Photo: original image by autoevolution
Brace yourselves! Italy's maddest automaker has just unveiled a hybrid supercar concept going by the name of Asterion, which is Greek for ruler of the stars. The mythological Minotaur's proper name was also Asterion, so yeah, this raging bull follows the classic Lamborghini naming recipe, which is pretty cool.
This curious-looking concept vehicle is detailed by the once tractor-making manufacturer with a line that goes like "once perfection is achieved, you can just double it," which is your typical Italian romantic jibber-jabber at first glance. But if you read through the lines, you'll figure that indicates a GT layout despite it being mid-engined and a strict two-seater to boot.
Lamborghini patented the Asterion name and logo a few weeks ago, including the thunderbolt in the letter 'o'. That gives you a hint that this two-door four-seat bull uses electricity in conjunction with proper internal combustion grunt. Combining the 5.2-liter V10 engine of the new Huracan LP 610-4 and no less than three electric motors, this hybrid supercar concept flexes a total of 910 horsepower under full-on acceleration, but produces just 98 grams of CO2 per kilometer. In addition to that, full electric mode offers about 50 kilometers range of city driving.
But that layout was better approached on the glorious Espada from 1968. The latter was produced in only 1,217 units until 1978, with power coming from a front-mounted V12 mill sourced from the jaw-droppingly gorgeous Miura.
Then your eyes see the Lancia Stratos / Lotus Evora-inspired windshield and side windows, as well as the thumping great side intakes and the slim strips of red at the rear acting as taillights. It's an enticing design this, a tour de force of what Lamborghini designers nowadays can do. But that sloping roofline is a tell-tale sign headroom in the back is borderline, even for the smallest of children. That's why Lamborghini didn't go with a proper 2+2 four-seat layout. Truth be told, one could sit comfortably in the rear of a 2+2 Asterion only in the cross-legged Lotus position.
Lamborghini is now focused on the Huracan and, in the near future, it's highly possible we'll see an Urus luxury sports utility vehicle that'll compete with a suite of new luxury SUVs from Bentley, Maserati and Jaguar. Daddy luxury Rolls-Royce hinted recently it wants to make one too, so go figure.
Lamborghini patented the Asterion name and logo a few weeks ago, including the thunderbolt in the letter 'o'. That gives you a hint that this two-door four-seat bull uses electricity in conjunction with proper internal combustion grunt. Combining the 5.2-liter V10 engine of the new Huracan LP 610-4 and no less than three electric motors, this hybrid supercar concept flexes a total of 910 horsepower under full-on acceleration, but produces just 98 grams of CO2 per kilometer. In addition to that, full electric mode offers about 50 kilometers range of city driving.
That styling sort of looks familiar
Good point! The front fascia design, from those huge air intakes to the Huracan-like headlights, most of it is inspired by a previous Lamborghini concept called Estoque, unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The Estoque's styling cues were polished for the Asterion LPI 910-4, but still, these two are like the proverbial peas in a pod. Furthermore, another pretty familiar element harks back to Lamborghini cars of the '60s. That's the two-door two-seat grand tourer layout, something we first seen on the 350 GT.But that layout was better approached on the glorious Espada from 1968. The latter was produced in only 1,217 units until 1978, with power coming from a front-mounted V12 mill sourced from the jaw-droppingly gorgeous Miura.
Then your eyes see the Lancia Stratos / Lotus Evora-inspired windshield and side windows, as well as the thumping great side intakes and the slim strips of red at the rear acting as taillights. It's an enticing design this, a tour de force of what Lamborghini designers nowadays can do. But that sloping roofline is a tell-tale sign headroom in the back is borderline, even for the smallest of children. That's why Lamborghini didn't go with a proper 2+2 four-seat layout. Truth be told, one could sit comfortably in the rear of a 2+2 Asterion only in the cross-legged Lotus position.
I want to buy one!
Aaa, there's a problem with that. The Volkswagen Group's (Audi owns Lamborghini) first ever hybrid supercar isn't going to see mass production life.Lamborghini is now focused on the Huracan and, in the near future, it's highly possible we'll see an Urus luxury sports utility vehicle that'll compete with a suite of new luxury SUVs from Bentley, Maserati and Jaguar. Daddy luxury Rolls-Royce hinted recently it wants to make one too, so go figure.
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