Lamborghini has revealed the primary particulars of the primary HPEV (Excessive Efficiency Electrified Car) hybrid tremendous sports activities automobile, codenamed LB744, which is able to make its debut simply in time for Lamborghini’s sixtieth anniversary.Th anniversary. With the LB744, Lamborghini has established a brand new benchmark when it comes to efficiency and driving pleasure: an all-new structure with a brand new powertrain delivers greater than 1000 CV in complete, combining the ability of an all-new 12-cylinder inside combustion engine with three electrical motors and a ground-breaking dual-clutch gearbox that makes debut of the 12-cylinder Lamborghini.
The automobile options an unprecedented format: the naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 mid-mounted engine is complemented by three electrical motors, certainly one of which is built-in into the brand new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. That is mounted transversely and positioned behind the interior combustion engine for the primary time. In what has been the transmission tunnel for the reason that days of the Countach, there may be as an alternative a lithium-ion battery that powers the electrical motors. The electrical motors improve energy supply at low revs and may remodel the brand new LB744 right into a pure electrical automobile, decreasing total CO2 emissions2 emissions by 30% in comparison with the Aventador Ultimae.
A singular structure
Lamborghini has been synonymous with V12 engines for the reason that firm was based. The very first Lamborghini mannequin with this attribute engine was the enduring 350GT launched in 1963. The primary time an electrical motor was matched with a 12-cylinder inside combustion engine in a Lamborghini was in 2019 with the Sián, which used a 25 kW electrical motor to assist the earlier technology of the V12, which shops {the electrical} vitality in a supercapacitor.
The LB744 introduces an unprecedented hybrid structure and a brand new technology of V12. The automobile is launched because the very first Excessive Efficiency Electrified Car – HPEV: a plug-in hybrid tremendous sports activities automobile outfitted with a light-weight high-power lithium-ion battery, housed within the transmission tunnel within the central a part of the chassis. It is an modern resolution, designed to scale back emissions in comparison with the earlier V12 whereas maximizing efficiency.
The brand new L545 engine has a capability of 6.5 liters and is the lightest and strongest 12-cylinder engine ever produced by Lamborghini. In complete, it weighs simply 218 kg: 17 kg lower than the Aventador unit. The LB744 has the engine rotated 180 levels in comparison with the Aventador format. The Superquadro V12 produces 825 CV at 9250 rpm because of the redesigned distribution system that helps a most pace of 9500 rpm. Particular energy is 128 CV per liter, the best energy within the historical past of Lamborghini 12-cylinder engines, whereas most torque is 725 Nm at 6750 rpm.
The air consumption ducts to the cylinders have been redesigned to extend the availability of air and assure optimum air circulation within the combustion chamber. The combustion within the engine itself has additionally been optimized, because of the regulation of ionization within the chamber with two management items: an answer already used within the Aventador and now transferred to the brand new mannequin. The brand new combustion system can be characterised by an elevated compression ratio (12.6:1 in comparison with 11.8:1 for the Aventador Ultimae). The fluid dynamics within the exhaust gases have additionally been improved to scale back the again strain at excessive revs and improve the precise energy output.
From the very starting, Lamborghini vehicles have been identified for his or her distinctive emotional and unmistakable sound. Particular consideration has been paid to the “soundtrack” of the brand new L545 to emphasise the tone of the engine, which is already melodious at low revs after which rises to a pure harmonic crescendo.
Electrical four-wheel drive
The LB744 retains certainly one of Lamborghini’s strongest traditions: four-wheel drive. Along with the combustion engine powering the rear wheels, a pair of electrical motors now make their debut on the entrance axle, every offering traction to one of many entrance wheels. There’s additionally a 3rd electrical motor situated above the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that may ship energy to the rear wheels, relying on the chosen drive mode and situations.
The mixed torque from the combustion engine and three electrical motors gives efficiency ranges distinctive even within the realm of tremendous sports activities vehicles, with 725 Nm produced by the combustion engine and 350 Nm from every of the entrance electrical motors. In complete, the ability unit delivers a mixed most energy of 1015 CV.
The 2 entrance electrical motors are oil-cooled axial-flow items and supply an distinctive weight-to-power ratio: 18.5 kg from every of the 110 kW items. Along with offering energy to the entrance wheels, in addition they have a torque vectoring operate, optimizing driving dynamics and recovering the vitality produced throughout braking. In electrical mode, the LB744 is front-wheel drive solely to optimize vitality consumption, whereas the electrical drive to the rear axle is activated when wanted.
