What Makes the Longoni Evoluzione Citrus So Rare
Only 300 units of the Longoni Evoluzione Citrus will ever exist. This is a genuine limited-edition carom cue, not a marketing gimmick, designed by Marco Zanetti, the only Italian player to win the UMB World Three-Cushion Championship. Zanetti claimed his first world title in 2002 and added a second, along with a European Championship and 25 Italian national titles over his career.
The Evoluzione Citrus is a signature cue in Longoni's acclaimed Evoluzione line, developed after months of anticipation from the global billiard community. Longoni has manufactured cues 100% in Italy since 1945 at its factory in Mariano Comense, in the province of Como. That's over 80 years of unbroken Italian craftsmanship behind every piece.
Billiard City is the authorized US Longoni dealer and the only place to purchase this cue with full manufacturer backing in the United States.
The Wood Combination Behind the 'Citrus' Name
The butt of the Evoluzione Citrus is built from four distinct woods: Ural, Curly Birch, Carrubo (Carob), and Maple. Each plays a specific role in the cue's feel, look, and performance.
Ural is Longoni's proprietary wood brand, made from European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). Introduced in fall 2019, Ural undergoes an innovative deep-staining process using alternating pressurization and depressurization cycles. The result is a richly colored hardwood with excellent structural integrity. European hornbeam is not at risk of extinction, making it a responsible choice for players who care about sustainability in their equipment.
Curly Birch adds a distinctive grain pattern and natural warmth. Its tight, wavy figure catches light beautifully and contributes to the cue's unique visual character. Carrubo (Carob) brings deep amber tones and a dense, stable feel that supports consistent feedback on contact. Maple rounds out the combination with its proven reliability as a cue wood, offering a smooth, balanced foundation.
Together, these four woods create the warm, golden palette that gives the cue its "Citrus" name. The effect is striking without being flashy. Most product listings for premium carom cues never explain why specific woods are chosen or how they interact. Here, every wood serves a purpose, from aesthetics to playability to environmental responsibility.
For players comparing high-end carom cues, this combination of sustainably sourced Ural and three complementary hardwoods is genuinely distinctive in the market.
HEXA-CORE Butt Technology: What It Actually Means
Longoni's HEXA-CORE butt construction is the engineering backbone of the Evoluzione Citrus. In plain terms, it merges two existing Longoni systems into one: the X-CORE metal system and the XYLOCORE wood system.
The critical component is the joining element, CNC-machined from ergal aluminum. This piece features precisely calibrated grooves designed to control elasticity at the connection point between the metal and wood structures. The groove pattern is engineered to fine-tune how energy moves through the butt during a stroke.
What does this mean when you're actually playing? Three things stand out. First, more consistent energy transfer from your arm through the cue to the tip. Second, improved vibration dampening, so you feel the ball contact cleanly without unwanted buzz. Third, a more responsive overall feel that rewards precise stroke mechanics.
Previous Longoni systems used either X-CORE or XYLOCORE independently. HEXA-CORE combines both, and the CNC-machined ergal aluminum bridge between them is what makes the difference. This is a structural redesign, not a minor refinement.
Marco Zanetti's input shaped these engineering choices directly. When a player has achieved a general average of 2.718 at the 2019 Sharm El Sheikh World Cup (just below the world record of 2.777 set in 2017), his feedback on cue construction carries real weight. The HEXA-CORE system reflects a world champion's demands for precision and feel.
The Luna Nera Shaft and VP2 Joint System
The Evoluzione Citrus ships with Longoni's flagship shaft: the Luna Nera. This is a graphite shaft built from unidirectional carbon fiber, engineered specifically for extremely low deflection and high power transfer. The specs are competition-ready: 11.8 mm tip diameter, 69 cm length, and a weight range of 115 to 130 grams. These are standard dimensions for serious 3-cushion play.
Connecting the Luna Nera to the butt is Longoni's patented VP2 joint system. The VP2 provides what Longoni calls an "ultra-firm lock." In practical terms, the butt and shaft connect with virtually zero play or flex at the joint, so every ounce of energy from your stroke travels directly to the tip without being absorbed or dispersed at the connection point.
