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Lamborghini to 'reinvent' its supercars with hybrid V10 and V12 powerplants


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Lamborghini is determined to stick with naturally aspirated engines for its super-sports models despite many of its rivals switching to turbocharging to enhance performance and reduce emissions.

 

The company’s technical director, Maurizio Reggiani, also said that he is intent on resisting any pressure to reduce the number of cylinders in its next generation of supercars.

 

“Every car has a mission, and based on that mission you have to choose the right engine,” Reggiani said. “For the [urus SUV] the decision was turbo, but we will continue to choose natural aspiration for the super-sports cars. In the future, we will need to take account of fuel consumption and emissions. I am convinced the naturally aspirated engine coupled with a hybrid system can be the right answer.”

 

The Huracán replacement, due in 2022, is likely to become a plug-in hybrid, but Reggiani hinted that the Aventador arriving before then will also switch to part-electric power.

 

He said: “We need to reinvent this icon without [losing] the characteristics of the current car: carbonfibre, the V12 naturally aspirated engine and other components. Looking forward, if it is a hybrid then in what ways can we compensate for its weight?”

 

Reggiani admits that he sees battery density, and the need to accommodate a significant number of cells, as being nearly as much of a problem as weight for sports cars. Lamborghini is working on a project with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston to develop carbonfibre bodywork that can act as a storage battery as well as superconductors.

 

Last year, the Italian car maker revealed the electric Terzo Millennio concept, created with MIT, which showcased next-generation energy storage systems and innovative materials.

 

Reggiani also said that an electrical drivetrain may help to civilise a version of the current Aventador’s sometimes aggressive single-clutch transmission: “You could use the electric motor to ensure that you don’t have torque interruption.”

 

As well as his commitment to a naturally aspirated V12 for the Aventador replacement, Reggiani is planning for the next Huracán to stick with a non-turbo 10-cylinder engine. “The reaction you have to a 10-cylinder engine you cannot have from any other kind. This is what our customers love,” he said. “Why do I need to do something different? If I trust in the naturally aspirated engine, why downgrade my powertrain to a V8 or V6? I am Lamborghini, I am the top of the pinnacle of super-sports cars. I want to stay where I am.”

 

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry...v12-powerplants

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Huracan facelift must be close then, probably will debut at 2019 Geneva Motor Show. RWS and 48-volt system will be the new features from what I heard. A significant bump in power (30-40 HP more than today`s 610-4) is almost guaranteed too. Wonder if they will spend money on facelifting the RWD model though as it hasn`t been as successful as the 610 and the rest of the Huracan range...

 

Aventador replacement is probably 2 years away judging from these recent news. A certain thing for sure is that ISR transmission won`t live past SVJ and potentially that special limited edition model.

Wonder how they will fit the 918 esque hybrid system to the V12 for the replacement of A though. The current Aventador CF chassis isn`t fit for that. Lamborghini will need to make changes to the chassis if not make a new CF monocoque in order to fit the hybrid system and reduce the weight penalty of it on top of fitting a DCT transmission into it.

 

 

Great to hear that they are keeping the soul of the cars though. Among the vaccum cleaners from Ferrari and McLaren, Lamborghini remains unique among the crowd of supercarmakers.

 

Heard recently Ferrari considers to downsize the one that comes after 488 to a twin turbo V6. :(

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Music to my ears, the hybrid system is a perfect compromise to appease the soul, fun sucking greenies LOL

 

NA motors will be Lamborghini’s USP, extremely clever from a marketing perspective also retaining what’s one of the most exciting things in a sports car, the sound!

 

Great times ahead for Lamborghini.

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Would be easy for either of the cars to use the current engine in rwd configuration and electric motors driving the front.

 

Can the same rear/front torque splits still be provided?

 

If the gas engine provides say 550 hp, and the electric 125 hp, you're looking at 80/20.

 

Not sure you could get 60/40 if you wanted to.

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They’d be crazy to give up their positioning as the only NA offering in the segment. As discussed before, electrification is the way to do it. Like Porsche, they have carved out a sweet spot for themselves that doesn’t require being the absolute fastest or you lose.

 

That tidbit about single clutch in the next Aventador shocks me and must scare the hell out of most.

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That tidbit about single clutch in the next Aventador shocks me and must scare the hell out of most.

 

Exactly what I was thinking, I will not buy a single clutch in the replacement, I will stick with the V10.

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Single Clutch is amazing for the experience of it all in my experience. But living with it I can see why people complain. But in my perfect world a supercar should be far more stripped and raw than they are today and the single clutch is welcome there. Because you should not use a V12 Lambo daily imo. It should be like a fine wine you pop out every now and then to enjoy. But what do Lambo care about my opinion :P I can't afford any of their cars anyways ... :P

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