Moving towards electrification, Lamborghini has unveiled the initial details of its first High-Performance Electrified Vehicle (HPEV), codenamed LB744. Set to make its debut soon in celebration of the company’s 60th anniversary this year, the powertrain in the upcoming Lamborghini hybrid is said to deliver over 1,000 hp in total.
The HPEV powertrain consists of a brand-new naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine that works in tandem with 3 electric motors. The new V12 engine, named the L545, is the lightest and most powerful 12-cylinder engine ever made by Lamborghini. It weighs 218 kg and the engine itself puts out 825 hp (metric) at 9,250 rpm and 725 Nm at 6,750 rpm.
The air intake ducts to the cylinders have been re-engineered to increase the supply of air and guarantee optimal airflow in the combustion chamber. The combustion within the actual engine has also been optimized, thanks to the regulation of ionization in the chamber with two control units: a solution already used in the Aventador and now transferred to the new model.
As for the three electric motors, one of them is integrated into the brand’s new double-clutch eight-speed gearbox that is positioned in the rear. The other two electric motors are placed in front, one for each wheel. Each of the two front motors makes 350 Nm alone.
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The two electric motors at the front are oil-cooled axial flux units and offer an exceptional weight-to-power ratio: 18.5 kg from each of the 110 kW units. As well as providing power to the front wheels, they also have a torque vectoring function, optimizing driving dynamics, and recuperating the energy produced under braking. When in electric mode, the LB744 is front-wheel drive only to optimize energy consumption, while electric drive to the rear axle is activated on demand when needed.
The gearbox is mounted transversely, and for the first time, is placed behind the engine. With the transmission moved behind the engine,the car’s centre tunnel is now occupied by a lithium battery to power the electric motors. The battery’s capacity is 3.8 kWh. The electric motors boost power delivery at low revs and can also turn the new LB744 into a purely electric car. With 1 engine and 3 electric motors, the new Lamborghini hybrid powertrain sends power to all wheels.
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