► One-off set for debut at Pebble Beach
► 670bhp, claimed 0-60mph in 2.8sec
► Chinese funding, Italian design
Icona. Not an immediately familiar name, but a few of you might recall the Chinese design and engineering firm making an appearance at the 2013 Shanghai motor show. There Icona revealed its Vulcano ‘hypercar’ in concept form, with a claimed power output close to 1000bhp. Now the Vulcano’s back, sporting a big-block V8 with a comparatively modest 670bhp, and titanium bodywork.
Icona has announced more advanced version of the Vulcano will be previewed at Pebble Beach on 12-16 August, with a design said to be inspired by the world’s fastest plane, the Blackbird SR-71.
French design, Italian engineering, Chinese funding
Samuel Chuffart, Icona’s design director, chose to use a predominantly titanium and carbonfibre body for the one-off creation, a construction claimed to be the first of its kind. The structure is said to allow hot air to escape from the engine particularly efficiently, and to reduce air turbulence generated from the wheels.
Icona has added some famous names to its line-up to create the Vulcano. Claudio Lombardi, ex-Scuderia Ferrari director famous for masterminding a number of championship winning cars, is in charge of powertrain development. Alongside Lombardi is Mario Cavagnero, the pair having worked together in the past on a number of Lancia motorsport projects.
Despite describing itself as a European design studio (with a partnership with companies in Italy) Icona is, however, based in Shanghai with a customer base in China and Asia. This is all very confusing…
The Icona Vulcano has some serious potential then?
Certainly sounds like it. Icona says the supercharged V8 engine, sourced from the Corvette ZR1, offers 670bhp and a brutal 620lb ft of torque. It’s not shy with its projected performance figures, stating 2.8sec for the 0-60mph (not 62mph) sprint and a top speed of 220mph.
Although the Vulcano’s essentially a showpiece to show what the consultancy can do, Icona says theoretical customers would be offered the option of even greater power outputs should they wish, with as much as 1000bhp being mentioned. And if there’s one motoring event where interested showgoers might just have a chequebook big enough to add a titanium-bodied hypercar to their garage, Pebble Beach is the one.