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Mahindra eyes bid for next Formula E chassis with Pininfarina link

Mahindra Racing is evaluating bidding to produce the next-generation Formula E chassis after revealing its Pininfarina-designed concepts this week

The Indian manufacturer is trying to drive a debate over how Formula E cars should look from season five, when a new chassis cycle will begin.

The all-electric single-seater series launched a tender process last month for a new single-make chassis supplier, with at least one "futuristic" design part of the criteria.

FE team principal Dilbagh Gill told Autosport the outfit is interested in the tender and that legendary design firm Pininfarina, which the Mahindra Group purchased in December last year, is a key factor in what it chooses to do.

"[Series CEO] Alejandro Agag and [FIA president] Jean Todt are interested to see what we're doing with Pininfarina," said Gill.

"We have considered bidding for the chassis. We have the resources, but we're not a composites organisation so we would have suppliers.

"We'll see how the tender goes. Do we have an official role to play in the design of the car? That's one of the options.

"We might offer our services to whoever wins the tender."

Fabio Filippini, Pininfarina's chief creative officer, hinted in the original reveal of the images the company would like to be engaged in the real-world design.

"A possible contribution of Pininfarina to the future development of a Formula E car would be a highly motivating challenge, fully consistent with our mission of creators and innovators in the automotive field," he said.

Mahindra is pushing for fan feedback on its concept images via the use of #FormulaEConcepts on social media sites Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

It is not the first time it has pushed for more fan engagement on serious FE topics, having recently run a competition to design a Delhi-based street circuit that it used to put suggestions to the FIA.

Gill said the team's proactivity within FE and the company's wider business activities - such as the launch of its new electric vehicle, the e2o, in the UK and acquisitions like Pininfarina - were all part of its "aspiration to grow globally".

"We're still an entry manufacturer but it's not about a big bang," he added.

"As our chairman Anand Mahindra said: everyone knows the story of the tortoise and the hare, and who won."

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