The Lamborghini Asterion LP 910-4 plug-in hybrid hypercar unveiled at the Paris Auto Show last week is doomed to remain just an exercise of imagination.
At least that’s what Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann says, describing the study as “a technological demonstrator” whose sole purpose is to address legislative pressure to reduce carbon emissions the Lamborghini way.
What this means is that the Asterion study will not spawn a production model to rival the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1 or Porsche 918 Spyder. It wouldn’t be able to anyway, since its battery pack makes it around 330 lbs (150 kg) heavier than each of the hybrid supercars already on sale.
“It’s not meant to go on the racetrack. The acceleration is good and the top speed, but in handling it would be out-beaten by the others. It’s more a hyper-cruiser,” Winkelmann told Maxim magazine in an interview.
Hence the unequivocal verdict from the executive: “I strongly believe that this is not a car that will be in production and we will not do it.” However, Winkelmann conceded that elements of the Asterion hybrid technology could find their way into the upcoming Lamborghini SUV. According to him, that would be “easier in terms of packaging–the extra weight percentage-wise in a vehicle like that is less relevant than on a light car like the super sports cars.”
So does this mean we have to completely abandon the idea of a road-going Asterion? Not necessarily, as Winkelmann didn’t rule out the possibility that a wealthy customer might convince Lamborghini to build a one-off version. There’s a catch, however. “If someone wants one, then we can do maybe one. But not with a hybrid solution, just with normal engine. That would be the V-12 from the Aventador,” Winkelmann said.
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