Lamborghini Sian: The first hybrid super car

Lamborghini has unveiled the Sián, a limited-edition supercar that uses hybrid propulsion combining a 785 horsepower V12 engine with an electric motor powered by supercapacitors recharged under braking.

A little less than two years ago, Lamborghini unveiled its spectacular concept car Terzo Millennio co-developed with MIT. One of the peculiarities of this electric model was to use supercapacitors in place of the usual lithium-ion batteries. The manufacturer of Sant’Agata has found the way to exploit this technology in a hybrid propulsion model that he just unveiled before the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Lamborghini Sián is presented as the fastest Lamborghini in the history of the brand. Under the bonnet, 819 horsepower distributed between the V12 engine in the central position of 785 hp and the 34 hp of the electric motor 48 volts incorporated in the gearbox.

The latter is powered by supercapacitors which are fully recharged by the energy generated during braking. The main advantage over batteries is obviously the weight gain. The electrical system of Sián weighs only 34 kg, including the engine.

In addition, supercapacitors offer higher charge and discharge rates than batteries and recharge almost instantly without loss of performance over cycles. ”  They are three times more powerful than a battery of the same weight and three times lighter than a battery producing the same power, ” says the Italian manufacturer.

If the electrical part of Sián can seem anecdotal, it plays a very specific role. Indeed, during acceleration, when the passage of a report causes deceleration and a drop in torque, the electric motor comes to take over to erase the effect of jerk well known on the boxes of sequential speeds. Lamborghini promises that his system will eliminate jerky movement and keep the rider seated in his seat for perfectly linear acceleration. Low-speed maneuvers, especially for parking, will also be electric propulsion.

The interior of the Lamborghini Sián will be fully customizable. © Lamborghini

The most powerful Lamborghini engine

With this hybrid propulsion, the Lamborghini Sián is the model with the best acceleration of the brand, with a 0 to 100 km / h swallowed in 2.8 seconds. The advertised top speed is 350 km / h. But make no mistake, the Sián is primarily a racing car with a petrol engine. Its V12 at 8,500 rpm equipped with titanium valves is the most powerful out of Lamborghini factories.

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In terms of design, the manufacturer claims the legacy of the Lamborghini Countach designed by Marcello Gandini, whose spirit is found in the profile and the front hood of the Sián. The Y-shaped front lights are from the Terzo Millennio. The taut and pure lines flirt with aeronautics, giving the Sián style as airy as it is aggressive.

This exceptional racing car will only be produced with 63 copies, all of which will be personalized according to customers’ wishes. The Lamborghini Sián will make its first public appearance at the next Frankfurt auto show. The opportunity to discover more in detail and learn more about its price and availability.