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Even as it continues its deliveries of its limited edition Battista hyper GT, Automobili Pininfarina is now expanding the variety (and exclusivity) of its all-electric hypercar model while continuing to honor its rich Italian history. During the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the hyper EV developer will unveil a new, ultraexclusive version of the Battista called the Edizione Nino Farina – named after a family member crowned the first-ever Formula 1 champion.

Automobili Pininfarina GmbH is a Munich-based subsidiary of Indian automotive manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra, who purchased the car-design firm Pininfarina SpA in 2015. Although it is currently a German/Indian company, the automaker’s roots remain deeply ingrained in Italian culture and stem from its origins as Carrozzeria Pininfarina, founded in 1930 by Battista “Pinin” Farina.

The reborn supercar developer did a burnout into relevance in 2018 with the debut of the Battista hyper GT at Monterey Car Week. However, it would take four years before we finally saw the EV named honoring its founder reach series production – and a mere 150 units at that.

Each Battista hyper GT requires 10 weeks to assemble and up to 1,340 hours of handcrafting to deliver one of 128 million possible design configurations to customers, a reason why each Battista is truly one of a kind and why a single EV costs $2.5 million.

As if that wasn’t exclusive enough, Automobili Pininfarina introduced the Battista Anniversario in 2021 – offering the same record-setting performance as the regular old Battista hyper GT but with custom wheels and an exterior painted by hand. Only five of these were made and have already been spoken for. One of which was delivered to a US customer this past fall.

With Battista deliveries taking place around the globe, Automobili Pininfarina is introducing a new limited-edition version, designed as another nod to the Italian racing family that started it all. Meet the Battista Edizione Nino Farina.

Pininfarina’s latest spin on the Battista is a rare Hyper GT

The automaker shared details of its latest hyper GT this afternoon, ahead of its official reveal at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this week, where it will be driven by former F1 driver and hill-climb champion Nick Heidfeld.

The hyper GT is named after Nino Farina – nephew of Battista “Pinin” Farina and the first-ever F1 world champion in 1950. The company shared that Battista took his 16-year-old nephew to his first-ever race as a passenger, igniting the young man’s flame motor sport competition that would span decades after. Automobili Pininfarina‘s chief design officer, Dave Amantea, spoke to the heritage that went into such a futuristic EV:

This exclusive model pays homage to Nino Farina’s courageous and fearless persona, and his incredible achievements in motorsport. It is our tribute to a family dynasty – to the man who will forever be known as the first driver ever to be crowned a Formula One World Champion and to our founder, the man responsible for igniting his passion for racing.

Each vehicle is a tribute to Nino’s unrivaled history and each one represents a unique moment in his life, which was truly remarkable. We have taken inspiration from these moments to create a vehicle that would be the centre piece of any collection. Its signature Rosso Nino body color has been chosen to evoke memories of the Italian racing red paintwork of the cars in which he enjoyed his greatest victories, while key finishes and design cues sit seamlessly with Battista’s unmistakable design.

The exterior color is a bespoke deep red called “Rosso Nino” – a tribute to the vehicles Nino Farina drove during his race career. The lower body is finished in “Bianco Sestriere” and “Iconica Blu.”

As you can see in the images above, the interior features a bespoke two-tone theme, featuring black and beige (sustainable) leather and Rosso Nino on the back. You’ll also notice Iconica Blu seat belts and an exposed carbon steering wheel featuring Farina’s etched signature.

Like its Battista siblings, the Edizione Nino Farina delivers hyper GT performance, thanks to a 120 kWh lithium ion battery, four independent electric motors, and full torque vectoring. Here are some of its specs – many of which were previously world records until the Rimac Nevera came out to play:

  • 0-60 mph in 1.79s
  • 0-100km/h in 1.86s
  • 0-120mph in 4.49s
  • 0-200 km/h in 4.79 seconds.
  • 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) 
  • 2,340 Nm of torque  
  • Up to 476 km range (296 miles WLTP combined, 300 miles EPA)
  • Five dynamic driving modes: Calma, Pura, Energica, Furiosa and Carattere