Zero emission efficiency
The Lamborghini LB744 is supplied with a lithium-ion battery with a excessive particular energy (4500 W/kg) situated within the central tunnel, which retains the middle of gravity as little as attainable and ensures optimum weight distribution. The battery is protected by a decrease structural layer and is linked to the entrance electrical motors, the rear electrical motor and an built-in charging unit.
The battery is 1550 mm lengthy, 301 mm excessive and 240 mm broad, and comprises pouch cells with a complete capability of three.8 kWh. When the cost drops to zero, it may be charged with each unusual family swap and charging column present as much as 7 kW in energy, and totally charged in simply half-hour. It will also be charged beneath regenerative braking from the entrance wheels or straight from the V12 engine in simply six minutes.
Stepping into gear
The adoption of a brand new platform has introduced modern technical selections involving the gearbox: the nerve middle of the hybrid plug-in unit. To attain its targets, Lamborghini has developed a brand new compact transmission unit that may meet the wants of such a strong electrical energy unit. The unit was developed and designed by Lamborghini solely in-house, and after the LB744 it should proceed to equip the following technology of tremendous sports activities vehicles from Sant’Agata Bolognese.
Lamborghini’s analysis and improvement division developed a moist twin clutch as probably the most environment friendly and performance-oriented resolution, greatest in a position to deal with 725 Nm of torque at 6750 rpm from the interior combustion engine.
The brand new eight-speed gearbox is positioned transversely behind the longitudinal V12 engine, to depart room within the tunnel for the lithium-ion battery that feeds the electrical motors. It’s a technical resolution that’s distinctive on the earth of high-performance vehicles and locations Lamborghini as soon as once more on the forefront of automotive expertise. The format helps preserve the automobile’s wheelbase contained and helps environment friendly weight distribution for greatest driving dynamics.
In Lamborghini’s 60-year historical past, solely two different V12 vehicles have been fitted with a transverse rear gearbox: the revolutionary Miura launched in 1966, which additionally adopted a mid-rear transverse engine format; and the Essenza SCV12, a track-focused hypercar with a longitudinal engine and load-carrying transverse gearbox.
The interior construction of the brand new gearbox has two distinct shafts versus the standard three. One handles the even gears, the opposite handles the odd numbers. Each interact the identical rotor. This format helps preserve total weight down whereas saving house.
The event of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) comes from the need to create a unit that gives every little thing wanted for sporty driving corresponding to fast shifts, whereas the introduction of an eighth ratio helps to optimize gasoline consumption and drivability throughout cruising. A particular function is the ‘steady downshift’, which drops down a number of gears beneath braking just by holding down the left paddle, giving the rider a way of complete management.
Other than {the electrical} parts, the brand new DCT gearbox is lighter and faster when it comes to shift pace in comparison with the seven-speed dual-clutch unit used within the Huracán vary. The transverse format has additionally allowed for a extra spacious cabin inside, creating extra space behind the motive force and passenger to enhance consolation.
The twin-clutch gearbox is extraordinarily compact; solely 560mm lengthy, 750mm broad and 580mm excessive. The whole weight is simply 193 kg, which features a new element basic to the automobile’s hybrid structure: the rear electrical motor, with a most energy of 110kW and a peak torque of 150Nm.
Positioned above the gearbox, this electrical motor acts as a starter motor and generator, in addition to supplying vitality to the entrance electrical motors by way of the battery within the transmission tunnel. In totally electrical mode, it may well additionally present energy to the rear wheels which, along with the e-motors driving the entrance wheels, permits zero-emission four-wheel drive. How the system works relies on which drive mode is engaged, because of a disengagement mechanism with a devoted synchronizer that permits connection to the dual-clutch gearbox. When offering further energy to the V12 inside combustion engine, the electrical motor is in P3 mode, separated from the transmission, whereas it strikes to P2 mode to cost the battery at low speeds and, when parked, additionally serves a starter motor.
In P3 mode, the LB744 can turn into an electrical all-wheel drive automobile, relying on which drive mode is chosen, persevering with Lamborghini’s all-wheel drive custom even with out emissions. Reverse gear is supplied by the 2 entrance electrical motors, but when further pace is required, the rear electrical motor may kick in, activating the rear axle and wheels. Consequently, the brand new LB744 can drive all 4 wheels in zero-emission mode even when reversing beneath low grip.
