Internally referred to as LB63x, the Huracan's long-awaited replacement will debut in the latter half of 2024 for the 2025 model year with a completely different engine from the Huracan. Filmed by carparazzo Varryx while testing outside Lamborghini's factory in Sant'Agata Bolognese, the prototype in the video below makes V8 noises.
Twin-turbo V8 noises, more specifically, because its engine is allegedly twinned with the Porsche-Audi V8 of the Urus. Although it's not clear whether this fellow packs a flat-plane crankshaft, you can look forward to hefty output numbers.
Over 800 horsepower is the most conservative of estimates, more so if you remember that Ferrari advertises the 296 with 819 ponies on deck. Those ponies are split between a YASA-supplied axial flux motor and a twin-turbocharged V6. The 120-degree sixer produces 654 horsepower on its own, which is extremely close to the 657 horsepower of the V8-engined Urus S and Urus Performante.
As you can tell from the yellow high-voltage stickers on every side of the camouflaged prototype, Lamborghini's replacement for the Huracan also happens to be a PHEV. Be that as it may, don't hold your breath for the kind of driving range that would make the Prius Prime blush.
In a similar fashion to the Ferrari 296 and less powerful McLaren Artura, the Lamborghini LB63x likely features a small battery to keep the curb weight under control. The 296 offers 7.45 kWh, whereas the Artura is listed with 7.4 kilowatt hours. The Revuelto, which features a completely new free-breathing V12, makes do with 3.8 kWh.
Photo: Varryx on YouTube
From the standpoint of design, LB63x has Revuelto written all over it. Francesco Scardaoni, the big kahuna of Lamborghini in the Asia-Pacific region, went on record to say that Lamborghini has a bespoke platform in store for the LB63x. Word on the street is that the Italian company adapted the Revuelto's carbon-fiber monocoque for this application, which makes plenty of sense.
The big question is, how many electric motors? There is a case to be made for at least two specifications, beginning with a rear-wheel-drive version à la the Ferrari 296 and McLaren Artura. Two additional electric motors for the front axle would make the LB63x unique in the segment, for it would outcorner and outaccelerate its main rivals. The Corvette E-Ray doesn't count because nobody in their right mind would consider a Chevrolet sports car as an alternative to an Italian exotic.
Old reports on the Huracan's heir apparent point to a 10,000-rpm redline for the twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which is wishful thinking at best. The rumor mill further suggests the turbos kicking in at 7,000 revolutions per minute, and that makes no sense whatsoever. Modern turbos do their thing at low revs to produce max torque as soon as possible, and LB63x needs plenty of torque and tire in order to outaccelerate the ridiculously fast Ferrari 296.
Although peak torque remains to be confirmed, the rear bumper's design reveals wide rubber shoes for the rear axle. Fingers crossed the LB63x will further sweeten the deal with the Revuelto's integral steering and rear-wheel torque vectoring systems.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News