The Italian Design Center published the first pictures of the limited series supercar it will present at the Geneva Motorshow. And it is a head turner!
by Akis Temperidis (twitter.com/theworldoffroad)
According to Italdesign, the car will be built in ultra-limited series – only five units throughout 2017. This is a true collector’s item and as far as we know four of the cars are already sold and if the project meets success, more ideas are to follow.
We are not aware of the name of the car but we already know that it utilizes a modular chassis in carbon fibre and aluminium – probably similar if not the same as the Lamborghini Huracan/R8 platform – and a 5.2 litre V10 engine which enables 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 330+ km/h. The bodywork is entirely in carbon fibre. The car is 4847 millimetres long, 1970 millimetres wide and 1204 millimetres in height. It is 40 and 42 cm longer than the Huracan and R8 respectively and looks completely different in proportions. The aerodynamic coefficient is not published so far but we can imagine great values as far as the ground effect of the body concerns. The car looks more like a GT3 racing car than a standard road legal supercar. The maximum output was not published but it should be well over the 610 bhp – we should guess that with a special mapping the engine might approach the 700 bhp mark.
According to Filippo Perini, Head of Innovation Design at Italdesign, the car “is characterised by the two sides of the same medal. Above the tornado line, outlines are distinctly softer and smoother in keeping with the Italian Gran Turismo tradition. The lower part is modelled from aerodynamics. To achieve the performances we had in mind, we had to dare beyond all limits from styling and even purely technical points of view. The outcome ensures extremely high impact without ever being design for design’s sake”.
In other words, form follows function in this car. Let us remind you that Perini is the spiritual father of some famous limited series Lamborghini cars like the Sesto Elemento and Veneno and his ultimate – Italdesign branded – work seems to be an extreme evolution of his previous masterpieces.
The Italdesign supercar was built in record time thanks to the simultaneous engineering method, which means strict collaboration between the Styling Centre and the Engineering Department right from the start. Designers and engineers work almost simultaneously to carry forward styling solutions and functional-feasibility checks until an ideal compromise is achieved that meets design and performance requirements alike.
“The development of the one-off was based on the know-how achieved in the designing of hundreds of cars in our 49-years history” – Italdesign Chief Technical Officer Antonio Casu, said. “To reach the timing target we applied the latest CAx and Simulation Technologies. Styling has been integrated since the very beginning with early engineering and production processes. All this allowed us to produce a state-of-the-art car in terms of performance and safety.”
Massimo Bovi, Head of Pre- Series Center says:“We put it our best skills into the production of the first car using some of the finest productions methods and engaging our high skilled workers. At the same time, we engaged deeply in the latest technologies in electric and electronics. Therefore, this first car is showcasing our expertise gained in our history. It is also an invitation to all of our clients to see us in our facility”.
The five super lucky customers of the brand new Italdesign supercar will be able customise their cars to the hilt thanks to finishing and performance packages.
The world launch of the car also signs a collaboration between Italdesign and Geneva watchmaker Roger Dubuis to create an exclusive eight-piece, proudly Italian collection of the brand’s iconic Excalibur Spider wristwatch.
We look forward to seeing and touching this Italian beauty in Geneva!