Articles by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

One of the standouts of last weekend’s 2013 Shanghai Auto Show was a stunning supercar concept from Italian-owned but Shanghai-based design firm Icona. The concept carried the Vulcano name, which is Italian for “volcano,” and its lines were penned by French designer Samuel Chuffart, a former employee of illustrious design firm Bertone as well as automakers Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan. Construction of the concept, meanwhile, was handled by Italian firm Cecomp and its powertrains (yes, there are two separate designs) developed by former Scuderia Ferrari engineer Claudio Lombardi. Until now, Icona has stated only that the Vulcano was developed as a styling exercise to showcase the company’s talents. In fact, it was originally conceived as a one-off. However, since its reveal in Shanghai a few days ago, Icona has confirmed that production of the Vulcano was being considered and that no more than five examples will ever be built. The aim of the design was to combine supercar performance with everyday usability. Its sensual and yet dramatically sharp shape is consistent with its extreme performance capability, yet it is said to be docile and controllable around town. In addition, a hybrid system developed for the car means zero-emission driving is possible for short distances, which is quickly becoming a necessity for some of the major cities in Europe. As mentioned, there are two separate powertrain designs for the Vulcano. The more powerful, called the H-Turismo, couples a 581 kW  V12 with an electric motor integrated with the car’s automated manual gearbox. This boosts output to nearly 700 kW, all of which is delivered to the rear wheels. Thanks to launch control technology, Icona promises that the Vulcano H-Turismo will sprint from 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds, not the 2.0 seconds previously announced by the company. The alternative powertrain is another hybrid, although with a more complex through-the-road setup. This setup is called the H-Competizione and uses a 404 kW twin-turbocharged V6 engine to drive the rear wheels, and a pair of electric motors driving the front wheels and bringing peak output to a total 640 kW. The Vulcano H-Competizione will cover the 0-100 km/h mph sprint in 2.9 seconds and has the added traction of all-wheel drive. The H-Turismo version tips the scales at just over 1587 kg while the H-Competizione, due to its extra electric motor and heavier battery, weighs just over 1633 kg. Top speed for both models is 350 km/h. Why the two powertrains? Icona says the H-Turismo setup is an ode to the grand tourers of yesteryear, albeit with some modern technology, while the H-Competizione, as its name suggests, is designed with motorsport in mind and features the latest in racing technology. And for anyone thinking the powertrains are just vaporware, Icona’s technology partner, AIPA, led by Lombardi, has already successfully tested the technology in mules based on the World Rally-winning Lancia 037 from the 1980s (video of one of the mules can be viewed here). Underneath the Vulcano’s beautiful carbon fiber body is a custom aluminum extruded chassis, with the engine mounted up front and the gearbox at the rear. The suspension features a double-wishbone design with coil-springs all around. The wheels are a custom set from California’s Modulare Forged and are shod with Pirelli P Zero tires. The brakes, meanwhile, come from Brembo and feature carbon ceramic discs and chunky six-piston calipers. Icona says it went with a front-engine layout as this was determined to be more practical for everyday driving. Of course, the Vulcano is a custom-made car, so all options will be discussed individually with the client. Inside the Vulcano, you’ll find plenty of carbon fiber and two adjustable bucket seats. Trim options include Alcantara and fine leathers.There is a large touch-screen display that offers control of most of the vehicle functions and plenty of storage bins for both the driver and passenger. With Icona promising to limit production of the Vulcano to just five units in total, we suggest to contact them quickly if you’d like to see one in your driveway. www.motorauthority.com  

The Vulcano actually features two possible powertrain configurations, one of which consists of a front-mounted V12 paired with an electric system and developing a peak output of 708 kilowatts. The other is V6-based and develops slightly less power.Responsible for the powertrains was Italian engineer Claudio Lombardi, a successful motorsport engineer who oversaw many of Lancia’s World Rally Championship victories during the 1980s and Ferrari’s Formula One powertrain development during the 1990s. More recently he’s been developing new electrified powertrain concepts.The two powertrain designs announced for the Vulcano include an H-Turismo street setup and H-Competizione racing version.The street version is strictly rear-wheel-drive and uses an electric motor to synchronize its single-clutch automated gearbox for faster and smoother shifts. This is the version with the 708kW output, which Icona says is enough for a 0-100 km/h time of less than 2.0 seconds. The racing version is tuned to deliver 649kW and actually combines a turbocharged V6 engine with two electric motors in a through-the-road hybrid setup. The V6 powers the rear wheels while the two electric motors spin the front pair. The sophisticated drivetrain was recently fitted to an old Lancia 037 rally car and is said to have delivered some strong results, including a 0-100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds.Top speed for both versions is an estimated 349 km/h.  Also on hand to present the Vulcano and its technology in Shanghai was the car’s designer, Samuel Chuffart. The French designer has completed stints at Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover and Stile Bertone and has been responsible for many of Icona’s recent projects including the latest Vulcano and previous Fuselage concept from 2011’s Shanghai show.Specific elements of the concept include forged aluminium wheels measuring 20 inches up front and 21 inches in the rear, and wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires. The concept also wears carbon ceramic brakes clamped down by six-piston Brembo calipers.No word yet if Icona is planning a limited production run for the Vulcano, but we're still hoping someone with deep enough pockets commissions one.www.motorauthority.com 

