Lamborghini is back in competition with its first hybrid car known as Asterion LPI 910-4, which comes with a 910-hp Engine and is is capable of a range of 50 km with all-electric drive. The car can produce power that puts it at par with the LeFerrari and McLaren P1, however, the range is exceptionally good if you consider the fact that the P1 is able to execute a drive of 10 km only in its all-electric mode. The ‘I’ in Asterion LPI 910-4 stands for ‘ibrido’ which is Italian for hybrid. Asterion is named after the Minotaur (a mythical half-man, half-bull creature) and Lamborghini says that it represents “a powerful fusion between intellect and instinct.”
The Asterion comes with Huracán’s 610-hp 5.20liter V10 engine. The engine is mounted longitudinally amid ships and has 2 electric motors that are mounted at the front while the third motor is placed between the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and the V10. The last unit also has a starter motor and generator and is capable of working in harmony with the generator and front motors in hybrid 4WD mode. The car has an all-electric FWD mode and a gas engine mode as well. The four power plants which are incorporated into the vehicle create a 910-hp worth power generation and help it go from 0 to 62 Mph in 3 seconds flat with a top speed of 320 Km/hr. Asterion has a fuel efficiency of 4.1L/100 km.
Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini CEO, said, “Lamborghini continues to focus on weight reduction as a means of reducing CO2, for example, through the investment in carbon fiber engineering, which also contributes to our quest for the best super sports car handling and performance. To significantly reduce emissions on a car in this moment, however, plug-in electrification is the best option for us because for Lamborghini, such a car must still provide a truly emotional driving experience. In the Asterion this is guaranteed through a naturally aspirated engine that is combined with PHEV technology, which not only offers exceptionally low CO2 emissions of 98 g/km, but a practical pure electric driving range of 50 km.”
Asterion has been nominated as a technology demonstrator by Lamborghini. Besides, it would be unfair to ignore its styling. It boasts an awesome pair of headlights, double-grid front air intakes, embedded mud guards and a transparent engine cover. The car rides on Pirelli tires on 20/210inch rims.
The press release by Lamborghini didn’t mention the weight of the car, but it did say that the car has been built on a carbon fiber monocoque. The lithium-ion battery has been placed lengthwise at the central tunnel area and this facilitates superior weight balancing as well as enhanced crash protection to the car.
Let’s hope that this car does make its way into the production one day!
