Pininfarina-Designed Zamboni Ready to Hit the Ice
The Zamboni ice rink resurfacer isn’t the quickest or most glamorous thing on four wheels. In fact, it looks like a giant industrial freezer with brooms underneath, and it never sees the light of day. But it is an essential part of the sport of hockey, keeping the rink clean, surfaced and skateable. The Zamboni was invented by Utah-based business man Frank Zamboni back in 1949.
This slow, bulky ice buggy is the last vehicle we thought could wear a badge from a prestigious designer. However, known design house Pininfarina took the challenge head on with the new Zamboni ZX5 unveiled at FSB 2023 Trade Fair in Cologne, Germany. And it is the first Zamboni to come from an outside design firm.
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On top of designing countless Ferraris, Alfa Romeos and Peugeots and new vehicles from Vietnamese automaker VinFast, Pininfarina has also put its name on household appliances, headphones and many more everyday objects.
In terms of looks, the ZX5 sticks with the original shape of the beast, but with a more modern, polished style. What’s more, the ZX5 is keeping up with the times and will be available first with a battery-electric powertrain housing two 27-horsepower e-motors. The manufacturer says the lithium-ion battery pack has enough range to surface a 20,000-sq-ft rink. In comparison, an NHL-sized rink spans over 17,000 sq ft. The company says a conventional, gas-powered version will also be available eventually.
The unit will come with technologies like an edger and a quick-change blade system and other features co-designed by both companies. The interior - or sitting area – has also been redesigned and its underpinnings have been simplified for easier maintenance.