The practical advantages of the Luna Nera over traditional wood shafts are significant for competitive players. It's non-deformable, so it won't warp over time. It's resistant to humidity, which means consistent performance regardless of climate or venue conditions. And it's backed by a 24-month manufacturer's warranty against manufacturing defects, a concrete commitment to durability that should reassure anyone considering the switch from wood to carbon.
The carbon fiber versus wood shaft debate is ongoing in carom circles. Many players worry about losing "feel" with a carbon shaft. The Luna Nera is Longoni's answer to that concern: low deflection and high power without sacrificing the tactile feedback that experienced players rely on. It's engineered to perform like a precision instrument, not just a stiff tube.
The 3Lobite Extension and What It Does for 3-Cushion Players
Included with the Evoluzione Citrus is Longoni's iconic 3Lobite extension, a 20 cm butt extension designed specifically for 3-cushion play. Most product listings mention it in passing without explaining why it matters.
The practical value is straightforward: the 3Lobite allows you to extend your reach on bridge shots and long-angle positions without altering your grip or stance. In 3-cushion billiards, where table geometry often demands shots from awkward positions, that extra 20 cm can be the difference between a controlled stroke and a compromised one.
This is a purposeful inclusion for serious 3-cushion players who understand that reach and consistency go hand in hand, not a throwaway accessory.
Certilogo Authentication: How to Verify Your Cue Is Genuine
Every Longoni Evoluzione Citrus carries a Certilogo anti-counterfeiting tag. Buyers can verify their cue's authenticity by visiting certilogo.com and entering the unique code on the tag. It takes seconds and confirms that your cue is a genuine Longoni product.
This matters more than you might think. The premium billiards market has a real counterfeit problem, especially for limited-edition models sold online. With only 300 Evoluzione Citrus cues in existence, the risk of encountering fakes increases as demand outpaces supply.
Billiard City, as an authorized Longoni dealer in the US, sells only verified authentic cues. Every Evoluzione Citrus purchased through Billiard City arrives with its genuine Certilogo tag intact. For a cue with collectibility and resale value, that authentication is essential.
Who Should Buy the Longoni Evoluzione Citrus
This cue serves three distinct buyers well:
- Serious 3-cushion carom players who want a world-champion-designed performance cue with cutting-edge shaft and butt technology. The Luna Nera shaft, VP2 joint, and HEXA-CORE construction are built for players who demand precision at the competitive level.
- Collectors looking for a limited-edition investment piece. With only 300 produced globally and Certilogo authentication, the Evoluzione Citrus holds real long-term value.
- Billiard club owners and dealers seeking a flagship display or demo cue that represents the best of Italian cue craftsmanship.
Carom billiards accounts for roughly 28% of the global billiards equipment market and continues to grow as a passionate niche in the United States. The Evoluzione Citrus is well positioned as a gateway cue for serious US players stepping into 3-cushion competition.
The Longoni Evoluzione Citrus Carom Cue is available exclusively through Billiard City, the authorized US Longoni dealer. Orders over $99 ship free, and most deliveries arrive within 2 to 5 business days. You won't find this cue with authorized dealer support on third-party marketplaces.
Final Verdict: A Signature Cue Worth Its Limited-Edition Status
The Evoluzione Citrus brings together everything that makes a cue special: a 300-piece limited production run, Marco Zanetti's world-champion design input, HEXA-CORE butt technology with CNC-machined ergal aluminum, the Luna Nera carbon fiber shaft, a VP2 ultra-firm joint, and Certilogo authentication for verified genuineness.
Behind all of it stands Longoni's 80-plus years of Italian craftsmanship. Every cue is still made at the Mariano Comense factory under strict in-house quality control, the same way it has been done since 1945.
If you are considering adding this cue to your collection or your game, visit Billiard City to check availability. With only 300 pieces produced worldwide, stock is limited and won't last. As the authorized US Longoni dealer, Billiard City is the only place to purchase with full manufacturer support and fast domestic shipping.
