Quintessenza EV Features Astounding 2,145 hp, Reaches 0-62 mph in 2.5 Seconds

The Quintessenza, a dynamic and versatile electric vehicle, was previewed at CES 2025, showcasing innovative high-performance in-wheel motors. Developed by the Italian design firm Italdesign, the vehicle features Elaphe’s Sonic 1 in-wheel motors from Slovenia, which are integrated into all four wheels for superior performance.

The Quintessenza is powered by a robust 150-kWh battery pack and boasts an impressive 2,145 horsepower (1,600 kW) from its four electric motors. This remarkable power enables the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds, placing it in the realm of ultra-high-performance electric vehicles.

Combining the elegance of a Grand Tourer (GT) with the practicality of a pickup truck, the Quintessenza offers a unique blend of style and utility. Its adjustable suspension allows for a ground clearance range from 7.9 to 11 inches, making it adaptable to various driving conditions. Additionally, a front splitter adjusts automatically at higher speeds to improve stability, enhancing both performance and safety.

“Quintessenza is primarily a concept car, serving as our business card to showcase the capabilities of digital design. While it’s not our immediate goal to bring Quintessenza to market, we are open to discussions if there’s significant interest in producing such a vehicle. However, our main objective is to demonstrate what’s possible with our technology and design expertise,” Luka Buono, Press & PR Officer at Italdesign, told Interesting Engineering.

Italdesign’s Quintessenza reimagines vehicle design by merging the performance of a Grand Tourer (GT) with the practicality of a pickup truck, creating a balance of style and functionality. The front of the vehicle exudes the sleek, sporty characteristics of an Italian GT, while the rear emphasizes versatility, offering both off-road capability and load-carrying potential. The design integrates aerodynamic elements seamlessly, including an active front splitter that adjusts at high speeds to enhance stability and optimize performance.

Inside, the Quintessenza presents a modern, user-focused cabin with clean lines and hidden controls, maintaining a minimalist and futuristic aesthetic. A floating dashboard adds to the vehicle’s cutting-edge appeal. The interior’s functionality is elevated with a smartphone app that allows users to control various aspects of the vehicle, such as lighting, scents, and infotainment—creating a personalized, high-tech experience.

Sustainability plays a central role in the design of the Quintessenza, with Italdesign prioritizing the use of natural and recycled materials. The vehicle incorporates linen fiber fenders, water-based paint, and recycled rubber floors, promoting environmental responsibility while maintaining a sleek aesthetic. To further elevate its visual appeal, marble-powder textiles are used throughout the interior, while fluid lighting shapes add a touch of futuristic sophistication.

The name “Quintessenza” was chosen to reflect the car’s profound connection to nature, symbolizing the fifth element alongside fire, water, air, and earth. According to Luka Buono of Italdesign, this connection underscores the company’s commitment to designing a vehicle that harmonizes seamlessly with the natural world.

A standout feature of the Quintessenza is its rotating rear seats, which can swivel 180 degrees to create an ideal setting for open-air stargazing or camping experiences, especially when paired with the removable hard top. The vehicle also includes innovative elements such as scissor doors, dynamic aerodynamics, and customizable interfaces, all contributing to its advanced design and user-centric functionality.

Innovative In-Wheel Propulsion

Italdesign has partnered with Elaphe, a leader in in-wheel motor technology, to integrate cutting-edge propulsion into the Quintessenza. The vehicle features a quad-motor in-wheel system powered by Elaphe’s Sonic 1 technology, offering unparalleled power density. This advanced, scalable system is designed to fit 24-inch rims and nearly triples the power output of the original three-motor setup, resulting in a substantial boost to the vehicle’s performance.

In the Quintessenza, each wheel is powered by its own electric motor, allowing for direct drive without the need for traditional gears. This setup not only enhances efficiency but also supports high-performance braking systems integrated directly within the wheels. While in-wheel motors have been around for two decades, Elaphe has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by incorporating high-performance brakes within the front wheels and making the system supercar-ready, a feat that has not been accomplished before in such high-performance vehicles.

“We are the first to achieve this, and our technology is scalable. For instance, in the rear wheels, each motor delivers 500 kilowatts—half a megawatt of power—and 6,000 newton meters of torque, which surpasses many supercars currently on the market. The front wheels each have 300 kilowatts and 2,500 newton meters of torque,” Luka Ambrozic, CCO at Elaphe, told IE.

The Quintessenza is designed to effortlessly transition between off-road and sporty on-road driving thanks to its advanced high-precision individual wheel control. This capability is made possible by Elaphe’s in-wheel motors, which provide 20 times faster control compared to previous systems. This enhanced responsiveness improves traction, energy regeneration, cornering stability, and overall driving engagement, making the Quintessenza both versatile and thrilling to drive in various conditions.

As Italdesign finalizes its 2025 event plans, the company aims to focus on presenting the Quintessenza and showcasing its groundbreaking innovations. Based on the reception and interest the vehicle receives, Italdesign is open to exploring potential further developments and collaborations. The company’s goal is to gauge the level of enthusiasm for the Quintessenza and determine whether there is sufficient demand to move forward with production or additional partnerships in the future.

“Our primary target is OEMs and automotive companies that might be interested in our complete vehicle package or specific aspects of Quintessence. Whether it’s the advanced in-wheel motor technology or the unique design elements, we can integrate these features into other vehicles as needed,” Buono told IE.