We got an early look at Lamborghini's first electrified supercar. See the $600,000 Revuelto.

Thu, 04/06/2023 - 08:39

Tech Insider

• Lamborghini just revealed the Revuelto, its first plug-in supercar. 
• The hybrid can travel around 6 miles on electric power only and cranks out more than 1,000 horsepower. 
• We got an early look at the groundbreaking model, which will start at just over $600,000. 

Lamborghini, known for its screaming V12 engines and ludicrously powerful sports cars, is going electric.

Its first gasoline-free model arrives later this decade, but Lambo is kicking off its new direction with a plug-in hybrid called the Revuelto.

We got an early look at the groundbreaking supercar and got the lowdown from Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann on what it means for the brand.

It's the first-ever plug-in vehicle from the legendary Italian brand, which aims to electrify its entire lineup by the end of 2024.

"It's not just a new model which is replacing another, but it's a new idea," Winkelmann told Insider.

The Revuelto pairs a mid-mounted V12 engine with three electric motors that boost performance while reducing planet-warming emissions.

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Tightening environmental regulations around the world pushed Lamborghini to figure out how to give customers more performance while cutting the brand's CO2 footprint, Winkelmann said.

All told, the Revuelto cranks out a whopping 1,001 horsepower, according to Lamborghini's estimates.

It can hit 62 mph in a blistering 2.5 seconds and claims a top speed of 217 mph, the automaker says.

Two electric motors power the front wheels, while the V12 powers the rears, giving the Revuelto all-wheel drive.

The motors kick in to boost power at low speeds. And reverse is provided through the motors, too.

The "High Performance Electrified Vehicle," as Lambo calls it, gets a small, 3.8 kWh battery pack that offers 6.2 miles of electric-only driving.

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The appeal of more pedestrian plug-in hybrids is their ability to run short errands cheaply and without burning fuel. But since this is a Lamborghini after all, the motors are really there to inject extra speed — not for gas-saving grocery runs.

The Revuelto can be recharged by plugging in, during driving through regenerative braking (which captures braking energy), or directly from the engine.

A big challenge in developing the Revuelto was hitting on the right power-to-weight ratio, Winkelmann said. Electric motors can provide lots of extra power and torque, but batteries are heavy and weigh a car down even when they're empty.

Lots of electric-only range would be overkill, because Lamborghini owners don't use their cars as daily drivers, Winkelmann said. And a too-small battery would turn into deadweight after just a few laps on the racetrack.

As far as design goes, Lamborghini drew inspiration from its previous V12 icons.

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It has scissor doors like the legendary 1971 Countach, the floating blade of the Diablo toward its rear, and a nose that's reminiscent of the Murcielago, the company says.

Lamborghini also says the Revuelto's design was influenced by the aerospace industry.

Lamborghini is making a big push on technology, Winkelmann said, and that's evident in the Revuelto.

The passenger gets a slim, 9.1 inch screen so they can see the same information as the driver.

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That's in addition to a sizable center touchscreen.

And the Revuelto is Lamborghini's first model to feature an advanced driver-assistance package powered by radar, cameras, and other sensors.

It has blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

The Revuelto will cost just over $600,000 to start and is Lamborghini's most customizable car ever.

Customers can choose from 400 paint colors, 70 interior colors, and numerous other options.

The supercar is already sold out for the next two years, Winkelmann said. So if you want one, get ready for a wait.

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We got an early look at Lamborghini's first electrified supercar. See the $600,…