Icona Neo

The Icona Neo was an electric concept vehicle developed by Icona Design Group, a design consultancy with headquarters in Turin and Shanghai. Presented at the 2015 Auto Shanghai exhibition, the Neo was conceived as a compact urban automobile intended to explore future-facing mobility solutions within high-density metropolitan environments. The project served as a design and engineering study, reflecting Icona’s intent to demonstrate innovation in packaging, form, and electric propulsion architecture. The exterior of the Neo was defined by an asymmetric five-door configuration. The right side of the vehicle featured two doors, including a rear-hinged door for rear-seat access, while the left side incorporated a single large door. This configuration was intended to facilitate boarding and alighting in curbside urban settings. The body measured approximately 3.4 meters in length, 1.63 meters in width, and 1.5 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 2.2 meters. The form was characterized by sculptural surfacing and sharp intersections, drawing inspiration from contemporary urban architecture and origami folding patterns. The vehicle employed a fully electric drivetrain consisting of in-wheel motors, delivering a combined power output of 21 kilowatts. The Neo’s total weight was approximately 720 kilograms, including a 90-kilogram battery pack and 130 kilograms allocated to the electric motor and control systems. The maximum speed was reported at 120 kilometers per hour, with an estimated city driving range of 150 kilometers. The use of in-wheel motors allowed for a flat floor architecture, optimizing interior packaging and eliminating the need for a central transmission tunnel. The cabin featured a layout focused on spatial openness and occupant interaction. Seating included a continuous rear bench and front bucket seats. The dashboard employed a multi-layered design with embedded digital displays, and interface elements were configured to support gesture-based controls. Materials and lighting were chosen to emphasize clarity and minimalism. The Icona Neo was not intended for production and remained at the concept stage. It functioned as a design exploration into urban electric mobility, emphasizing efficiency, accessibility, and space utilization. The model is catalogued among early 21st-century conceptual electric vehicles developed to address challenges specific to constrained urban environments.