- Pininfarina has just revealed its newest design project to be none other than the ZX5 Zamboni.
- Yes, that Zamboni. The ice-cleaning one. Initial production of the new resurfacer will feature a lithium-ion-powered electric powertrain.
- Currently, Zamboni (the company) offers gasoline and electric powertrains for its ice resurfacers (Zambonis).
In a lateral move away from its usual high-end automotive designs of vehicles like the Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari Enzo, or Lancia 037, the Italian design house Pininfarina just announced its newest design: the ZX5 Zamboni. Yep, that's correct. Pininfarina and Zamboni paired up for the creation. Why would Pininfarina choose to design a Zamboni? As the Great One once said, "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take."
Italian-Designed Zamboni
If you've ever seen Happy Gilmore, or perhaps spent time of your own at an ice rink, you certainly know what an ice resurfacer looks like. Much like Band-Aid or Google, Frank Zamboni's creation became ubiquitous with the product and now everyone refers to ice resurfacers as Zambonis.
When the winter-sports brand decided it was time to produce a new-generation Zamboni, it partnered with the Italian design house Pininfarina. The initial production of the ZX5 will feature a lithium-ion-powered electric powertrain. The dual-propulsion motors for the ZX5 combine to produce a meager 27 horsepower.
Pininfarina's design is a more modern take on what is basically still a box on wheels, but the addition of lights at the front helps liven up the look. According to Zamboni, the new resurfacer features new tech to reduce inconsistency between operators, as well as save time, labor, and water. There's also a newly optional onboard edger and quick-blade-change system, which the company says improves safety.
The ZX5 is the first Zamboni product to be designed by a third-party outfit, and with Frank Zamboni emigrating from Italy, Pininfarina was a fitting choice. We're not as up to speed with the ice-resurfacing world as we are with the automobile industry, but we do think this thing looks pretty badass.
Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.
