A few decades ago, titanium was considered an element of science fiction equipment like superhero armor, submarines, and spaceships. The metal is now used in almost all metal gadgets around us today, may it be missiles, laptops, or golf clubs, but the metal has not been seen in cars very often. What was seen as a concept in computer renders at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, the Icona Vulcano is a naked titanium Italian supercar that has now become a reality.
The Salon Prive Concours event is being held at the Blenheim Palace this September, and The Icona Vulcano will definitely be seen there.
The Icona Volcano is a 3500-pound slate grey supercar made of carbon fiber and titanium panels, that could hit a top speed of 220 mph. The inspiration for the car comes from the iconic Blackbird SR-71 from Lockheed. While the design is not nearly as captivating as the Blackbird, it is beautiful in its own way, nonetheless. The design director for Icona Samuel Chuffart expressed the challenges he faced in the design of the car saying:
“The most challenging design issue which we faced was how to create a balance between power and beauty. 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 World’s first titanium car was delivered as promised in term of its specifications but there is only of the £2.1 million (2.7 million USD) Icona Vulcano and it will not be hitting the market anytime soon. As the Vulcano website reads: “The naked titanium body is a sculpture, revealing its 10,000 hours of hand-crafted work in the most pure form.”
While the exterior is almost entirely handcrafted, the interior has been given no less importance. It makes use of all supercar materials including leather, carbon fiber, and Alcantara. The steering wheel shares its design with the Ferrari 458 but the manettino switch is little different with lesser functions.
The 661 bhp and 605 lb-ft engine, the car can go from zero to 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds. The top speed is said to exceed “355 km/h” which means 220 mph or more. The ceramic brakes will drop the speed for you instantly as and when required. 
If you have 2.7 million USD in hand, you might be able to get this one but remember this price is more than the Bugatti Chiron, a Lamborghini Centenario and more than a McLaren P1 GTR. Knowing there is only one of the kind, that might just be worth it.
Images: Vulcano Titanium
