Icona Vulcano erupts in Shanghai

Arguably the flashiest all-new face to debut at the Shanghai Auto Show, the Icona Vulcano is a 950-horsepower hybrid supercar that was built by Icona Shanghai, a China-based automotive design, engineering and prototyping operation with clear international influences.

The exterior design of the 2-seat Vulcano reflects an extension of the visual form introduced on its 2011 Fuselage Concept, an award-winning EV-powered 4-seat sedan that also was penned by the firm’s design director, Samuel Chuffart. Rendered in carbon fiber, it uses what Chuffart describes as "dynamic triangles set in horizontal symmetry" to create a sensually dramatic appearance that creates the proper balance between power and beauty.

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Hybrid motivation for the Icona Vulcano comes in two distinct configurations, both engineered by Claudio Lombardi, former racing director at Lancia and ex-F1 powertrain tech director at Ferrari. The H-Turismo rear-drive setup matches a V12 of undisclosed displacement with a 7-speed automatic transmission that incorporates an electric motor and cranks out a total of 950 horsepower. This pairing – which perhaps not surprisingly sounds like the new HY-KERS system introduced on the 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari – is sufficient to send the Vulcano from 0-62 mph in less than 3 seconds and on to a top speed of 218 mph. The all-wheel-drive Vulcano H-Competizione alternative features a twin-turbocharged V6 teamed with two electric motors – on at each axle – that churn out a total of 870 horsepower and serve up a 2.9 second 0-60 mph time with an identical top end.

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While a number of other tech details also are limited, the Icona Vulcano features an aluminum chassis and rides on custom forged-alloy wheels. Its 20-inch front rims are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires, while the 21-inch rears wear wider, lower-profile 355/25 boots. Stopping power for the 3,516-lb Touring and the 3,605-lb Competizione is provided by huge Brembo brakes with carbon-ceramic rotors.

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