Like the Battista Anniversario, Automobili Pininfarina says production of the new Edizione Nino Farina hyper GT will be limited to just five units. Each EV will feature an aluminum door plate, marking one of five career landmarks in Nino’s motor sport tenure:

  • Nino’s date and place of birth (1906 in Turin) 
  • First-ever F1 pole position and race victory at the 1950 British Grand Prix 
  • Nino’s second victory in 1950 at the Swiss Grand Prix 
  • The third and final victory in 1950, at the Italian Grand Prix 
  • 1950 F1 world championship victory  

No mention of price yet, but considering the Anniversarios went for at least $3 million a piece, we’d expect the latest limited edition hyper GT to sell for that – if not more. Keep an eye out for the new Battista Edizione Nino Farina at Goodwood July 13-16. Hoping to catch some video of it in action.

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HappyRun G300 Pro review: It’s an electric motorcycle with pedals and I’ve got some thoughts

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HappyRun G300 Pro review: It's an electric motorcycle with pedals and I've got some thoughts

The HappyRun G300 Pro is the epitome of an out-of-class electric bike. That is to say, it has many of the components of an electric bicycle, key among them the functional pedals, but its extremely high power and speed place it well outside the limits of traditional e-bike classifications. The result? Basically, an electric motorcycle with pedals. And I’ve got some thoughts about that.

But before I dive into those, this is one of those rides that you’ll want to see in action. Check out my review video below. Then keep reading for the full details.

HappyRun G300 Pro Video Review

HappyRun G300 Pro Tech Specs

  • Motor: 3,000W continuous and 6,500W peak-rated rear hub motor
  • Top speed: Up to 50 mph (80 km/h)
  • Range: Claimed up to 70 miles (121 km)
  • Battery: 72V 30Ah (2,160 Wh)
  • Weight: Heavy (well off the scale on my 100 lb scale)
  • Brakes: Quad-piston DYISLAND hydraulic disc brakes
  • Front suspension: inverted front fork
  • Rear suspension: “Yopi Box” rear spring suspension
  • Extras: Looks like a Sur Ron or Talaria-style bike, color LED display, included fenders, LED headlight and tail light with turn signals, very nice kickstand, two color options available.

What is this even for?

Despite looking like a bicycle in some regards, I definitely felt wrong using this in the bike lane. That meant for 95% of my road riding, I was simply in the lane like a motorbike. The only times I would use the bike lane were when I could see it was completely empty, and it was basically just a shortcut past the stopped traffic at red lights. And even then, it just didn’t sit right with me. I’m an e-biker and I live a car free life, so the safety of bike lanes is an important issue for me. I’m not going to jeopardize other riders or even make them feel unsafe in the tiny little sliver of asphalt that is supposed to feel like home for us, and so I ride this thing in the road when I’m on the road.

That being said, I don’t even think the road is the right place for this bike. Where it really shines is off-road. Between the long travel suspension, the enduro-style seat, and the unnecessarily high power for commuting purposes, the HappyRun G300 Pro is at home in the dirt and on the trails. In fact, I even enjoyed overlanding on it, going places where trails couldn’t take me. It felt like a great exploring-the-outdoors type of ride!

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If you watch my video above, you’ll see that this type of riding, recreational and exploring, is where the HappyRun G300 Pro really came into its own, and I think that’s precisely where it belongs. Just like how Sur Rons and Talarias shouldn’t really be taking over the streets, but instead should stick to the dirt trails they excel at, this is a great bike for that purpose. You’ll also notice in the video that I prefer to wear my motorcycle gear when I ride these types of bikes, and I’d make that recommendation to anyone else. A t-shirt and a bike helmet just don’t feel like enough here.

With that in mind, the included bicycle pedals start to seem superfluous though, and I really only pedaled at slow speeds, or when ghost pedaling because a cop was in the area and I didn’t want to get a bike impounded before I was even done reviewing it. So if you ask me, it doesn’t really need the pedals, and it doesn’t even really need the roads.

What about the build?

