Lamborghini's new Hybrid Concept - The Asterion!

Lambo’s Hyper-Hybrid

Lamborghini have unveiled its new Asterion LPI 910-4, a hybid-powered GT at the Paris Motor show. The Asterion has a 5.2-litre, naturally aspirated V10 petrol engine working in tandem with three electric motors, giving a maximum power of 910bhp. It’s referred to as a plug-in hybrid technology demonstrator, to investigate significantly reducing CO2 emissions through technologies that are currently available. It goes to show that along with it’s hyper-hybrid counterparts such as the McLaren P1 and the LaFerrari, petrol and electric really can mix!  Lamborghini quotes 0-62mph in 3.0sec and a top speed of 198.8mph reaching 78mph in pure electric mode alone.

The car is also claimed to able to travel up to 31 miles on battery power alone. The CO2 emissions are just 98g/km and it is claimed to be capable of 68.5mpg Conceived and developed entirely in-house, the Asterion LPI 910-4 is named after a bull like all Lamborghinis. Asterion is the proper name of the mythical minotaur, a hybrid figure that’s part man and part bull, representing “the strength of a bull delivered by the naturally aspirated engine, combined with the human rationale delivered by the hybrid technology”. Like its sister cars, it is also crafted entirely from carbon-fibre.

Raging Bull

Although the long bonnet hints at a front-mounted engine, the LPI 910-4 has its 5.2-litre V10 positioned longitudinally in the rear as a mid-engine, like the Aventador and Huracan. The LP in the name stands for “longitudinale posteriore”, the position of the conventional engine, I stands for “ibrido” (hybrid), 910 for the total power and 4 for the permanent 4WD system. The V10 develops 610bhp, with the three electric motors providing a further 300bhp. The weight of the hybrid technology is 250kg.

Designed by Lamborghini Centro Stile, the Asterion is unmistakeably a Lamborghini while different from the existing, low-slung – and more extreme – Huracan and Aventador. The styling is also reminiscent of the past with a hint of Miura. The front is produced as a single component, giving a dynamic look, its headlights crafted from forged carbon and titanium. It also contains a luggage compartment. A transparent engine cover comprise three hexagonal glasses that turn according to the engine driving mode: pure electric, hybrid power or pure thermal engine power.

Inside, the two seats are positioned higher than those in existing Lamborghinis, ensuring a car for comfortable everyday cruising rather than extreme performance. The interior of the show car is finished in ivory and brown leather, with smatterings of aluminium and forged carbon-fibre. Its steering wheel is reminiscent of the Miura supercar’s of the Sixties, and contains some titanium parts as well as the three buttons to select the driving mode: Zero for zero emissions/full electric; I for Ibrido (hybrid); and T for Termico (thermal) power. A portable tablet allows the car’s occupants to manage climate control and other functions including GPS and in-car infotainment. We can’t wait to see more of this unbelievable machine over the coming months.

Lamborghini's new Hybrid Concept - The Asterion!