Lamborghini Asterion LPI910-4 - Paris 2014

Lamborghini goes half man, half bull with a hybrid (part time) FWD 'hyper cruiser'

Those drumming their fingers for the Lamborghini riposte to the McLaren P1, LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder have had a long wait. Just how mad would it be? Would Lamborghini's definition of hybrid mean a combination of petrol power supplemented with the, ah, secretions of an especially virile and angry fighting bull? Would it have 2,000hp, aero to scythe through the crowds of iPhone-wielding supercar bloggers and reverse scissor doors shaped like battle axes?

910hp but 'only' 200mph and rather demure looks

None of the above. The Lamborghini Asterion LPI910-4 is a rather ... understated looking hybrid 'hyper cruiser' christened after the 'proper name' for the Minotaur and therefore symbolising that mythical creature's hybrid genes of man and, well, bull. How much of the latter features in this Paris show concept? Let's take a look...

It does, naturally, boast a suitably ludicrous power output of 910hp, 300hp of which comes from two electric motors driving the front wheels and another integrated starter generator between the 610hp 5.2-litre V10 and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. With all of that lot deployed it'll hit bang-on 200mph and 0-62mph in three dead. Or purr along in front-wheel drive full electric mode for up to 31 miles at speeds of up to 78mph, overall emissions pegged at 98g/km and fuel consumption 65.5mpg. It is, fundamentally then, a very, very angry VW XL1.

Built around a carbon fibre monocoque, the hybrid elements - including lithium ion batteries in a central tunnel running the length of the car - add a claimed 250kg to the weight of the regular powertrain.

Somewhat implausibly Lamborghini claims the Asterion has been "conceived and developed entirely in-house by Lamborghini", rather ignoring the patronage of Audi boss Ulrich Hackenberg and his enthusiasm for plug-in hybrid and electric options for the next-generation R8. Having dispensed with obstacles in the way of that dream - including Wolfgang Durheimer, now back at Bentley - and with the next R8 and Huracan sharing the same MSS platform it seems unlikely a plug-in Lamborghini is something that could be created without Audi's blessing or engineering muscle. Officially the Asterion is said to be "a technology demonstrator" that "could realistically be built today."

Is it a hypercar, a GT or what? Lambo says 'hyper cruiser'

At the time of writing we hadn't actually seen the Asterion - check by for updates once we have - but at face value it's perhaps surprising that Lamborghini's hybrid hypercar is perhaps the most conservative of the breed yet. No mad aero, no attempt to out-stat the LaFerrari or P1 for Top Trumps glory and a surprising focus on all-round usability and, indeed, cruiseability. Whisper it but from the profile shot in particular there seems quite a bit of ride height and length in the cabin too, possibly suggesting 2+2 accommodation with a hint of crossover. Indeed, there's more than a whiff of the hybrid Audi Nanuk concept from last year's Frankfurt show, itself based on the Italdesign Parcour concept that infamously failed to negotiate the Goodwood hillclimb and demonstrated its road to off-road ability by running off the track and crashing into some bales.

For his part Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann says "to significantly reduce emissions on a car in this moment however, plug-in electrification is the best option for us, because for Lamborghini such a car must still provide a truly emotional driving experience." 910hp should ensure that but in the mad world of hypercars a shockingly sane Lamborghini seems the craziest thing yet.

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mrclav

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