Is Lamborghini Betting on Hybrid Electric Performance?

• In the search for modern performance gains, Lamborghini is committing to its first road-going, electrified supercar, codenamed the LB744.

• Set for debut later this year, the LB744 will be powered by a newly developed 6.5-liter V12 and three 110-kW electric motors, for a total of 1001 hp and 534 lb-ft of torque.

• A new eight-speed double-clutch transmission was also developed for the incoming model, with an electric motor embedded in the transmission itself to provide additional torque off the line.

The Lamborghini name is synonymous with a symphony of 48 valves opening and closing, gated shifters clicking into place, and an overriding boisterousness that accompanies driving an Italian supercar. But inside these wedged-shaped packages is a historic pedigree of true performance, with both speed and handling honed and maximized by Bolognese engineers. As we move further into the 21st century, however, producing emissions-compliant large-displacement, naturally aspirated engines is increasingly difficult—and the results are often not as fast.

From Chevrolet and its new Corvette E-Ray to national competitor Ferrari and its move to hybrid power, electrification is no longer for environmentalists only. In fact, electrification has proven itself to be a useful tool in the development of power, and Lamborghini is now ready to tap into this technology. The company is unveiling some initial details about its first high-performance electrified vehicle, codenamed LB744, set to be debuted later this year.

For starters, the model will be powered by a naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 mid-mounted engine augmented by three electric motors, with a lithium-ion battery pack installed in the transmission tunnel. Altogether, the LB744 is said to make 1001 hp and 534 lb-ft of torque, fed through a rear-mounted, electric-motor-driven double-clutch transmission. Best of all, the addition of these electric motors will allow the model to drive short distances in full-electric mode.

The LB744 will not be the first Lamborghini to use an electric motor—that honor belongs to the 2019 Lamborghini Sian—but it signals a new beginning for Lamborghini. And that's not just a result of electrification. Lamborghini says that the L545 V12 it plans to use will be a newly developed one with a unique orientation, rotating it 180 degrees into a transverse position as compared to the current V12 Aventador. The company also claims this V12 has the highest output per liter of any Lamborghini V12 (set at 126-hp per liter), will weigh only 480 pounds, and has a maximum revolution range of 9500 rpm.