2013 Icona Vulcano - AllCarIndex

PRESS RELEASE:

The Vulcano embodies the best in Italian design and engineering. Reaching up to 950 horsepower through an ingenious combination of combustion engine and electric motors, all encased in a beautiful design featuring voluptuous and harmonious shapes, this is the car which brings together the Beauty and the Beast.  The Icona Vulcano was designed by Icona Director of Design, Samuel Chuffart.

The Icona Vulcano is a front engine V12 two-door two-seater car; the top speed will be around 350 km/h, and 0-200 km/h will be well under ten seconds.  The powertrain of the Icona Vulcano is the work of well-known Claudio Lombardi, former powertrain technical director of Ferrari and mastermind of numerous world champion cars.  Claudio Lombardi has engineered two available configurations for the Icona Vulcano. The first is an impressive rear wheel drive V12 associated to an advanced technology gearbox that includes a hybrid system: its electric motor synchronises the single clutch for fast gear change and balances the torque for smooth and optimal acceleration while its additional power increases the total power of the car to 950 HP.

Based on further development of this advanced technology, the Vulcano will also be available in a four wheel drive alternative: this time a twin turbo V6 engine coupled with two electric motors for front traction will deliver a total power of 870 HP, and in an overall set up made to be a record beating Nürburgring champion. This masterful combination was successfully tested only a few months ago at San Marino with the Lancia 037 (Ex World Champion Rally) transformed by Beppe Volta into a 4WD hybrid. Made by ACTUA together with Italtecnica, the Lancia 037 4WD-H beat its previous record in every way.

The wheels of the Vulcano are forged aluminium, 20 x 10” in the front and 21 x 12.5” in the rear.  These wheels started life as T6-6061 aerospace grade forged aluminum. To handle this power, Icona has selected Pirelli P Zero ultra high performance tyres.  With a 355mm section in the rear and 285mm section in the front, these tyres have been developed using a new high-grip compound with nano-composites and an innovative racing tread. The Icona Vulcano braking system has been supplied by Brembo.  The GT-R brakes are the finest high-performance aftermarket braking system ever engineered for production. Lighter and stiffer with excellent heat rejection, the 6 piston calipers are machined entirely from billet. Lightweight carbon ceramic discs of 380mm all round reduce inertia while dissipating heat exceptionally fast.

ICONA VULCANO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

GENERAL

What is the Vulcano’s Unique Selling Point?

The Vulcano is an Italian supercar that would fulfil the desires of most people in the supercar world. Its sensual and yet dramatically sharp shape is consistent with its extreme performance capability, yet it is docile and controllable, making it extremely driveable. In addition, its hybrid system means that the car can be used in zero emission mode (full electric); as many cities are increasingly restricting access for vehicles which pollute, this technology of the future is an answer for how to reconnect super cars not only to the road,but also to integrate them in modern city life. The Vulcano makes for an easy life on the road, on the track and in the city.

What is the reason behind the Icona Vulcano?

Passion and innovation are the two factors driving all the people involved in the Vulcano. Our decision to combine forces to create this supercar was motivated by a desire to create a new and progressive super car which would fit in with modern daily life. This more dependable usability for a supercar was developed both through its elegant yet purposeful aesthetics and its technology. Vulcano’s truly dependable hybrid technology approach not only increases the supercar’s performances but also enhances its usability in the driving experience, making it a usable car, not just a toy.

How many cars will Icona produce?

This car is made as a one-off, no more than five will be built.

Why is the car called the Vulcano?

Vulcano means volcano in Italian, and the name evokes the fascinating beauty of red-hot molten lava, combined with ferocious power.

Who built the car?

The car is built by Cecomp, one of the founding partners of Icona based in Torino, Italy.

Who designed the car?

Icona Shanghai.

Who is behind the mechanics?

Claudio Lombardi with his team from Italtecnica designed the powertrain, Actua designed the hybrid system.

What are the body design features?

Technical: Engine heat evacuation is managed towards the sides, avoiding the negative aerodynamic impact of hot air. The flat floor has a rear wing integrated under the car. The front grille is also shaped with blades, tuned for down force adjustment. Similar to the Icona Fuselage concept, the integrated wings in the lower area of the wheel arches help to control the air flow and reduce air turbulence. The body is entirely made from carbon fiber, dressed over a strong aluminium extruded chassis.

Tell me about the interior….

As for the exterior, the “Beauty and the Beast” complementary relationship is expressed with a performance orientated feel at first glance, while the sophisticated and refined integrated design of each element gives the interior an unforgettable signature.

The interior makes significant use of carbon fiber, giving a race-inspired feel while fully adjustable bucket seats and other practical design features ensure total comfort for passengers on a long journey. On the one hand, the interior is very complete and high tech: its large touchscreen provides most functions such as GPS, radio, or car diagnostics, both passengers have armrests on each side and an elegant five point seatbelt, and there are storage areas hidden behind the seats, capable of storing quite large objects such as a golf bag. On the other hand, the interior design is driver-orientated, with very prominent visual displays on the touchscreen and no distracting unnecessary details. The fine balance of being a dependable supercar is also reflected in the colour and trim: natural saddle leather for the seats and black alcantara and carbon fiber for the rest of the interior.

TECHNICAL

What is the engine?

Thre are two hybrid mechanics available, one is a V12 of 790hp coupled with an advanced hybrid gearbox technology which increases the total power output to 950hp distributed to the rear wheels; the other choice is a hybrid electric four wheel drive coupled with a twin turbo V6 of 550 hp to create a total of 870hp.

Why these two choices of technology?

