Like Porsche, McLaren, and Ferrari before Lamborghini now has a hybrid car, but in true Lamborghini fashion it’s completely different than anything else out there with unveiling at the Paris Auto Show.
Taking its name from Greek mythology, the Asterion is the proper name for the Minotaur, a hybrid creature, part bull and part human. The name keeps Lamborghini’s traditional nomenclature intact, with the name taken from the world of bulls.
Like its namesake, the Asterion will combine the best features of two worlds, an internal combustion motor and electric motors via a plug-in hybrid.
The Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4, a technology demonstrator that combines significantly reduced carbon monoxide emissions, while still giving a driving experience that is truly indicative of Lamborghini with incredible driveability and still plenty of power on tap, all with a 50 kilometer all electric range.
In order to have the Asterion, truly be a Lamborghini and not have too many characteristics of its German counterparts, it was developed completely in-house.
Although it is not going too sent into production, the car shows what Lamborghini can build.
“Lamborghini is always looking ahead, investing in new technologies and setting new benchmarks, delivering the unexpected,” Stephen Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said.
Yes, it is slightly unexpected as it seems like; Lamborghini needs a competitor to the current crop of hybrid hypercars, instead what is presented is an entirely new type of car that Lamborghini is billing as a hybrid “hyper cruiser.”
Built around a carbon fiber monocoque, the Asterion has a 5.2 liter V-10 producing 610 horsepower mounted in the middle mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
All of this seems like pretty standard fair for a Lamborghini, but it all get a little different from there.
The 4 in the name denotes the fact that Asterion is four-wheel drive and driving two of the wheels, specifically the two front wheels are two electric motors producing 300 horsepower and during full electric mode are only the two driven wheels.
Still even with the addition of lithium ion batteries in the central tunnel of the car weight is only increased by 250 kilograms over a regular powertrain.
Combining these two propulsion systems results in a zero to 62 time of three seconds and top speed of 320 kilometers per hour.
Fuel economy is upwards of 60 miles per gallon with the car capable of traveling 31 miles on pure electric at a top speed of 78 miles per hour.
Looking at the exterior of the Asterion it is a much more restrained design then some of the older stable, but still definitely a Lamborghini, maybe more Huracan, then Aventador.
Getting deeper into the lines it appears that it could very easily be a 2+2, but as of right now, no word on that.
Summing up the project perfectly is what Wikelmann who described the project as a more luxurious driving experience instead of one that is aimed at absolute performance.
So when it’s all said and done, yes it is still a Lamborghini, but surprisingly restrained for the brand and a little different then all before it.
