Here’s our first real life look at Lamborghini’s new Asterion LPI 910-4 hybrid supercar concept that combines a V10 engine with three electric motors.
The Italians revealed the new two-seater model during a special event organized by parent company VW Group ahead of the Paris Auto Show where it will have its world premiere.
It’s Lamborghini’s first stab at a plug-in hybrid model and one that somewhat distances itself from the brand’s tempestuous nature, not only for its greener mechanical choices but also for its softer, less madcap styling that has some hints of the Miura…and the DeTomaso Pantera.
Similarly, the interior has some references to the Miura like the three spoke steering wheel design.
For those of you wondering about the name, Asterion is another title for the Greek mythology’s Minotaur, while LP stands for ‘longitudinale posteriore’, the position of the conventional V12 engine, I for ‘ibrido’ or hybrid in English, 910 for the system power and 4 for the permanent 4WD system.
Unlike other AWD Lamborghinis though, the Asterion’s 5.2-liter V10 delivering 610PS (602bhp) and 413 lb-ft that’s borrowed from the Huracan drives the rear wheels only through a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, while two electric motors situated within the front axle turn the front wheels. A third electric motor is placed within the transmission.
The three brushless electric motors put out a combined 296hp (300PS) and are fed by a lithium ion battery pack mounted in the central tunnel area, normally reserved for the transmission.
Lamborghini says the added weight of the hybrid technology is 250kg (551 lbs).
The hybrid system has a total output of 910PS (898hp) with the Asterion completing the 0-100km/h (62mph) in 3.0 seconds before topping out at 199mph (320km/h).
Lamborghini claims it can go up to 125km/h (78mph) under electric power alone, in which case, the Asterion is front-wheel drive only.
It returns a combined fuel economy of 4.2l/100km (67mpg UK / 55.8 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 98 g/km, and has a pure electric driving range of 50km (31 miles).
Lamborghini’s plans for the concept aren’t clear yet, but that could be because it wants to get some feedback from the public before it makes a decision.
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