Oof: Huracan replacement will get 10,000rpm V8
Electrified, turbocharged Lamborghinis won't be any less mad, it seems
The Lamborghini Huracan will take some replacing, its evolution from fast-but-flawed supercar into one of the modern greats over a decade was quite something. Its successor is currently only known as the Lamborghini 634, but rest assured its technical makeup is way more exciting than the project name. If you thought the Revuelto was an auspicious start for Lamborghini’s High Performance Electrified Vehicles, you ain't seen nothing yet...
10,000rpm is the headline number, as that’ll be the maximum revolutions per minute of the new hybridised 4.0-litre V8. This is incredible enough - anything going beyond 7,500 is notable nowadays. But remember it’s twin turbocharged as well and the 634’s engine becomes even more of an achievement. That 10k isn’t just for show, either, as peak power of 800hp is actually made at 9,000rpm (!) and is there until 9,750; you’ll be using all ten thousand, that’s for sure.
Torque is rated at 538lb ft from 4,000-7,000rpm, the idea being to create ‘an exhilarating progression similar to that of a racing engine’, with a ‘unique and distinctive character’ to the flat-plane sound. Marvellous. Power reaches the road via a new vairant of the Revuelto’s eight-speed DCT.
Like the V12 flagship, the new HPEV will make use of three electric motors in the hybrid system. Lamborghini claims that the electric element of the powertrain, wedged in between the V8 and DCT, is small and light yet still capable of producing 221lb ft and 147hp. Beyond that, no more is known for now. But you’re probably thinking rather a bit more about the 10,000rpm V8 than the size of the battery, right? Lamborghini says the 634 is still on track to launch this year - bring it on.
I think overall the weight will be key especially vs the Ferrari and McLaren V6 hybrids, I fear it ending up 1800kg+ which doesn't seem ideal for a 'junior' supercar.
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I think there's also a little bit of bragging rights involved.
I would have loved to see something a bit more left-field from Lamborghini.
Instead of using turbocharging to boost the intake, use it to generate electricity via a high speed generator, keeping the battery at full state of charge.
Increase the torque rating of the motor on the crank and now you have a naturally-aspirated 10000 rpm screamer with as much torque fill as your heart desires.
The turbogenerator can be bypassed for the full effect under WOT.
I think overall the weight will be key especially vs the Ferrari and McLaren V6 hybrids, I fear it ending up 1800kg+ which doesn't seem ideal for a 'junior' supercar.
Can't use the NA V10 anymore, so I hope this V8 can sing!
I remember being late-teens/early 20's and getting into the drivers seat of even the most humble of machines and being excited to see how it sounds and how high it revved.
The headline stats on this car sound like a defiant reluctance to give in to dull, droning engine notes that are effective but not emotionally engaging.
I really hope a manufacturer at the more accessible end of the market takes note and develops something in the 200-400bhp range with a high-revving hybrid drivetrain. Weight penalty of the hybrid drivetrain aside, imagine being able to pootle up to Scotland on electric/hybrid power achieving acceptable economy, and then flipping a switch when you get to the highlands and having a 9000rpm instrument under your right foot. I wouldn't even care if it returned 25mpg at that point. Would be great in either a hot hatch or sports coupe format.
I remember being late-teens/early 20's and getting into the drivers seat of even the most humble of machines and being excited to see how it sounds and how high it revved.
The headline stats on this car sound like a defiant reluctance to give in to dull, droning engine notes that are effective but not emotionally engaging.
I really hope a manufacturer at the more accessible end of the market takes note and develops something in the 200-400bhp range with a high-revving hybrid drivetrain. Weight penalty of the hybrid drivetrain aside, imagine being able to pootle up to Scotland on electric/hybrid power achieving acceptable economy, and then flipping a switch when you get to the highlands and having a 9000rpm instrument under your right foot. I wouldn't even care if it returned 25mpg at that point. Would be great in either a hot hatch or sports coupe format.
Turbocharging is used to improve economy/emissions and fatten the torque curve, whilst downsizing the capacity.
Problem is, it permanently interferes with the driving experience to some degree.
Supercharging can't really do the economy thing.
If batteries and motor/generators are incorporated into a car like this, they should be used to enhance the driving experience.
Recovering exhaust gas energy without interfering is what I was hoping they might try for.
A hope made in vain of course.
Turbocharging is used to improve economy/emissions and fatten the torque curve, whilst downsizing the capacity.
Problem is, it permanently interferes with the driving experience to some degree.
Supercharging can't really do the economy thing.
If batteries and motor/generators are incorporated into a car like this, they should be used to enhance the driving experience.
Recovering exhaust gas energy without interfering is what I was hoping they might try for.
A hope made in vain of course.
Seems quite a nice idea, plenty of NA noises and idiosyncracies when you want them, and then the rest of the time you can use it as a generator for hybrid power to help with economy.
Seems quite a nice idea, plenty of NA noises and idiosyncracies when you want them, and then the rest of the time you can use it as a generator for hybrid power to help with economy.
Also, buyers are going to need a lot more convincing it's a thing rather than plain old turbos.
For that reason alone, I doubt we will ever see it.
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