GENEVA 2011 - IED Torino previews Abarth Scorp-Ion Concept

Feb 18, 2011

#Abarth #IED

IED Torino has released the following press release:

IED Turin presents SCORP-ION: an electric provocation for the future of Abarth

The Istituto Europeo di Design of Turin interprets a 100% Abarth future in the all-electric concept car designed by the students of the Master of Arts in Transportation Design - work experience and presents two winning thesis of the three-year Transportation Design course

Participating for the eighth year running at the Geneva International Motor Show, IED Turin unveils a world preview of the SCORP-ION: an environment-friendly concept car designed by the students of the Master of Arts in Transportation Design – work experience a.y. '09/10 and constructed in cooperation with Abarth. For the 81st edition of the Motor Show, IED has measured up the challenge of interpreting the true essence of the Abarth marque, distinguishing this from the Fiat brand with which it is often identified, through the vision of the young car designer.

How to express the pure unadulterated spirit of Abarth, renowned worldwide for compact, intelligent, record-breaking sports cars? IED Turin responded with SCORP-ION.

SCORP-ION (length 4010 mm - width 1905 mm - height 1192 mm - wheel base 2350 mm) embodies all of Abarth’s specific characteristics in an unequalled combination of sportiness and reduced dimensions. However, the concept oversteps any current scheme of the production range and is projected towards the future of the marque, according to an extreme vision of Abarth’s identity and character.

SCORP-ION has been conceived as an environment-friendly car: a green identity, 2-seater small size and full-electric. Positioning of the lithium battery, from which the car takes its name SCORP-ION (from the English ion) under the load compartment behind the seats promotes maximum rationalisation of space. The engine is de-located in the four wheels in order to exploit the interior to the full; the very low centre of gravity of the vehicle promotes maximum performance and efficient driving, the two-seater configuration endows the vehicle with a generously-scaled luggage compartment.

Overall, the concept recalls the lines of the scorpion – icon of the Abarth marque – and has been designed with particular attention to improving vehicle aerodynamics, also through complete covering of the real wheels.

“It’s always exciting - declares César Mendoza, Director of IED Turin - and also a source of a particular apprehension to know that our school participates each year at the Geneva Motor Show without having a definitive vision, from the outset, of the project we will present; a vision that is gradually refined and takes shape once the concept has been completed by the students. It is this silent confidence in our students and which exists among the school, lecturers and students that underlies the professional growth of each single designer. The concept premiered this year is already a source of great satisfaction as it has provided us with the opportunity to carry out research into a great Italian marque, its character, also considering the use of alternative sources of energy. This study has encouraged our students to conceive bold, innovative styling and volumetric solutions”.

SCORP-ION is the offshoot of the work of seven students of the Master coordinated by Luca BORGOGNO, Senior Designer Pininfarina and Luigi GIAMPAOLO, Designer Maserati. The Master of Arts in Transportation Design – work experience is a highly qualified, two-year course intended to train competent automotive professionals able to approach the world of work through a constant rapport between companies and styling centres.

The concept car is, in fact, the result of a process comprising various phases of assessment that simulate a real working situation: starting from the seven design proposals, all the models have been reproduced in clay in 1:4 scale, subsequently selecting that which complied most effectively with the initial brief of the company. The entire class, working in groups, then worked on the project selected to complete all the internal and external details of the concept.

SCORP-ION stems from an idea of: Emre HUSMEN (Turkey)

The following persons worked on the project: Alexandre GOLOSKOK (Russia), Aydar NIGMATULLIN (Russia), Maksym SHKINDER (Ukraine), Karla Dennis SORIANO FARFAN (Mexico), Chrysanthos THERAPONTOS (Cyprus), Marcos VILLALON (Argentina)

SCORP-ION has been constructed with the cooperation of: Pirelli and OZ Racing

SCORP-ION was painted by: GR Painting

Alongside the life-size model, IED Turin presents, at the stand, BIO RENOVATIO and TOROK, concept cars in 1:4 scale, thesis projects of the students of the three-year course in Transportation Design – car design a.y. '09/10, constructed in cooperation with McLaren.

The project focussed on the realization of a hybrid mid-engined open-roof 4WD sports car with passenger cell, for two persons, constructed using the McLaren carbon fibre MonoCell. Adopting a conceptual approach, the students considered a potential vehicle to be launched on the market in 2020: a car able to combine supremacy on the tracks, driving emotions and McLaren’s characteristics both on and off the road.

The students who took part in the project worked under the supervision of Fulvio FANTOLINO, Coordinator of the Three year post-diploma Course in Transportation Design – car design.

BIO RENOVATIO is a project by: Salvatore CUTAIA, Vasily KURKOV and Jesus Adrian SOLIS GARCIA

TOROK is a project by: Michel DI MARCO, Andrea INVERNIZZI and Shariq VIRANI

SCORP-ION, BIO RENOVATIO and TOROK were constructed by: CECOMP

IED Torino wishes to thank ABET LAMINATI for its cooperation.