Venturi, high technology made in Monaco – Interview with Gildo Pallanca Pastor, Chairman and founder of Venturi

For twenty-five years, Gildo Pallanca Pastor has made Venturi a symbol of Monegasque innovation. This specialist automotive design company has numerous sporting and technological accomplishments to its name, and pushes back the boundaries every year, to the point where it is now involved in forthcoming space exploration projects. We meet the man in charge, one of the pioneers of the electric car... and a specialist in extreme conditions.

Venturi was born and bred in Monaco, a place with a passion for innovation. How has the Monegasque environment been an asset for your development and international reputation?

Gildo Pallanca Pastor: Prince Albert II has always supported innovation and clean technologies. Naturally, as a Monegasque and an entrepreneur, I was inspired and driven by his policies and vision.

Monaco is also focused on the future. What role is Venturi playing in this ambition?

G. P. P.: We are proud to be one of Monaco’s technology ambassadors. Our projects, from world records to lunar vehicles, are fully aligned with this commitment to excellence and innovation.

21 years ago, Venturi led the way in electric vehicles. How do you approach research and development to push back the boundaries?

G. P. P.: Innovation at Venturi is based on a long-term vision. For over 20 years, I’ve been investing in research and development with a simple objective: to go beyond the known limits of electric mobility, whether in terms of performance, range or adaptation to extreme environments. Let’s not forget that the Venturi Fétish was the first 100% electric sports car! We unveiled it in 2004, and it was a real risk for us. At the time, almost nobody believed in the electric motor, whereas now, this technology is well and truly established. We have contributed to developing the sector, and I’m very proud of that.

How did you feel when you saw Venturi Formula E cars racing around the Monaco circuit at the E-Prix a few years later?

G. P. P.: It was a very special feeling. I’ve known the E-Prix circuit like the back of my hand since I was a child. So to see our single-seaters hurtling around the streets of my town, in my country, at 200 kph was an incredible moment. My fondest memory remains when Felipe Massa took third place in 2019.

Venturi holds several world records for electric performance. What achievement are you most proud of, and what are your next challenges?

G. P. P.: It’s hard to choose, but as a Monegasque, my heart says the Antarctica, a project that exists thanks to our Sovereign. In 2009, he told me that there were no zero-emission vehicles available for the scientists in Antarctica. As environmental protection is a priority for the Prince, we set to work. After producing a number of prototypes, we came up with a version capable of withstanding conditions at the South Pole without needing maintenance, over the long term. Seeing the Antarctica in service at the Princess Elisabeth Station, which runs exclusively on renewable energy, is a source of immense pride. As for our next challenges... the Moon, then Mars. From early 2026, our technologies will be used for lunar exploration. It doesn’t feel real!

Beyond records, what message are you seeking to convey with a project like the Antarctica?

G. P. P.: The Antarctica is a symbol. It proves that it is possible to reconcile innovation, performance and respect for the environment, even in the most extreme conditions. It’s a message of hope: that we can do better – do things differently.

How is Venturi meeting these technological and human challenges?

G. P. P.: With passion! Each project is an opportunity to push back our limits. While the Antarctica required unprecedented solutions to cope with the extreme cold, the Moon represents a different challenge: withstanding temperatures that can vary by as much as 400°C! Our accumulated experience enables us to innovate constantly.

Can you tell us more about your involvement in lunar and Martian mobility?

G. P. P.: Venturi Space started with a bold idea: to apply our expertise in electric mobility to the extreme environments of space. After 20 years of proving our capabilities on Earth, we said to ourselves: "Why not the Moon? Our partnership with Venturi Astrolab, Inc. to develop the FLIP and FLEX rovers is a major step forward. Our hyperdeformable wheels and high-performance batteries are essential to the success of these missions.

The lunar rover you are developing in partnership with Venturi Astrolab will be launched in 2027. What are the main technical challenges linked to wheels and batteries?

G. P. P.: The conditions on the Moon are extreme. We need to design materials capable of withstanding temperatures ranging from -240°C to +130°C without losing performance. Our wheels have to avoid sinking into the regolith, absorb ground irregularities, offer optimum grip, support a weight of 2 tonnes and withstand a speed of 15 km/h. As for the batteries, they have to guarantee sufficient autonomy despite the violent temperature variations and, above all, get through the long 14-day lunar nights at average temperatures of around -180°C. We have developed solutions to maintain a stable cell temperature and maximise energy efficiency.

How can technologies developed for space be applied on Earth?

G. P. P.: Innovation in space has always had terrestrial impact. Our hyper-deformable wheels could improve off-road vehicles, particularly in deserts or polar regions. Our batteries, which are resistant to extreme temperature cycles, could also enhance the range and robustness of electric vehicles. By innovating for space, we are preparing tangible, sustainable solutions for Earth.

Venturi has always pushed back the boundaries of innovation. What is your vision for the next 20 years?

G. P. P.: Continuing to explore extreme environments with cutting-edge electrical solutions, while transferring these technologies to applications on Earth. Our lunar missions will enable us to learn a great deal about the resistance of materials, the optimisation of batteries and energy management in extreme conditions. We intend to use all this knowledge on Earth and pass it on to future generations. Space innovation and terrestrial performance are closely linked.