Icona Shanghai debuts at Auto Shanghai 2011 with two models - Fuselage and E3WM - AllCarIndex

Icona Shanghai debuts at Auto Shanghai 2011 with two models - Fuselage and E3WM

Apr 23, 2011

icona shanghai has released the following press release:

the company

founded in early 2010, icona shanghai brings together some of the best european design, engineering, modeling and prototyping experience in the automotive sector for the benefit of its customers in china and asia.

through its integrated partnership with sector leaders tecnocad progetti and cecomp located in torino (italy), icona shanghai benefits from more than 30 years’ experience and offers a complete range of services for vehicle development, including styling, engineering, manufacturing of design models and prototypes.

at the shanghai 2011 auto show icona introduces 2 new vehicles, both based on electric power train:

- fuselage, a concept show car

- e3wm, a personal mobility vehicle

fuselage

for the shanghai 2011 auto show icona unveils the fuselage, a concept study where elegance and glamour come together with advanced technology.

designed by samuel chuffart, design director of icona shanghai, along with his design team, fuselage was engineered by tecnocad progetti and manufactured by cecomp, the 2 founding company partners of icona shanghai.

the vehicle is a concrete example of the skills, know-how and capabilities that icona shanghai and its italian mother companies can offer to its customers.

the style

“passion and aerodynamics” drove the development of the icona fuselage.

fuselage is a roomy 4-seater electric vehicle with a sensuous and exciting design.  fuselage proves how a 4-seater sedan can evolve into an elegant and sporty profile.

the attention to aerodynamics is eye-catching: the low profile, the reduced front section and several specific devices allow an optimized efficiency, with a cd of 0.26 as measured in the wind tunnel.

a single large gull-wing door and the absence of a b pillar ensure convenient passenger access and offer a partial clearance of the roof.

with a wheelbase of 2870 mm, the fuselage’s four passengers enjoy generous leg room. horizontal space gain does not affect the vehicle’s drag efficiency, and the car’s slightly stretched profile is reminiscent of a plane fuselage.

the inspiration derived from airplanes does not end there. in the interior, the floating dashboard and center console are inspired by fighter jets’ slick yet sophisticated design.  the design of the seats and door panels express the same balance as the exterior design, mixing stretched flowing shapes with dramatic dynamic graphics.  the driver display provides driving direction in the center with other driving information (concerning mainly speed and autonomy) on either side. rear view cameras combined with the radio and gps antennas on each side of the car provide an image which is displayed in the center of the dashboard.

the technology

offering a zev (zero emission vehicle) full electric concept, fuselage is powered by four sub-axle motors. an aku (actuation traction unit) executes both motors driving and intelligent high voltage battery management.

in full electric mode, with a total output of 100 kw, fuselage can reach a top speed of 200 km/ h, from 0 to 100 km/ h in 4.5 seconds and a range of 220 km. the 360 kg battery pack is located in the central tunnel: it provides 15 kw/ h and has a 380 v nominal voltage. in addition the regenerating brake power recuperation and two solar panels provide enough energy for interior electric components. the emu (energy management unit) regulates and dispatches the appropriate amount of energy at the right place according to the different needs of the vehicle.

a serial hybrid powertrain is available as an option. a small displacement engine running at stable low speed charges the batteries and provides an efficient way to extend the autonomy of the vehicle.

fuselage specifications

e3wm

electric 3 wheel mobile

icona has developed the e3wm, a highly innovative proposal for an emerging class of new vehicles: the personal mobility vehicle. the e3wm is combining a car safety and comfort with the driving excitement and maneuverability of a motorcycle. its electric powertrain perfectly suits an urban usage or an environment aware recreational vehicle.

e3wm is a three wheel vehicle for two passengers seating in line. it is the first personal mobility vehicle that combines up-to-date technologies electric powertrain, active tilt & steer control, integrated vehicle dynamics, structural optimization and crash proof frame. e3wm is much safer than motorbikes and scooters as well as much smaller than and lighter than any car.

e3wm is equipped with one rear main electric motor and two front motors in wheel which allow a full electronic control of integral traction and vehicle dynamics.

with its overall dimensions and low weight, e3wm serves perfectly the purpose of personal mobility.

icona’s styling and engineering know-how made this vehicle lighter and more drag efficient than a regular car in order to obtain a much smaller footprint. however, with a powertrain maximum power of 85 kw, the acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/ h comes in just 5 seconds while the vehicle’s range reach 150 km in an urban usage. the battery pack is located under the dashboard and between the driver’s legs. it can be fully charged between 4 and 6 hours by a sae j1772 connector.

very different from previous personal transportation, e3wm is as safe as a regular small city vehicle. the passenger cabin has been created in computer aided simulations and optimized in physical crash testing according to the european ncap crash test. as a result, the occupants do not depend on helmets for protection and are also safeguarded from weather and wind while the actively controlled tilting suspension improves the vehicle stability and dynamics.

equiped with 17” lightweight aluminum wheels and a totally new suspension, e3wm is designed to tilt when cornering thanks to a computer-controled tilting system. this very reliable and responsive electromechanical system assures that the vehicle stays upright during standstill or lower speeds, while leans into curves like a motorcycle at higher speed. vehicle motion is constantly monitored and allows the vehicle to be steered like a car, while offering the driving fun and a maneuverability of a motorcycle. besides, a full dynamics control that  provides integral traction (3 wheels) with an anti-skid and stability control complete the active safety features.

being an innovative new vehicle full of technology, e3wm will have a uniquely distinctive style. it will break away from previously seen 3 wheelers design, and clearly desmonstrate the belonging to the world of city vehicles. icona wanted to emphasize  on efficiency at every level (pleasure and practicability) and definitly will give the must fresh alternative to city cars.

e3wm specifications 

 source: icona shanghai