"Lamborghini V12: What Next?" Video Teases Mystery January 2017 Debut

The title of the video wants you to think something other than a V12 is coming, while the clip hints at another engine configuration, front-mounted, longitudinal and so forth. But in all likelihood, neither idea puts you on the right track.

The bit we do know for sure is that the world media is being summoned to the Ricardo Tormo F1 track in Valencia, Spain for the reveal of "a new design, superior power and a mix of advanced technologies."

That by itself suggests the Aventador facelift will debut in January at the Detroit Auto Show and will get an afterparty, as is customary with all exotics.

Considering the Aventador dates back to 2011, it's only natural that it would receive an update. Most regular cars are replaced every six years or sooner, but we know supercars can live twice as long. Also, the Aventador facelift prototype has been parading its camouflage up and down Europe's highways.

So what's all this talk about something coming after the era of the mid-mounted V12? Probably nothing. Sure, Ferrari just dropped a twin-turbo V8 into the GTC4Lusso T and Lamborghini will offer a V8 in the Urus. But we can't forget that the Aventador has a unique chassis and configuration, while Urus shares its platform with the Bentayga and Audi Q7.

It's more reasonable to expect a twin-clutch gearbox, hybrid assist or brake energy recovery than a downsized twin-turbo engine. A bit of safety? Yeah, that too, and a few extra screens with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Another Lamborghini model that has been testing lately is the Huracan Performante. But we can't see any connection between the new-blood baby supercar that belongs to the Audi ownership era and all that heritage in the video.

Of course, an entirely new concept is another possibility. But between the hybrid Asterion GT and approving the Urus for production, the company has explored all the major avenues.