Might it’s that plug-in hybrid tech works higher in a $1 million supercar than any SUV, sedan or wagon costing one-tenth as a lot?
Within the case of the brand new Lamborghini Revuelto, the corporate’s first-ever PHEV, the reply is ‘Sure, it does’.
Propelled by a 6.5-litre V12 engine behind its two-seat cabin and three electrical motors, the carbon-fibre bodied Revuelto is quicker, extra highly effective, and extra gasoline environment friendly than the non-hybrid Aventador it replaces.
It’s additionally a lot, far more pleasurable to drive. PHEV tech makes it a much better Lamborghini supercar. It’s totally different with on a regular basis PHEVs, which include a number of disadvantages.
They’re short-range EVs, however with the added complexity and upkeep prices that include an ICE.
As hybrids they’re burdened with the additional weight and price of a bigger, space-consuming battery pack. Which makes them the worst of each worlds. A less expensive plain hybrid or a correct EV for comparable cash each appear like smarter selections than a PHEV.
A Ferrari beater?
As with Ferrari’s flagship, SF90 Stradale of 2020, PHEV-tech provides quite a bit to the flexibility of Lamborghini’s high mannequin. As we came upon at its worldwide dynamic launch on the on the Autodromo Vallelunga north of Rome, the Revuelto is a thriller.
Its electrical motors not solely increase the already stupendous straight-line efficiency of the Revuelto’s V12, they’re additionally cleverly engineered to extend cornering grip, enhance steering precision by means of torque vectoring and increase braking energy by means of recuperation.
The Lamborghini’s acceleration is just brutal.
Simply 2.5 seconds 0-100km/h – identical as Ferrari’s super-PHEV – is the official declare, and the Revuelto feels able to doing it. The Lamborghini’s different key efficiency stats – 0-200km/h in 7.0 seconds, high velocity of greater than 350km/h, and a most mixed energy output of 747kW – are all in the identical ballpark because the Ferrari.
Nonetheless, there are essential variations in the best way the 2 supercars drive.
The Lamborghini’s mighty engine all the time runs in its on a regular basis Strada, speedier Sport and track-only Corsa driving modes. The Ferrari has a Hybrid mode for on a regular basis driving, and this stops and begins its twin-turbo V8 engine… similar to in a traditional hybrid. It’s the automobile’s default mode on start-up. Lamborghini clearly believes the sound of an unique engine is an important supercar expertise ingredient, and so they’re most likely proper.
![2024 Lamborghini Revuelto PHEV](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/639388-1024x683.jpg)
Just like the SF90 Stradale, the Revuelto might be pushed in pure electrical mode. Lamborghini’s label is Citta. This mode delivers all-wheel drive within the Lamborghini, however within the Ferrari’s electric-only mode solely the entrance wheels are pushed.
The Revuelto’s PHEV drivetrain reduces gasoline consumption – by round 35 p.c in comparison with the outgoing Aventador, in accordance with Lamborghini engineers – and allows short-range electric-only driving. Pushed at low velocity round 10 to 12km is feasible, it’s claimed. The SF90 Stradale, in distinction, is nice for as much as 25km.
A silent lap of Vallelunga
Pushed as rapidly as potential in Citta mode – which limits velocity to 140km/h and energy to 130kW – the Revuelto manages somewhat a couple of lap of the 4.0km Vallelunga circuit earlier than its V12 bursts into life.
As homologation for public highway use of the Revuelto wasn’t full on the time of its presentation to worldwide media, it was solely potential to drive it on the Vallelunga circuit.
So the way it goes, stops, rides and handles on regular roads stays a query to be answered at one other time. However, we did discover out all about its brilliance on the observe, the place it’s an much more involving and entertaining drive than the SF90 Stradale.
![2024 Lamborghini Revuelto PHEV](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/639366-1024x614.jpg)
The Lamborghini by no means appears to expire of grip or brakes. The steering is delicately exact, there’s good suggestions by means of the agency brake pedal and the acceleration out of Vallelunga’s tight corners is, within the true sense of the phrase, superior.
In accordance with Rouven Mohr, the corporate’s chief technical officer, the Revuelto’s vitality recuperation technique is engineered to make sure 100% availability of most efficiency.
“The consequence is that you just can’t empty the battery,” Mohr says, which means there’s all the time energy obtainable for the electrical motors so as to add their 140kW increase to the V12 engine’s output.
Having emptied the Revuelto’s battery pack in Citta mode, as talked about, we return to Vallelunga’s pit lane after two extra brisk laps in Strada and Sport modes. The battery gauge exhibits it’s 75 p.c charged.
