Lamborghini is serious about bringing its innovative supercapacitor technology to the market with its next-generation range of hybrid vehicles.
In November, it was revealed that Lamborghini and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) had finalized a patent for an innovative synthetic material that could form the basis of new-age supercapacitors even more advanced than those used by the limited-edition Sian FKP 37.
Speaking with Autocar, Lamborghini’s head of research and development project management, Riccardo Bettini, said that the weight requirements of lithium-ion batteries mean they are not the best solution for the Italian marque’s electrification plans.
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“Lamborghini has always been about lightness, performance, enjoyment and engagement. We need to keep that in our super-sports cars in the future,” he said.
The new technology recently patented by Lamborghini and MIT is “at least two to three years” away from being production ready. A related MIT research project is investigating how carbon fiber surfaces can be infused with synthetic materials for energy storage.
“If we can capture and use energy much faster, the car can be lighter. We could also store energy in the bodywork, using the car as a battery, which means we can save weight,” Bettini said of this technology.
Regardless of the tech used by future Lamborghini’s series production models, the marque is keen to ensure it retains screaming internal combustion engines for as long as possible. As a matter of fact, the company has performed various tests that underline the importance of an evocative soundtrack for its owners.
“We’ve tested with professional drivers in our simulator and switched the sound off,” Bettini revealed. “We know from the neurological signals that when you stop the sound, the engagement falls because the feedback disappears. We need to find the sound of Lamborghini for the future that can allow our cars to retain emotion and engagement.”