The HappyRun G300 Pro is an interesting mix of quality parts and merely acceptable parts. Nothing about it seemed terrible or dangerous, and a few components like the Sur Ron kickstand actually impressed me. But then the use of a bicycle-level handlebar stem and budget-level shocks seems to undercut that message.

On the other hand, the massive 72V 30Ah battery is huge and likely more than most people would need. I’d have preferred to see it being UL-listed, but I guess at least it claims to be underwritten by some Chinese insurance agency. I guess that’s better than nothing?

The geometry actually kind of sticks the landing, at least for me and my 170 cm (5’7″) height. The saddle is plenty comfortable, though my off-roading had me out of the saddle much of the time anyway and letting my legs join the full-suspension to better absorb the terrain.

What’s my verdict?

Here’s the thing: nothing about this bike is top shelf, but it still offers an incredibly fun, solid feeling ride. The power is more than most people need, the speed is faster than most people should ride (especially on trails), and the battery has more capacity than most people would require. So it’s not like they’re cutting corners on performance.

Some components could have been beefed up, and the decision to lean more towards bicycle-level components does make me question what a few years of hard off-road riding could do to this bike. But when used correctly, in an area where the bike is meant to be used (i.e., not where it legally isn’t allowed to be ridden), then it seems to fulfill the role of a fun adventure-style bike. At a price of $2,599 (or $100 off with the code ELECTREK), it significantly undercuts the cost of a Sur Ron or Talaria bike while giving a similar type of ride, even if the components don’t live up to the level of those costlier light electric dirt bikes.

My biggest worry, though, isn’t about the bike, but rather the potential for it to be misused. Look, it’s a fun ride and offered me more performance than I needed for all the different types of riding I tested it with. But like any bike, it has to be used in its element. We don’t blame the hammer if someone hits their thumb while driving a nail, and we shouldn’t blame the bike if someone wraps it around a parking meter. But it also really shouldn’t be used in that kind of environment, and it definitely shouldn’t be used in a way that could put others at risk.

It’s a fun ride for exploring, but this level of power requires some serious personal responsibility. If you’re a parent wondering if you should get this for your 16-year-old, the answer is probably “No.” But if you’ve got a fully developed prefrontal cortex and you want a fast and powerful ride without breaking the bank, this might be a decent option.

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Toyota breaks ground on the first independent Lexus EV plant in China

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Toyota breaks ground on the first independent Lexus EV plant in China

Toyota is finally getting into the game in the world’s largest EV market. On Friday, Toyota officially broke ground on the new Lexus EV plant in Shanghai, its first fully owned manufacturing facility in China and the second in the region, following Tesla.

Toyota is building a new Lexus EV plant in China

After officially announcing it would open a wholly-owned EV plant in China to build new energy vehicles (NEVs) for its luxury Lexus brand in February, Toyota is already kicking off construction.

Toyota finalized a deal with the Shanghai government on April 22 to build the facility. Just over two months later, the company is making swift progress in what’s being called “Lexus speed” locally.

The facility, which spans roughly 1.13 million square meters, could be one of Toyota’s most important to date. Following Tesla, which broke ground on its Shanghai Gigafactory in early 2019, Toyota is the second foreign automaker to construct a wholly owned auto plant in Shanghai.

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Construction is expected to be completed in August 2026, with production set to commence in 2027. According to local news outlet The Paper, the facility will be capable of producing up to 100,000 NEVs annually.

Toyota-Lexus-EV-plant
Lexus ES electric sedan prototype (Source: Toyota)

Although Toyota will use the new standalone Lexus plant to accelerate EV output, it will also be used to develop vehicles tailored to local buyers.

Since the plant is overseas in Shanghai Bay Area Hi-Tech Zone, Toyota established a “two-line collaboration,” which will enable “24-hour uninterrupted work.”

Toyota-Lexus-EV-plant
Toyota bZ3X electric SUV (Source: Toyota)

The first Lexus electric vehicle is scheduled to roll off the assembly line in 2027. Much like for Tesla, local authorities are providing generous support.

For example, the Jinshan District Investment Promotion Office introduced an “order-based” business agreement, addressing Toyota’s “demand list” in advance.

