Lamborghini’s New V-12 Is a 1001-HP Three-Motor Plug-in Hybrid

Lamborghini’s New V-12 Is a 1001-HP Three-Motor Plug-in Hybrid
  • Lamborghini broadcasts a brand new, hybridized 6.5-liter V-12 powertrain that makes as much as 1001 horsepower.
  • It options three electrical motors, two up entrance and one built-in to a brand new, Lamborghini-designed, eight-speed double-clutch transmission.
  • The complete automotive might be proven—and its title revealed—on the finish of the month.

We won’t present you what the alternative for the Lamborghini Aventador appears to be like like but, and even let you know its title—the corporate refers to it solely by the interior code, LB744. However we are able to share particulars on its extraordinary new plug-in-hybrid powertrain.

The excellent news is the continued existence of a naturally aspirated V-12 engine, one which has been core to the attraction of the corporate’s dearer fashions since its basis. The brand new 6.5-liter L545 engine is successfully a heavy improvement of the one which powered the Aventador, however with extra energy, extra revs, much less weight, and a compression ratio raised to 12.6:1. Lamborghini says the brand new engine’s mass of 481 kilos makes it 37 kilos lighter than the Aventador’s V-12, whereas its energy output has elevated to 814 horsepower delivered at a searing 9250 rpm—with the limiter not calling time till 9500 rpm. It additionally makes a peak of 535 pound-feet of torque at 6750 rpm. However whereas the Aventador’s V-12 despatched energy ahead to a single-clutch gearbox positioned forward of it, the brand new engine has been flipped by 180 levels, with energy going by means of a brand new, Lamborghini-designed eight-speed dual-clutch transmission mounted transversely behind it.

lamborghini v12

Lamborghini

However this V-12 is just one a part of the brand new powertrain, being assisted by no fewer than three electrical motors. On the entrance, a pair of axial-flux motors energy every wheel individually, permitting torque vectoring. There is no such thing as a mechanical hyperlink from the engine to the entrance axle; the LB744’s all-wheel-drive system is all the time half electrical.

On the again, a 3rd motor is included into the transmission, which attributable to a intelligent clutching mechanism can swap between appearing as starter motor and generator or including energy to the rear axle. Every motor can ship as much as 148 horsepower, though the mixed peak is all the time lower than 3 times that as a result of present circulation supported by the battery. The utmost mixed output is quoted as an impressively potent 1001 horsepower—barely greater than the Ferrari SF90 Stradale.

Electrical cost is saved in a compact 3.8-kWh battery pack that sits in what would beforehand have been thought of the transmission tunnel inside the cabin, permitting a low seating place on both facet of it. Lamborghini hasn’t launched a weight declare for the battery, however for reference the claimed capability is way lower than the corresponding figures for the Ferrari 296GTB and SF90, and in addition the McLaren Artura, suggesting the Lambo’s must be lighter and supply fewer electrical miles. We do have weight figures for the entrance motors—41 kilos—and the double-clutch transmission, which is 425 kilos together with the load of the integral electrical motor.

lamborghini v12

Lamborghini

When depleted, the battery will be recharged from a socket, by way of regenerative braking utilizing the entrance motors, or with the V-12 appearing as a generator. The latter is claimed to utterly replenish the pack in simply six minutes. Due to this fact, it must be attainable to be rapidly introduced again to full power when pushed on monitor. Lamborghini additionally says the brand new DCT gearbox will help a “steady downshifting” operate, holding the left paddle whereas decelerating progressively and deciding on the bottom attainable gear as pace falls.

Lamborghini guarantees to launch extra technical particulars of the brand new automotive earlier than the completed model is formally unveiled on the finish of the month. We’ll preserve you posted.

Automobile and driverAutomobile and driver Lettermark emblem

European Editor

Mike Duff has been writing concerning the auto trade for 20 years and calls the UK dwelling, though he usually lives life on the highway. He loves previous vehicles and journey in unlikely locations, with profession highlights together with driving to Chernobyl in a Lada.