© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Fastest Lamborghini Ever
One of Italy’s legendary sports car creators is the latest automaker turning to electrification as a means to higher performance. At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Lamborghini took the wraps off its fastest sports car ever: the new Sian. This new model represents Lamborghini’s first foray into electrification, so the car gets aptly named — Sian means flash or lightning in Bolognese dialect.
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For Today, for Tomorrow
“The Sian is a masterpiece in possibilities,” noted Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali. “Not only does the Sian deliver a formidable hyper-car design and engineering tour de force today, it augments the potential for Lamborghini as a super sports car brand for tomorrow and for decades to come, even as hybridization becomes more desirable and inevitably essential. The Lamborghini Sian represents the first step in Lamborghini’s route to electrification, and expedites our next-generation V12 engine,” effused Domenicali.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
V12 Power
At the heart of the Sian lurks a 6.5-liter V12 engine, upgraded with titanium intake valves, that produces 785 horses — the most power ever derived from a Lamborghini engine. The V12 gets supplemented with a 34-horsepower electric motor for a total output of 819 horses. Engineers integrated the electric motor within the gearbox for instant response; the motor is also used for low-speed operation when reversing or parking.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Extreme Performance
The Sian will blast to 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than 2.8 seconds, making it the quickest Lambo ever. Top speed is expected to be in excess of 217 mph. Extreme stats, even for a Lamborghini.
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Supercapacitor
In another first, the Sian uses a supercapacitor to store energy, rather than more common lithium-ion batteries. According to Lamborghini, the supercapacitor is three times more powerful than a battery of the same weight. The Sian’s advanced regenerative braking system allows the supercapacitor to be fully charged every time the brakes are used. That power is then available for instant boost at any speed up to 80 mph. This electric boost also smooths gear changes, filling in torque during shifts.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Visual Feast
And since this Lamborghini boasts over-the-top performance, a daunting design became a requirement. “The fastest Lamborghini must be a visual and symphonic feast, as remarkable to those who see it pass by as those privileged to drive it, “said Mitja Borkert, head of design at Automobili Lamborghini. “It takes inspiration from the Countach, but the Sian is a futuristic icon, not retrospective,” Borkert observed.
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Sold Out
Lamborghini only plans to build 63 Sians, honoring the founding year of the company. And reps say it is likely that no two Sians will look the same — all will be individually styled through Lamborghini Centro Stile, giving owners something truly unique. Although pricing has not been announced, that doesn’t really matter — all 63 have been sold.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Lamborghini Sian
21-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero tires.