Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4 Super PHEV Unveiled At Paris Auto Show
The luxury car manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini has finally entered the electric car market, via the recent debut of the Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4, the company’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), at the 2014 Paris Mondial de l’Automobile.
Well, since the model is more a technology demonstrator than an actual commercial model, perhaps saying that Lamborghini has entered the market isn’t quite the right way to put it. But it certainly bodes well for the possibility that it will do so in the near future.
While the Asterion is, as stated before, simply a technology demonstrator, it could be produced on the commercial scale pretty much immediately, if Lamborghini so chose.
Here are some specs, coming to us via Green Car Congress:
Conceived and developed entirely in-house by Lamborghini, Asterion’s hybrid system combines a V10 5.2-liter naturally aspirated engine with three electric motors for total power of 669 kW/910 hp, enough for acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 3.0 s and a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph), or up to 125 km/h (78 mph) under pure electric power. All-electric range is 50 km (31 miles). Fuel consumption is 4.12 l/100 km (57 mpg US) combined cycle (NEDC).
Asterion is based on a monocoque made entirely of carbon fiber. The V10 5.2 liter FSI engine is located longitudinally as a mid-engine, as in Lamborghini super sports cars. The extremely fast shifting 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is located behind the engine at the rear transaxle. The housing of the lithium battery is placed longitudinally in the central tunnel area, normally reserved for the transmission. This allows for better balance of the car and also protects the battery area in case of lateral crash impact.
The V10 provides a maximum power output of 449 kW (610 hp) with 560 N·m (413 lbs) of maximum torque available. Combined with the three electric motors providing a further 220 kW (300 hp), total hybrid power is achievable to the maximum of 669 kW (910 hp).
“Lamborghini continues to focus on weight reduction as a means to 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,” stated Stephan Winkelmann, the President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.
“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. The Asterion LPI 910-4 is a true Lamborghini: emotional, with a stunning design, powerful, yet conceived more for comfortable luxury daily cruising than for ultimate track performance.”
Perhaps there’s a bit too much “sales talk” in that quote, but, either way, an interesting potential entry into the luxury EV market. It’ll be interesting to see what Lamborghini does next.
Image Credit: Automobili Lamborghini
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