Report: Lamborghini's Details Wild New Hybrid V8

With literally every automaker currently in operation still hunting for ways to electrify their lineup, many have embraced hybridization as purely electric vehicles continue to polarize shoppers. But some were already heading this route, including performance brands that see the setup as a win in terms of both dynamic performance emissions compliance.

Among them is Lamborghini, which recently previewed the motor that’s assumed to be slotted into the production-coded “Lamborghini 634” that’s slated to supplant the Huracán. However, the hybrid powertrain is obviously more Porsche 918 Spyder than Toyota Prius.

While hybridization does allow for the motor to be smaller, perhaps dodging some attention from government regulators, the end goal is all about improving power delivery and maintaining a low center of gravity. The Huracán uses a 5.2-liter V10, whereas its assumed replacement will leverage a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with a flat-plane crank supplemented by a trio of electric motors.

The recipe seems like it’s going to make the engine a literal screamer, with a 10,000-rpm redline and torque available immediately thanks to it being partially electrified. From a performance perspective, this seems like the way to push the outer limits of automotive engineering. Wealthy shoppers likely won’t be bothered by this. But your author does wonder what the maintenance routine is going to be like on an Italian-German supercar that plays host to a high-revving engine, battery pack, and several electric motors.

Meanwhile, solid performance seems like a guarantee. Based on reporting from Car and Driver, the new motor is supposed to produce 739 horsepower between 9000 and 9750 rpm and 538 pound-feet of torque between 4000 and 7000 rpm. That’s significantly better than the outgoing Huracán and will undoubtedly result in a significantly higher performance threshold unless the model is an absolute pig in terms of weight.

From Car and Driver:

Lamborghini didn't specifically say, but given the recipe it used for the 1001-hp Revuelto plug-in hybrid, we expect two of the 634's electric motors will be mounted on the front axle and could allow torque vectoring under both power and regenerative braking. We know the third e-motor is mounted between the V-8 and the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, which is actually the same gearbox used by the Revuelto. Of course, it has been optimized for the new car. Lamborghini says the rear e-motor includes the inverter and axial electric unit and makes 148 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque.

As for the new car's name, "Temerario" has circulated online. However, Lambo CEO Stephan Winkelmann told our pals over at Road & Track that the company has already picked out a fighting bull's name for the upcoming car. The Huracán's successor will launch sometime later this year, making it the newest installment in Lamborghini's burgeoning electric era that already includes the aforementioned Revuelto as well as the plug-in-hybrid Urus SE.

Audi already has a 4.0-liter V8 sporting a pair of turbochargers and yielding the kind of output that sounds like the new Lambo hybrid sans the electric motors. In fact, that powertrain is already being used on the Urus SE PHEV. But Lamborghini has said the 4.0-liter V8 hybrid going into the Huracán's replacement was developed entirely in house.

It sounds like the upcoming 634 will basically play the role of little brother to the Revuelto, which makes sense from a marketing standpoint. Pricing is unconfirmed but assumed to be a tad higher than the Huracán. While that sounds like a misstep, demand for the Revuelto has been so intense that Lamborghini says it’s technically sold out through 2026. A cheaper model, even if it starts well above $250,000, could be warranted.

Interestingly, exclusive models with absolutely ludicrous price tags seem to be one of the few vehicle segments where price bumps are still being tolerated by the market. While that hasn’t prevented mainstream brands from attempting to sell products that can easily be optioned toward the six-figure threshold, today’s shoppers don’t appear to have much of an appetite for lofty window stickers.

[Image: Lamborghini]