Electrek’s Take

Toyota will use the new Lexus plant as it looks to keep pace with BYD and other domestic EV leaders in China. After launching several new vehicles over the past few months, the Japanese automaker is already starting to gain some traction.

After launching the bZ3X in March, Toyota’s electric SUV was the best-selling foreign EV in China in April, its second month on the market.

Toyota’s electric SUV already outsold the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4 Crozz, and BMW i3. The bZ3X is Toyota’s most affordable EV, launched in China with a starting price tag of just 109,800 yuan, or about $15,000.

Earlier this month, Toyota launched another electric SUV, the bZ5. The bZ5 is about the size of Tesla’s Model Y, but costs about half as much in China, starting at 129,800 yuan ($18,000).

These electric SUVs are significantly more advanced and feature-rich than the Toyota vehicles we’re accustomed to seeing. They feature advanced smart driving tech, massive touchscreens, and some added bonuses like a built-in refrigerator.

During its EV Tech Day event earlier this month, Toyota’s joint venture, GAC Toyota, announced partnerships with several “car industry bigwigs,” including Huawei, Xiaomi, and Momenta.

Can Toyota keep pace in China with an intensifying EV price war and influx of new low-cost domestic rivals? So far, the new vehicles are helping.

In April, Toyota’s sales in China increased by 20% compared to the same period last year, with 142,754 vehicles sold. Through May, Toyota’s sales are up 7.7% with 530,000 vehicles sold.

Source: The Paper

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Tesla hires Head of Autonomy from GM’s failed self-driving startup

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Tesla hires Head of Autonomy from GM's failed self-driving startup

Tesla has hired Henry Kuang, the former ‘Head of Autonomy’ at GM’s failed self-driving startup, Cruise.

The automaker has had difficulties with turnover in its Autopilot and self-driving division.

Tesla has lost many leaders over the years and the departures have ramped up as of late. Here’s a list of Tesla leaders related to Autopilot and self-driving efforts who have left the company:

Name Role Departure
Sterling Anderson Head of Autopilot Jan 2016
Chris Lattner VP, Autopilot Software Jun 2017
Jim Keller VP, Autopilot Hardware Apr 2018
Andrej Karpathy Dir. AI & Autopilot Vision Jul 2022
Zheng Gao Dir. Autopilot Hardware Dec 2024
Marc Van Impe Global Vehicle Automation & Safety Policy –2024
Drew Baglino SVP Powertrain & Energy Engineering Apr 15, 2024
David Lau VP, Software Engineering Early Apr 2025
Milan Kovac VP, Optimus Engineering (ex-Autopilot engineer) Jun 6, 2025
Omead Afshar Senior Executive (AI/Robotics/Roadmap) Late Jun 2025

Meanwhile, there haven’t been many high-profile hires as Tesla prefers to hire younger, more junior engineers and promote within.

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Amidst brand damage in recent years, Tesla has also faced more difficulties securing top hires. A recent leaked recording from a Tesla training session confirmed that the automaker has had a culture problem within its workforce.

However, Electrek has found a rare new executive-level hire in Tesla’s self-driving division.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Henry Kuang has been hired by Tesla as “Director of AI and Deep Learning for Autonomous Driving.”

Kuang was a long-time Facebook engineer who joined Cruise in 2020 to lead the perception team and later became Senior Director in charge of Autonomy:

Cruise was founded in 2013 to develop self-driving technology. It was acquired by GM in 2016. It operated its own self-driving fleet independently of GM, but it also contributed to the development of the automaker’s ADAS system.

A series of accidents and failures in 2023 led the company to withdraw its fleet of over 100 self-driving vehicles from the road.

They have tried to bring back their autonomous ride-hailing service in California, but GM announced that it would stop funding the company in December and commenced a restructuring to entirely discontinue autonomous fleet operations and fold some of Cruise into GM’s ADAS operations for consumer vehicles.

Kuang has reportedly exited Cruise in 2024 and now joined Tesla last month, according to an update on his LInkedIn profile.

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