Two of Italy’s finest luxury labels, Maserati and Ermenegildo Zegna, have entered a partnership aimed at promoting Italian design and manufacturing excellence worldwide. At the same time, the two will collaborate on a number of projects, starting with a special edition model next year to celebrate the centenary of Maserati. The new special edition will be a Quattroporte sedan inspired by the collections of the famous fashion label. The Maserati flagship sedan will be reinterpreted and customised with new colours, materials and trims, with some lifted directly from Zegna’s famous suit line. In particular, fabrics will be produced by the historic Lanificio Zegna wool mill in Trivero, Italy. Only 100 examples will be built and owners will also benefit from a unique collection of accessories by Zegna, specially designed for each of the cars. The first prototype will be unveiled at a major international auto show later this year (a standard 2014 Quattroporte is featured above). In 2015, Maserati will start offering Zegna-designed trim across its range, and in 2016 the automaker will launch a new personalisation department to help capitalise on the growing demand for tailor-made products. The demand has been so strong that even Hyundai has developed a custom version of its Equus flagship with French fashion label Hermès. “The partnership between Maserati and Ermenegildo Zegna Group is the meeting point of two leading companies representing pioneering Italian design and manufacturing,” Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said in a statement. “The partnership with an equally prominent company such as Ermenegildo Zegna will benefit both brands and the Fiat Chrysler Group.” www.motorauthority.com  

Yes, we know we’re still a month out from the release of Fast And Furious 6, but news of yet another sequel of the popular car-themed action series has surfaced. That’s right, Fast And Furious 7 is in the works, and it’s being fast tracked for a release on July 11, 2014. The previous movies have come out roughly two years apart. The announcement of Fast And Furious 7 was made by none other than Vin Diesel, the actor who plays co-lead Dom Toretto and also serves as producer for the movies. He was speaking in front of a group of cinema managers in Las Vegas on Tuesday, an event also attended by most of the latest movie’s co-stars including Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster and Tyrese Gibson. It’s not clear which characters--or cars--will return for the next installment, though we know director James Wan will take over from Justin Lin, who was responsible for the last four movies. No other details have been released just yet, though Variety reports that Diesel described Fast And Furious 7 as “probably the biggest one of all.”  Stay tuned. www.motorauthority.com  

You may find the color of this Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase a bit distressing, but there's a good reason for the particular hue applied to this car. The Ghost was painted this way to help foster support for breast cancer care.It was commissioned by FAB1, an organization headed by British broadcaster Chris Evans and which aims to raise funds for breast cancer care. However, the paint finish is only part of the scheme. The one-off Ghost will be used as a hire car in the UK over the next 12 months, with all proceeds from the hire service being donated.The car will also make appearances at exclusive events and be used by celebrities in order to build awareness for the FAB1 cause. Organizers are hoping to raise at least a million pounds (approximately $1.53 million).In support of the project, Rolls-Royce has combined numerous exclusive bespoke elements, from pink accented umbrellas, to hand-embroidered headrests featuring the breast cancer care pink ribbon motif.Further enhancements include unique ‘FAB1’ treadplates and a custom pink and cream leather interior. The cabin is also enhanced with hand veneered picnic tables, 9.2-inch LCD screens and a champagne coolbox.In case you were wondering, the FAB1 name comes from the pink Rolls-Royce seen in the 1960s British science-fiction television series Thunderbirds; owned by London agent Lady Penelope and driven by her butler, Parker.www.motorauthority.com 

McLaren’s new P1 is out in the open, though the promotional efforts surrounding the new supercar are far from over. The latest out of Woking is news of an upcoming “online interactive experience” that will involve the P1.What exactly McLaren has planned remains a secret, although a teaser video released by the company provides some clues. It focuses on the aerodynamics of the car and the Formula One technology behind it. A statement in the video also reads, “Discovers how we achieve new levels of performance.”We’re guessing McLaren is about to launch a new P1 microsite that will allow users to highlight certain sections of the car and discover its exact purpose. It’s possible the site will also feature some kind of 3D tour. McLaren will reveal all next month, so stay tuned.The new P1 is billed as the spiritual successor to the legendary McLaren F1 launched more than two decades ago. The car features a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that combines a V-8 engine with an electric motor and provides a combined output of 664 kilowatts and 899 Newton metres of torque.This is enough for 0-60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) acceleration in under 3.0 seconds and a top speed limited--for an undisclosed reason --to 350km/h. Only 375 examples of the P1 will be built, with pricing in the U.S. starting at $1.15 million.www.motorauthority.com 

