Genesis
The Vulcano uses a consistent theme of dynamic triangles set in horizontal symmetry, reminiscent of the ICONA logo, which balance the dynamism of the volume. To connect the features and divide each part, tight lines complement the voluptuous shape, enhancing the car’s sensual power.
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.
The very first idea for the Vulcano was to use a front engine layout, and to use a strongly sculpted body side which would evacuate the hot air from the engine and reduce the air turbulence generated by the wheels. “As different ideas came together, the most challenging design issue which we faced was how to create a balance between power and beauty. When you’re trying to create a feeling of aesthetic harmony, you risk creating too many sweet lines, which decreases the feeling of power. On the other hand, if you make too much of the powerful features which are necessary to a super sports car such as its cooling cutouts and blades which manage the air flow, they become graphically too dominant, and this makes the car less beautiful. The way we found the right balance was usually by looking for the greatest simplicity” said Samuel Chuffart.
Exterior - Design
From the mesmerising molten lava and ferocious power of Mount Vesuvius to the frightening velocity of a stealth bomber and the sculptural curves of Zaha Hadid’s architectural masterpieces, the Icona Vulcano was inspired by symbols of power and beauty, both man-made and created by Mother Nature.
The Vulcano uses a consistent theme of dynamic triangles set in horizontal symmetry, reminiscent of the ICONA logo, which balance the dynamism of the volume. To connect the features and divide each part, tight lines compliment the voluptuous shape, enhancing the car’s sensual power. The body is all titanium, providing a light and resistant structure.
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 coveted position of Chief Designer in Italy in 2008, successfully developing numerous production cars soon to be seen on the road.
Performance
The Vulcano Titanium was built by Cecomp, an Italian coachbuilder with a long and glorious history. The powertrain is the work of Claudio Lombardi, ex- Scuderia Ferrari director and mastermind of numerous world champion cars. Also key was Mario Cavagnero, the man behind the Lancia Racing team and father of the engine of many championship-winning cars, such as the famous Lancia Integrale and 037, as well as the complete Peugeot T16 family.
In his words, “A champion car is made from drivability, how well a man can feel the machine and the real performance comes with the art of bringing the optimum amount of power to the wheels.”
In his words, “A champion car is made from drivability, how well a man can feel the machine and the real performance comes with the art of bringing the optimum amount of power to the wheels.”
Some numbers...
0-200Kmh in 8.8 secs | 670 hp | 220 mph | 840 N/m
Capable to be tuned to well over 1.000 horsepower should the owner demand it, the optimized 670 horsepower and 840 N/m of its supercharged V8 is coupled with a paddle-shift close ratio gearbox from Automac Modena, allowing 0 to 60 miles/hr in 2.8 seconds and 120 miles/hr in 8.8 seconds.
The shift times, the ratios and differential gear have been optimized and calibrated in order to achieve the best balance in the distribution of power. This system allows to eliminate the traditional gear lever replacing it with the pades connected to the sensors on the steering column. The result achieves an extreme simplicity of combined driving at a considerable speed of change by only touching the blades with fingers, without ever taking hands off the steering wheel.
Also the geometry of the suspensions have been revolutionized in respect of the traditional solutions.
The shock absorbers are fully adjustable in rebound and compression, and this makes the choice possible between several possible settings in order to identify the most suitable calibration to the drive type. The coil coaxial springs (which replace the typical leaf springs) combined with the new shock absorber has a tunable spring preload, this allows proper modification of heights and a better weight distribution on the front and rear. Front and rear anti-roll bars, widely adjustable, allow to vary the stiffness depending on use. The naked titanium body was sculptured by CECOMP involving more than 10,000 hours of hand-crafted work in the most pure form.
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