Electrification
Lamborghini no longer has plans to add an electric vehicle to its lineup, but that doesn’t mean electrification is completely out of the picture. The Italian car company has introduced its first production model with a plug – the super sports car Revuelto. While there are some efficiency gains with this plug-in hybrid powertrain, its focus is on producing massive power, delivering 1,001 horsepower from three electric motors paired with a powerful V12 engine. To say that the result is exhilarating would be a gross understatement.

Cleaner and Faster
“The new Revuelto is a milestone in the history of Lamborghini, and an important pillar in our Direzione Cor Tauri electrification strategy,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini Chairman and CEO. “It is a unique and innovative car but at the same time faithful to our DNA: the V12 is an iconic symbol of our super sports heritage and history. Revuelto was born to break the mold, combining a new 12-cylinder engine with hybrid technology, creating the perfect balance between delivering the emotion that our clients want with the necessity to reduce emissions.”

What I Drove
For this review, I drove a Lamborghini Revuelto in Dexter, Michigan (near Detroit), painted in eye-catching Blu Cepheus (a $13,100 addition). The option list for this car was extensive, highlighted by the sport seats, upper and lower carbon fiber trim, Sonus Faber premium audio system, passenger display, and Triguero Matte Black forged wheels. The total MSRP was listed at $748,858, including the $3,995 destination charge.

V12 Hybrid
At the heart of the Lamborghini Revuelto’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is a 6.5-liter normally aspirated V12 engine producing 814 horsepower and 535 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful V12 the company has ever built. While that’s already more power than most drivers would ever need, the Revuelto adds three electric motors – two powering the front wheels, and a third above the 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels along with the V12 – for a total output of 1,001 horsepower.

Plug-in Hybrid
The Revuelto is a plug-in hybrid, but it’s not like any PHEV I’ve ever driven. Most PHEVs are designed to travel 30-40 miles on pure EV power, and for most drivers, that’s enough to cover the daily commute, resulting in excellent fuel efficiency without the range anxiety of a pure EV. However, a full charge in the Revuelto will only get you 5 miles of electric driving. It won’t take you far, but it’s just enough to get out of the neighborhood in silence before the big V12 fires up and wakes the neighbors.

Charging
The charge port for the Revuelto is in the frunk (front trunk), and you can adjust the latch to close securely while leaving a gap for the charging cable. Plugged into a level 2 charger, the Revuelto is fully charged in about 30 minutes. However, after a short drive in hybrid mode, my range was back up to five miles.

Extreme Performance
As the flagship of the Lamborghini Super Sports car lineup, Revuelto’s performance stats are off the charts. With over 1,000 horsepower on tap, the instant torque of the electric motors, and the strong grip of all-wheel drive, the Revuelto sprints to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 2.5 seconds, to 124 mph in about 7 seconds, and, with enough space, tops out above 217 mph. Sure, there are electric cars on the market that can accelerate as quickly, but none include the visceral experience of a V12 screaming at 9,000 rpm behind your head. Makes me smile just thinking about it.

Styling to Match
The Lamborghini Revuelto turns heads everywhere it goes, even if it’s cruising in relative silence on electric power. Sitting low and wide, the Revuelto features distinctive lighting with Y-shaped LED running lights that frame the headlights and large air intakes. The hood slopes downward, improving forward visibility while enhancing the Lambo’s menacing appearance.

Rear View
At the rear of the Revuelto, slim LED taillights feature the same Y-shaped design, stretching to the center where they meet at the massive high-mounted hexagonal dual exhaust outlets. The rear spoiler is hidden at rest, rising to optimize aerodynamics above 50 mph.

V12 on Display
I was surprised to see that the V12 mounted behind the cabin is exposed to the elements for all to see. However, it sits low enough in the body that it doesn’t obstruct the view through the rear window.

Trademark Doors
Adding to the Revuelto’s exotic nature are the trademark scissor doors that open upward rather than outward. This makes it possible to have a wide opening without needing space around the car to open the large doors, but you do have to check for low ceilings.

Performance-Oriented Cabin
Opening the scissor doors reveals a cabin that has a clear focus on the driver. Sports seats are snug but comfortable, offering excellent support during enthusiastic driving, and the manual controls make them easy to adjust. Large, metal paddle shifters remain fixed behind the steering wheel, while drive mode selectors and other functions are nicely laid out on the wheel.

Storage
Utility is not a word that will ever be associated with the Revuelto; however, a small suitcase or a few bags of groceries will fit in the frunk (front trunk). A small shelf behind the seats could also handle a small duffel, so there’s enough space for a weekend getaway.

Start Button
Like other Lamborghinis, the start button is situated in the center console with a flip-up red cover like a missile launch switch.

Multiple Screens
The center screen isn’t very large, but the display is clear and intuitive to use. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also available for customers who prefer the more familiar functionality. The Revuelto also features a digital driver display with three configurable panels, and can also be equipped with a passenger display, letting the passenger keep track of navigation and vehicle speed – which can be problematic if your passenger is better off not knowing how fast you’re going.

Drive Modes
With four base drive modes and three settings that dictate the mix of electric motors and the internal combustion engine, there are 13 possible drive-mode scenarios in the Revuelto. Throttle, available power, steering, shifting, and suspension all vary depending on the selected drive modes.

Starting in Silence
When I first climbed in and hit the start button, I was a little disappointed to find no sound – by default, the Revuelto starts in electric drive mode. With the electric motors putting out almost 200 horsepower, the Lamborghini had more than enough power to get around in EV mode. Aside from its very low ground clearance (a button on the steering wheel raises it slightly), the Revuelto was not difficult to drive around town at low speeds.

V12 Roar
Once you’ve expended your five miles of electric driving, or if you switch to Sport or Corsa mode, the big V12 fires up. There are hybrids on the market that are so seamless that you can’t tell when you’re driving on electric or gas – the Lamborghini is not one of those vehicles. With its mighty roar, you’ll know that the V12 is up and running, as will anyone else in the vicinity.

So Much Power
With the instant torque of the electric motors and extreme power of the V12 engine, the Revuelto launches from a stop are best described as violent, with the engine screaming in your ear as you’re pushed hard into the seat. At the same time, the Lamborghini feels stable, staying on track as speeds quickly reach and pass triple digits. Even at highway speeds, a stab of the throttle increases speed dramatically.

Blast to Drive
There’s no question that the Lamborghini delivers mind-bending acceleration, but it’s just as impressive when the road isn’t straight. Steering response is immediate, and the low, wide car hugs the road, flying through corners with no body lean and excellent stability. On multiple occasions, I had to rein in my speed as the Revuelto could handle my favorite twisty roads at well above the posted limit. Perhaps the scariest part of driving the Revuelto is how easy it is to drive fast.

Bottom Line
One look at the Revuelto (or its price tag) makes it clear this Lamborghini is not for everyone. Practicality and fuel efficiency are not in the Revuelto’s vocabulary, but its well-thought-out cabin, intuitive infotainment system, and comfortable sport seats make it one of the more usable exotic sports cars. But its advanced, powerful drivetrain is what makes it one of the most exciting cars on the road.