At the Paris Motor Show this week Lamborghini unveiled the Asterion LPI 910-4 Concept, the company’s first plug-in hybrid super-car.
And if you think being a hybrid means this bull has become a steer headed for the slow lane with Prius drivers, think again. A V10 and three electric motors deliver some 910 horsepower when combined.
That’s enough power to accelerate from 0-60 in under 3 seconds and motor to a top speed of nearly 200 mph. In electric mode the Lamborghini Asterion can travel up to 30 miles and at speeds up to 75 mph with that V10 turned off
The power-train starts with a 5.2 liter 610 horsepower V10 mounted mid-ship as in other Lamborghini models which drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
A center tunnel mounted lithium-ion battery pack which can be plugged in to charge, powers the front wheels with two separate electric motors. A third motor generator is located between the V-10 and its transmission. All together the electric motors provide up to 300 horsepower on their own.
With this power-train the Lamborghini Asterion can drive in hybrid mode, combining the V10 with all three electric motors through all four-wheels. In electric mode, the front wheels operate independently of the V10.
Lamborghini says the the hybrid drive-train adds 550 lbs to the Asterion who’s name comes from a mythical Minotaur. Asterion is a hybrid figure part man and part bull, a name seemingly created centuries ago to be lent to this car.
The Asterion’s carbon fiber monocoque body structure and style are typical Lamborghini with curves and forms that are just shy of needing to be hidden from children’s eyes. In case you were curious, those wheels are 20” and 21” inches in size.
The Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4 is a concept for now, but don’t be surprised to see on in production before the decade is out. For more news and test drives of hybrid or electric vehicles see our partner channel Motoring2.com.