The Revuelto PHEV in somewhat extra element
First, the ICE. Lamborghini’s current 6.5-litre V12 from the Aventador was redesigned for the Revuelto. And given a brand new codename.
To allow larger revs and elevated energy, its cylinder heads and exhaust system have been redesigned and its compression ratio elevated. The underside finish of the engine, together with the cylinder block, crankshaft, con-rods and pistons, wanted solely small alterations in accordance with Mohr.
![2024 Lamborghini Revuelto PHEV](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/639398-1024x683.jpg)
The outcomes are 607kW at 9250rpm, and a sky-high 9500rpm cut-out. And one of many automotive world’s extra memorable exhaust notes from the Revuelto’s high-mounted pipes.
There are three 110kW electrical motors. Two are related to every of the entrance wheels. They’re compact, oil-cooled axial flux models made by Yasa, the identical Mercedes-Benz-owned British firm that provides one of many three e-motors for the Ferrari SF90 Stradale. The third is a traditional axial-flux machine, and it’s bolted to the Revuelto’s new eight-speed double clutch transmission.
Just like the crudely clunky seven-speed single-clutch transmission used within the Aventador, this transmission is made by Italian specialist Dana Graziano. The brand new eight-speed shifts extra easily.
The Lamborghini’s engine sits lengthways within the automobile, however the transmission connected to its rear is put in sideways. The 90-degree change of path is by way of bevel gears which are between the transmission’s twin clutches and its enter shafts.
It’s a sophisticated piece of equipment. However its innards are very cleverly organized. The externally mounted electrical motor can ship an influence increase to the rear wheels, recuperate vitality when slowing or braking, cost the battery whereas the automobile is stationary, present traction management operate when required and in addition act as a starter motor for the V12.
There’s no reverse gear within the transmission. The Revuelto makes use of its entrance e-motors to push the automobile backwards, similar to the SF90 Stradale.
![2020 Ferrari SF90 Stradale](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3LOR0072-1024x683.jpg)
The transmission was purpose-designed for Lamborghini and no-one else, and the corporate plans to make use of it in future fashions. The plain candidate is the upcoming alternative for the Huracan sports activities automobile.
Revuelto’s lithium-ion battery pack is housed within the tunnel between the seats in its comparatively roomy cabin. Its 3.8kWh storage capability explains the Lamborghini’s meagre electric-only vary. Although small, the battery pack’s most energy output is 140kW, whereas its most recuperation energy enter is simply barely much less.
The charging port is inside the baggage compartment, sufficiently big for 2 carry-on trolleys, within the Revuelto’s nostril. Contemplating the effectiveness of the automobile’s recuperation system, Lamborghini doesn’t imagine most homeowners will wish to hassle with plugging in. Even so, they’ve taken this under consideration.
The bonnet latch might be flipped in order that the compartment might be locked with the bonnet in a barely raised place, leaving sufficient room for a charging cable to be related.
![2024 Lamborghini Revuelto PHEV](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/639379-1024x614.jpg)
A shift in supercar superiority?
Though Ferrari beat them to market, the Revuelto may very well be one of the best mid-engine, all-wheel-drive, two-seat tremendous sports activities PHEV Italy has to date produced.
First deliveries of the brand new Lamborghini in Australia are scheduled for the primary quarter of 2024, says Federico Foschini, the corporate’s international gross sales and advertising chief. It can put on a price-tag of $987,000, however he expects each buyer will add some optionally available extras.
“I believe it’s one of the best automobile within the section,” Foschini says. “I’m not evaluating it with anybody,” he provides, simply in case anybody may suppose he’s simply implied the Revuelto is healthier than the Ferrari SF90 Stradale… the one different automobile within the Italian-made plug-in hybrid supercar class.
Factor is, he may very well be proper. And even when he’s not, it doesn’t actually matter. Lamborghini can solely produce 1500 Revueltos a 12 months… and it’s already holding greater than 3000 orders for its first-ever PHEV.
![2024 Lamborghini Revuelto PHEV](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/639374-1024x576.jpg)
2024 Lamborghini Revuelto specs
Worth: $987,000
Fundamentals: PHEV, 2 seats, 2 doorways, sports activities automobile, e-AWD
EV Vary: 10-12km (Lamborghini estimate)
Battery capability: 3.8kWh
Battery guarantee: Unknown
Power consumption: To be homologated
ICE: 6.5-litre V12, 607kW/725Nm
E-motors: 1 rear, radial-flux, 110kW/150Nm, 2 entrance, axial-flux, oil-cooled, 110kW/350Nm
AC charging: Sort 2 plug
DC charging: NA
0-100km/h: 2.5 seconds (claimed)