminium detailing. A fully digital interface replaced traditional instrumentation, complemented by ambient lighting and modular seating. In 2014, the concept received an Honorable Mention at the Compasso d’Oro ADI awards, recognizing its synthesis of sustainability, innovation, and aesthetic refinement.