While the Jaguar XJ is one of the best looking offerings in its class, its avant-garde styling has come at a cost. The sloping roof may give the XJ a sleek look but it has come at the cost of space for rear-seat passengers. Jaguar remains divided on whether to stick with this dramatic look for the next generation of its flagship sedan or switch to a conventional three-box shape that maximizes interior space. According to Edmunds, Jaguar’s solution is to go with both options; that is, to build two distinct versions of the next XJ. The reason behind the decision is said to be the divergent tastes in Jaguar's global markets, particularly between those of China and the US. In China, it’s common for luxury sedan owners to ride along in the back seat and have a chauffeur deal with the driving duties. It’s because of this reason that rear-seat space is crucial. In the US., it’s the dramatic, almost fastback look that makes the XJ stand out, and returning to the rather dull look of the previous-generation XJ is unlikely to be a popular move among Jaguar’s ranks. Not much else is known about the next XJ, though Jaguar has previewed a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that is expected to feature in the car. A lightweight aluminum chassis will remain, and combined with the hybrid system could see the new luxury sedan return a fuel economy in excess of 70 mpg.

Following the series of mishaps afflicting Mark Webber’s Chinese Grand Prix over the weekend, including the inadequate amount of fuel that was placed in his car during qualifying, which led to him starting the race from pit lane, one might easily think the Aussie is ready to quit his Red Bull Racing team.There’s a lot of speculation suggesting Webber is about to do just that, along with announcing a new deal with Porsche that will see him drive for the German automaker in its assault on the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year.In fact, Radio Le Mans reported today that Webber had already signed a five-year deal with Porsche. However, nothing could be further from the truth, said Porsche R&D boss Wolfgang Hatz during a recent interview with Auto Action. "We still have plenty of time to decide our driver line up,” Hatz said. “There is a test plan, and for sure Mark Webber is not part of them.” At the same time, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has vehemently denied that there was a team conspiracy against Webber.He’s also revealed that investigations were underway at the Red Bull team to determine the cause of the recent problems afflicting Webber’s performance.Webber has been closely linked with Porsche for several years and even bought a 911 GT2 as one of his personal cars. He’s also no stranger to Le Mans racing, having piloted a Mercedes-Benz CLR prototype at the famous race more than a decade ago.If Webber does join Porsche for this Le Mans campaign next year, he wouldn’t be the first F1 driver to move to endurance racing. Just this season Brunno Senna went from racing for Williams in F1 to racing an Aston Martin Vantage GTE in the World Endurance Championship.www.motorauthority.com 

From the same group that brought us videos of a Rolls-Royce Phantom going off-road and a Ferrari Enzo being driven in rally conditions, comes a new one, this time featuring two Ferrari F50s throwing dirt and then playing a game of tug of war.Why? Because Tax The Rich. The group’s mission is to bring you footage of supercars being used in the most unlikely manner, so you can bet there will be more outlandish videos to come. As for their latest video, they’ve chosen two pristine-looking examples of one of Ferrari’s former flagship models, the F50.The F50 may not be the wall poster favorite that the earlier F40 and newer Enzo and LaFerrari models may be, but, with only 349 examples ever built, plus an F1-derived V12 in its engine bay, the F50 remains one of the most sought-after Ferrari models ever produced and is still worth the small fortune.Luckily, neither of the examples here ended up landing in a ditch or crashing into a wall. Watch the desktop version of the Ferrari F50 tug-of-war video here.www.motorauthority.com 

The week hasn’t been good for Bugatti. It started off with its Veyron Super Sport being stripped of its production car land speed record by the officials At Guinness World Records due to the version of the car being sold to the public having its top speed limited below the 415kmh record figure. In response, Bugatti revealed it was just days away from unveiling a new performance offering. But less than 24 hours after Bugatti’s announcement, photos of the new performance offering leaked onto the Internet. Today, Bugatti has released the official details: the new performance offering is a special edition model called the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Car. And, it was recently driven to a top speed of 408.84 km/h on the Volkswagen Group’s Ehra-Lessien test track, renowned for its 9 km straight, by Chinese racing driver Anthony Liu. You may recall that the regular Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse already had a claimed 410 km/h top speed. However, this was with a fixed roof piece in place. Remove the roof and the speed was limited to 375 km/h. Liu’s 408.84 km/h run was completed with both the roof and speed limiter removed, and it was independently tested. However, not by officials at Guinness but by Germany’s TÜV organization for vehicle inspection and certification. Nevertheless, this means that the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Car is now the world’s fastest open-top production car. “The car is even at such high speeds incredibly comfortable and stable,” Liu said after his run. “With an open top, you can really experience the sound of the engine and yet even at higher speeds I did not get compromised by the wind at all.” All Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse models, including the speed-unlimited World Record Car, are powered by a 880kW version of the Veyron’s quad-turbocharged, 16-cylinder 8.0-litre engine. Eight examples of the World Record Car will now be built, each priced from 1.99 million euros (approximately $2.47 million AUD). It makes its official world debut at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show next week. www.motorauthority.com