Making its debut at the Paris Motor show, and......it's a hybrid......I know I'm surprised too. But it's true the Lamborghini Asterion concept is in fact, a hybrid. Yes, the the Toyota Prius, and the new Lamborghini finally have something in common. Both cars produce power from two types of engines, electric and gas. But that is were the similarities end, thank god. (No offense Prius owners)
Lamborghini is keeping with tradition of naming their cars after bulls. Asterion is the proper name for minotaur. In greek mythology, minotaurs are part man, part bull. The name also plays on the notion of the vehicle being a hybrid, and having two engines, well four kind of.
The four engines combined produce a whopping 897 hp. The 5.2 liter V-10 engine produces 602 hp by itself. On top of that, there is an electric motor mounted between the V-10, and the seven speed dual-clutch transmission. The transmission is located at the back of the car this time around. There are also two smaller electric motors mounted on the front axil. The motors send power to each individual front wheel. All together the electric motors produce 295 hp. The Asterion has three driving modes, the first is EV. Which, is pure electric mode. The electric motors in the front two wheels are the only thing driving the car. The car can run for 31 miles in this mode before it will need to charge its batteries. The second is Termico, Italian for thermal, in this mode you have the full power of the V-10 engine. The third and final mode is Ibrido, which is Italian for hybrid. This Mode gives you all four engines, and the full 897 hp to play with.
This is not the fire breathing super car that we are used to Lamborghini designing. The Asterion is being built as a luxury hyper gran tour. The styling of the car, is not the wedge shape of current Lamborghinis. This car has a taller roof line that allows the seating position to be higher. The car is built to be comfortable on long trips, and every day driving. But you have almost 900 hp there if you need it.
Lamborghini has stated that the car is not for sale, and is just a concept. From experience though, I know that car companies don't usually spend this much effort on concepts unless it's going to production. We might not see the Asterion on the streets but, I guarantee you that its hybrid technology will make it to one of Lamborghini's future vehicles.
Photo Credit "in order of appearance"
http://image.motortrend.com/f/future/concept_vehicles/1410_lamborghini_asterion_concept_first_look/82380471/lamborghini-asterion-concept-front-three-quarter.jpg
http://image.motortrend.com/f/future/concept_vehicles/1410_lamborghini_asterion_concept_first_look/82380483/lamborghini-asterion-concept-side-profile.jpg
http://image.motortrend.com/f/future/concept_vehicles/1410_lamborghini_asterion_concept_first_look/82380561/lamborghini-asterion-concept-front-three-quarter-07.jpg
http://image.motortrend.com/f/future/concept_vehicles/1410_lamborghini_asterion_concept_first_look/82380573/lamborghini-asterion-concept-rear-end-02.jpg
Every year the automotive industry looses their suit and ties and heads for Las Vegas. For one week in November, companies all head to one of the most exciting cars shows of the year, the Specialty Equipment Market Association or SEMA. At this show, the name of the game is customization. And here the crazier the car the better. Each car company pulls out all the stops and turns their normal everyday cars, into insane show cars. The point of the show is for one, to prove that the big wigs at the car companies have a sense of humor. But the main point is that aftermarket companies show off what you can buy for your car to make it look the the show cars. Sound systems, body kits, hydraulics, and 4 foot spoiler that makes you look like an idiot, you name it, it's there. With over 2000 companies showing up and over a million square feet of purely cars taking over the Las Vegas convention center, odds are that you will find something you like.
