Italdesign Quintessenza Was Easily the Coolest Car, or Truck, Shown at CES

Among the cars and concepts that were on display at CES 2025 in Las Vegas last week was a stunner from Italy that might be the ultimate expression of a crossover. We’re talking about the Italdesign Quintessenza, which made its second appearance on U.S. soil following a debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California last summer.

Slightly shorter than a Tesla Cybertruck and lower than a Model Y, the Quintessenza is the go-anywhere toy you never knew you wanted until now. It starts as an exotic sports coupe with signature scissor doors and gigantic 24-inch wheels, only the latter are wrapped in all-terrain tires and attached to an adjustable suspension that can increase ground clearance up to 11 inches (280 mm).

Photo: Italdesign

But wait, it gets even better. The large, partially glazed hard top that covers the rear trunk is completely removable in one piece and can be replaced by a soft top if desired. Alternatively, it creates an open cargo bed in pickup fashion.

No need to haul cargo? The rear end also has a large, electrically powered tailgate hinged to the base of the bumper, giving easy access to the bed and the two rear seats, which can be rotated 180 degree to provide a rear-facing panoramic view for a premium “stargazing” experience. 

Photo: Italdesign

As for the front-seat quarters, the abundance of space and massive greenhouse would make claustrophobic people really happy. The only controls are those on the floating centre console and the hazard light button on the extremely minimalist dashboard.

Meanwhile, the instrument cluster is a small, smartphone-like display sitting atop the steering column, unobstructed by the yoke-style steering wheel. A second display covers an ultra-wide area at the base of the windshield, showing more information and content.

Photo: Italdesign

At CES, Italdesign announced a partnership with Slovenian company Elaphe to integrate its advanced propulsion architecture into the Quintessenza concept. Next-generation in-wheel motors—there are four of them—combine to generate up to 2,145 horsepower and allow 0-100 km/h acceleration in less than 2.5 seconds. Interestingly, Vibroacoustic technology controls motor vibrations and transfers them to the vehicle’s structure to produce authentic motor sounds and vibrations, generating sound inside and outside the cabin without conventional speakers.

The company did not mention weight. However, we know that a 150kWh battery feeds the motors. It is said to deliver an estimated 750 km of range, a figure that’s likely based on the WLTP test cycle used in Europe.

Photo: Italdesign

No one should expect a concept like the Quintessenza to get the green light—Italdesign would first have to find an OEM partner to build it—but considering the company is owned by Lamborghini and Audi, we’d love to see a successor to the off-road-ready Huracán Sterrato. Maybe after Lamborghini launches its first electric car, based on the Lanzador concept, by the end of the decade. Who knows?

Watch: Lamborghini's Head of Design Introduces Lanzador Concept

Share on Facebook

More on the subject

NewsNissan GT-R50 by Italdesign: Production Confirmed!
The Japanese automaker has just confirmed that the GT-R50 by Italdesign—which boasts bodywork penned by the Italian design firm—will be produced in limited quantity. As a matter of fact, only 50 units of the supercar will be sold for global consumption, and Nissan promises that the body is practically unchanged …
NewsVolkswagen Group takes majority shareholding in Italdesign Giugiaro
- Volkswagen takes 90.1 percent stake in internationally renowned design and development services company - Expansion of capacity and competence for global model initiative - Volkswagen Board of Management Chairman Winterkorn: “New era in strategic partnership between these two companies” Wolfsburg/Turin, 25 May 2010 - The Volkswagen Group and Italdesign …
CESThree New Car Tech Debuts From CES 2025 You Need to Know About
The 2025 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is in full swing. We’ve already covered Honda’s new electric prototypes and BMW’s next-gen Panoramic Drive system, but there’s a lot more to see and report about including some cutting-edge tech features and gadgets for today’s and tomorrow’s …
CESHonda Unveils 0 Saloon and 0 SUV Prototypes at CES 2025
Just like it did last year, Honda came to CES in Las Vegas this week to host the world premiere of two prototypes previewing the Japanese automaker’s new 0 Series line of battery-electric vehicles. The first production models will launch in North America next year followed by global markets. The …