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- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"It's not just a new model which is replacing another, but it's a new idea," Winkelmann told Insider.
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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.
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All told, the Revuelto cranks out a whopping 1,001 horsepower, according to Lamborghini's estimates.
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It can hit 62 mph in a blistering 2.5 seconds and claims a top speed of 217 mph, the automaker says.
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Two electric motors power the front wheels, while the V12 powers the rears, giving the Revuelto all-wheel drive.
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The motors kick in to boost power at low speeds. And reverse is provided through the motors, too.
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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.
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The Revuelto can be recharged by plugging in, during driving through regenerative braking (which captures braking energy), or directly from the engine.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Lamborghini also says the Revuelto's design was influenced by the aerospace industry.
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Lamborghini is making a big push on technology, Winkelmann said, and that's evident in the Revuelto.
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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.
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And the Revuelto is Lamborghini's first model to feature an advanced driver-assistance package powered by radar, cameras, and other sensors.
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It has blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
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The Revuelto will cost just over $600,000 to start and is Lamborghini's most customizable car ever.
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Customers can choose from 400 paint colors, 70 interior colors, and numerous other options.
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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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