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• V10 5.2-litre + three electric motors
• 0-100km/h in three seconds
• CO2 emissions only 98g/km
• 50km battery range
PARIS, France - Lamborghini has unveiled its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Asterion LPI 910-4, ahead of the 2014 Paris auto show.
The Asterion is a technology demonstrator representing a model that could be produced using current technologies and drawing on Lamborghini expertise.
HYBRID TECHNOLOGY
The new hybrid, based on a monocoque made entirely of carbon-fibred materials, has a V10 5.2 FSI engine (same as in the new Huracan) and three electric motors driving through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The Asterion's hybrid architecture sees an electric motor, incorporating a starter motor and generator, between the mid-mounted V10 and its gearbox, and one for each wheel.
Its V1 provides 449kW/560Nm, the three electric motors 220kW for total output of 669kW. Its hybrid engine enables it to rocket to 100km/h in three seconds and reach 320km/h.
IMAGE GALLERY: 2014 Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4
The Asterion LPI 910-4 has a batteries-only range of 50km; top speed on batteries is listed as 125km/h and fuel consumption is given as 4.12 litres/100km (combined cycle).
Three driving modes are available: Z, I and T
Zero: Zero emissions/full electric
I: 'Ibrido' (hybrid) - petrol engine and electric motors
T: Termico; (thermal) - V10 engine alone
LUXURY DESIGN
Designed by Lamborghini Centro Stile, the Asterion contains unmistakeable Lamborghini design elements though the automaker aimed to distinguish its hybrid tech from its super car siblings.
Compared to the Aventador and Huracan, the Asterion’s exterior is much softer, with its curved front borrowing elements from the iconic Miura, including its wraparound windscreen and pronounced haunches. At the rear, its screen is made up of three moving hexagons; the brake light stretches across to bisect the Lamborghini badge.
Its ‘Elektra blue’ paint is infused with flecks of glitter; the Pirelli tyres wrap 20" and 21" alloy rims.
A lit Tricolore flag on each door pays homage to the Asterion's Italian heritage and a discreet Raging Bull shield is embedded in each wing.
INSIDE
Two sports seats are positioned higher than those in Lamborghini super-sports cars for “comfortable everyday cruising” rather than extreme performance; ivory and brown leather, aluminium, carbon fibre and titanium elements abound.
The three-spoked steering-wheel was inspired by the Miura and a portable tablet allows occupants to manage aircon and other functions such as satnav and infotainment.
WHAT’S IN A NAME
Asterion LPI 910-4: LP stands for 'longitudinale posteriore' (the position of the conventional engine) I for 'ibrido', 910 for the system power (in HP) and ‘4’ for the permanent all-wheel drive.
Lamborghini has stuck to its tradition of naming its cars after famous fighting bulls: Asterion is the proper name of the Minotaur (a man-bull hybrid) from Greek mythology.
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