The V12 alone produces 814 horsepower at 9,250 rpm, redlines at 9,500, and has three electric motors.
Lamborghini is officially entering the plug-in hybrid supercar sphere, detailing a new 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 and tri-motor plug-in hybrid system developing 1,001 horsepower that will power the successor to the Lamborghini Aventador, codenamed LB744.
After months of spy shots, guessing, design leaks, and one official teaser, Lamborghini has finally revealed the first details of its first High-Performance Electrified Vehicle (HPEV) hybrid supercar. We're sure Lamborghini already has a famous fighting bull-inspired name in mind, but we'll only find that out once the Aventador successor makes its debut.
Lamborghini does state that the car will make its debut shortly, but in the run-up to the reveal, it's releasing a few choice details.
The new L545 6.5-liter engine is the lightest and most powerful V12 engine Lamborghini has ever produced. The engine is rotated 180 degrees compared to the Aventador's layout. By itself, the ICE part of the powertrain produces 814 horsepower at 9,250 rpm. The limiter kicks in a 9,500 rpm. Most impressive is the specific power output of 126.2 hp per liter, which is the highest in Lambo's history. Maximum torque from the V12 is 535 lb-ft, available at 6,750 rpm.
And don't worry about the V12's ability to make your ears bleed. "From the very beginning, Lamborghini cars were famed for their uniquely emotional and unmistakable sound. Particular attention has been lavished on the 'soundtrack' of the new L545 to emphasize the tone of the engine, already melodious at low revs and then rising to a natural harmonious crescendo," the press release states.
Like all big Lambo's, the LB744 will be four-wheel-drive, but for the first time, it will be an eAWD system. The V12 will not be connected to the front axle and will exclusively power the rear wheels. A pair of electric motors will power the front wheels. Each wheel will have its own electric motor, allowing Lamborghini to use torque vectoring to improve the driving experience. The front electric motors are also responsible for energy recovery, which is sent to a 3.8 kWh battery located in the center tunnel where the driveshaft used to be.
Since there is no mechanical connection between the front and rear, the LB744 can be driven in full electric mode. Only the front wheels are driven in EV mode, which also handle reversing duty, though the rear system can kick in if there's not enough power.
Obviously, the powertrain output and layout are the big news, but none of it would be possible without the all-new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission developed in-house. The gearbox is mounted transversally behind the longitudinal V12 engine, which leaves space in the tunnel for the previously mentioned lithium-ion battery.
According to Lamborghini, this also helps with weight distribution, keeping most of the weight within the wheelbase and as low as possible. We don't expect the weight penalty to be massive. The three electric motors weigh 41 pounds a piece, while the weight of the battery is unknown. However, it has a capacity of just 3.8 kWh, which is tiny for a PHEV, and the reason it can be fully charged at a household outlet in 30 mins or by the engine in six minutes. These gains will likely be offset by the V12 and transmission, both of which are lighter than before.
We're sure more news will filter through leading up to the imminent launch of Lamborghini's new big bad bull.
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