Every time Lamborghini comes up with a new supercar, the folks at Ferrari must become pretty restless. Their rivalry is the stuff of legends, and their cars are always featured in heated comparisons over the media. Which one wins motoring journalists over or the hearts and minds of enthusiasts is always cause for much debate. Ferrari’s legacy and amazing cars helped it maintain that high ground in the battles that ensued against Lamborghini, but if taking into consideration Lamborghini’s latest years, it seems these two passionate Italian super sports brands are closer to each other than ever before.
Adding fuel to the fire, things are about to become pretty heated since Lamborghini officially revealed the successor to the Aventador, and the car is mighty impressive indeed. Presented as part of the celebration of the brand’s 60th anniversary, the Lamborghini Revuelto claims the title of the first hybrid plug-in V-12 supercar or as Lamborghini likes to say it, HPEV or High-Performance Electrified Vehicle.
The Revuelto Has A Unique Design Without Breaking Away From The Lamborghini DNA
Even though by looking at it most people would instantly recognize it as a Lamborghini, the Revuelto is one of the most aggressive-looking Lamborghinis ever designed, and those looks follow function, because this supercar boasts highly efficient aerodynamics and an innovative carbon frame. The optimal aerodynamics were achieved by combining high downforce with minimal drag. For this to be possible, the rear wing is active and changes position accordingly to ensure the best aerodynamic setup for any driving scenario. Even though the wing can change autonomously to adapt to the situation, the driver can set it at a specific position choosing more downforce or less drag, through a command in the steering wheel. Lamborghini claims it was able to increase the front and the back aerodynamic load of the Revuelto, in comparison to the Aventador Ultimae by 33- and 74-percent respectively, while under maximum load.
The usual Lamborghini design DNA is there, but the style feels more combative, hostile even. There is a touch of the 1971 Lamborghini Countach prototype on the side profile of the car, while the front is reminiscent of the Murcielago. The design also draws inspiration from the legendary Diablo, and the scissors doors are present as well. They say cars are meant to be driven, but the Revuelto looks so much like a piece of art that it wouldn’t be surprising to see it adorning the living rooms of people fortunate enough to afford one. Its starting MSRP is estimated to begin at $890,000.
The Revuelto Carries On With Lamborghini's V-12 Legacy
The Lamborghini Revuelto’s powertrain is incredibly potent. Its 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V-12 engine is entirely new and makes 814 horsepower by itself. That’s a naturally aspirated ICE engine that makes more than 125 horsepower per liter. To put this in perspective, it would be like having a naturally aspirated 2.0 engine making 250 horsepower, a figure the industry usually reaches by the use of a turbocharger.
But that’s not all as this is a hybrid-plug-in supercar, and the Revuelto has three electric motors, one of which is positioned on top of the first eight-speed dual-clutch transmission ever used on a 12-cylinder Lamborghini. The other two axial flux electric motors are up front, connected to the front wheels individually, and can move the Revuelto in full electric mode. Not only that, they provide real-time torque vectoring through turns to increase cornering performance. The battery pack chemistry is lithium-ion and has a high specific power of 4500 W/kg. Combining the electric motors and the V-12 engine, the total power output reaches 1,001 horsepower.
The Revuelto Is The Pillar Base On Which Future Lamborghinis Will Be Built
Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini’s Chairman, and CEO noted that the Lamborghini Revuelto is a very important car for the brand during its steady transition toward electrification, but at the same time, it remains true to Lamborghini’s DNA, particularly because of the traditional V-12 ICE. The implementation of hybrid technology helps the Revuelto deliver the thrills Lamborghini’s customers want, while at the same time allowing for reduced emissions. The use of carbon fiber has been pushed a step further in the Lamborghini Revuelto. It is not only the main structural element of the car, but it is also used in many other parts of the bodywork. The goal was to combine carbon fiber as well as other lightweight materials to achieve another record for Lamborghini as the Revuelto has the best power-to-weight ratio of any Lamborghini to date.
Lamborghini Made Sure The Revuelto Performed As A True Supercar
Performance figures are predictably impressive, with a 0-62 mph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of over 217 MPH. With all-wheel-drive, torque vectoring, and optimal aerodynamics, the successor to the Lamborghini Aventador will be able to be experienced to its fullest on a track day or responsibly during short bouts of canyon carving or weekend runs. This is an insanely powerful supercar, but all that power comes wrapped in a package advanced enough to be able to tame it and not let things get out of hand unpredictably for the driver.
Lamborghini has increased the stakes in the super sports world leading the way with a bold, aerospace-inspired design language that precedes the electrification challenges of the near future. From the outside, the Revuelto looks muscular from every angle, and the interior is driver-oriented, following a philosophy of making whoever sits behind the wheel feel like a race car driver. That is not to say that the passenger is neglected. The Lamborghini Revuelto displays to the passenger the same information the driver sees. The interior has three digital screens that allowed Lamborghini to eliminate most of the unnecessary physical buttons.
The Lamborghini Revuelto is already a classic. And it is a car that will unquestionably help shape the future of super sports. Its aerospace looks, exquisite powertrain, and monstrous performance make this a supercar for the ages. Years from now the name Revuelto will resonate strongly as evocative of a machine that inspired the hearts and minds of many supercar aficionados.