Both technologies are a new step forward in performance car development. These configurations address the two uses for the Vulcano supercar, as illustrated by their respective names. The H-Turismo V12 is an ode to the passionate world of super GT. An Italian V12 is the heart of the machine and its hybrid technology augments its phenomenal power output. The H-Competizione is the pinnacle of innovative racing technology combining an ideal balance of power on each wheel with such ease that a non-professional driver could easily take on any racetrack at unbelievable speed.

What are these hybrid technologies?

The Vulcano Hybrid technology does not just deliver increased power, it is also a perfect combination of mechanics that will delete any jolt from gear changes, optimize the torque delivered on each driven wheel and reduce the time of a gear change to the same speed as a DSG without having the extra weight of a double clutch. This very convincing new technology has been successfully tested on the world rally champion Lancia 037 VOLTA last September.

What chassis does the Vulcano have?

The Chassis is made of aluminium extrusion with the engine in front-central position and the gearbox coupled to the rear axle for a perfect balance of weight. The suspension is double triangle front and rear with coiled springs all around.

What is the car’s autonomy in zero emission mode?

The Vulcano H-Turismo V12 can drive about 20 kilometres in the city. The Vulcano HCompetizione can drive 30 kilometres in full electric mode.

Why is the car front mid engine?

Our approach was not to make a street legal race car which has no practical use and makes for a difficult driving experience in all conditions except the track. Instead, the practical and well balanced packaged that is the mid-front engine layout allows for a more flexible approach, where beauty merges with extreme performance. The aerodynamics demanded by a supercar can be expressed in the most sensual and generous shapes, putting beauty and desire at the forefront of this car’s performance-driven image.

Is another engine available?

Yes. We have alternative options: this is a custom-made car so all engine options will be discussed individually with the client.

What is the performance difference between the H-Turismo V12 and The H-Competizione?

Both versions provide similar extremely high performance. The difference between the two is in the driving style. The H-Turismo V12 is a thoroughbred two wheel drive, extremely capable in the right hands. The H-Competizione is dedicated to reach the maximum drivability thanks to its extremely efficient technology which distributes the perfect power on each corner of the car at any speed. Although the top speed is very high, this is not the priority of either version; both have top speeds estimated at 350 km/h, a velocity rarely used on any super car or race car. The acceleration and handling are really the focus of the Vulcano. The H-Turismo V12 and the H-Competizione can accelerate from 0 – 100 Km/h in 3.1 and 2.9 seconds respectively, and from 0-200 km/h in 9.2 and 8.9 seconds. The main performance difference would be illustrated on the track, where the H-Competizione would also excel with ease in the hands of a non professional driver.

How do the doors open?

They have a double rotation axis to open elegantly vertically towards the rear.

What are the car’s dimensions?

The car’s dimensions are:

Length: 4.45m; Width: 1.94m; Height: 1.265m; Wheelbase: 2.698m; Weight: 1595 KG (HTurismo V12) and 1635 (H-Competizione).

What are the wheels?

The wheels of the Vulcano are forged aluminium, 20 x 10” in the front and 21 x 12.5” in the rear, custom-made in California by Modulare Forged. The tyres are Pirelli P Zero ultra high performance tyres, with a 355mm section in the rear and 285mm section in the front.

What are the brakes?

The Icona Vulcano braking system has been supplied by Brembo. The GT-R brakes are the finest high-performance aftermarket braking system ever engineered for production. Lighter and stiffer with excellent heat rejection, the 6 piston calipers are machined entirely from billet. Lightweight carbon ceramic discs of 380mm all round reduce inertia while dissipating heat exceptionally fast.

SOURCE: ICONA SHANGHAI

ICONA VULCANO: THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST COME TOGETHER

A one-off supersports car, coachbuilt in Italy and designed by Icona, the Italian design house based in Shanghai

Italy, 21 March 2013: Icona reveals the first teaser of the Icona Vulcano (iconavulcano.com). This new supercar will be revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show next April.

The Icona Vulcano brings together different skills and expertise of a very Italian tradition. The powertrain is the work of well-known Claudio Lombardi, former powertrain technical director of Ferrari and mastermind of numerous world champion cars: a front engine V12 two-door two-seater car, reaching up to 900 horsepower through a masterful combination of combustion engine and electric motors. The top speed will be around 350 km/h, and 0-200 km/h will be under ten seconds.

Alongside its astonishing performance and pedigree, the design of the Icona Vulcano is an evolution of the very advanced form language which was first introduced on the Icona Fuselage concept in 2011 by Samuel Chuffart, Icona's design director. The aim of the design approach is to express the amazing capabilities of this extremely powerful car, while maintaining harmonious and generous shapes: bringing together the Beauty and the Beast.

Talented young French designer Samuel Chuffart brings exceptional international experience to his role as design director of Icona. During his eight year tenure at Nissan Design in Europe and the US, Mr. Chuffart played an instrumental role in the creation and realization of the Nissan DNA which is known today. Mr. Chuffart then moved to Jaguar-Land Rover, before being selected for the position of Chief Designer at a leading design house in Italy in 2008, successfully developing numerous production cars soon to be seen on the road.

Claudio Lombardi is one of the most successful Italian motor engineers: racing director of Lancia that won seven World Rally Championships with 037 Rally and Delta S4 from 1982 to 1991, powertrain technical director of Ferrari for Formula One and GT cars from 1991 to 2000, and project leader of Aprilia to win the Superbike World Championship in 2010 with Max Biaggi, using one of the most powerful and light engines ever developed in its category. In the last two years Lombardi founded AIPA to develop different powertrain concepts to make the most of the combination of combustion engines and electric motors for innovative integral powertrain.