- Lamborghini transitions to a twin-turbo V8
- 789 horsepower, 10,000-rpm redline
- Innovative 'hot-vee' configuration
- Hybrid system with electric motor
- Anticipated Huracán successor unveiling in August
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TranscriptIn the realm of high-performance automotive engineering, Lamborghini stands poised to usher in a new era, transitioning from the revered V-10 to a groundbreaking twin-turbo V-8 engine. This engine is not just a mere replacement; it marks a significant milestone in Lamborghini's history. It is set to power the Huracán's successor, and the initial details have created a palpable buzz in the industry.
The engine's hallmark feature is its staggering 10,000-rpm redline, a figure that places it among an elite class of high-revving marvels, alongside the Mercedes-AMG One and the machines from Gordon Murray Automotive. The V-8 displaces four liters and delivers a maximum output of seven hundred eighty-nine horsepower, peaking between nine thousand and nine thousand seven hundred fifty RPM. The torque is equally impressive, producing five hundred thirty-eight pounds-foot across a band from four thousand to seven thousand rpm.
This is Lamborghini's inaugural venture into flat-plane V-8 engines, adopting a 'hot-vee' configuration. This innovative setup places the turbochargers within the valley of the cylinder banks, optimizing response and reducing lag. The dry-sump lubrication system ensures consistent oil flow, while direct injection sharpens performance and efficiency.
To achieve the ambitious high-revving design of this engine, Lamborghini has employed titanium connecting rods, which significantly reduce the rotating assembly's weight. The conventional bucket-and-shim tappets have been supplanted by rigid finger followers, a lighter alternative that fosters higher engine speeds. This valvetrain approach, though more common in racing engines and high-performance motorcycles, also finds its place in the powerhouses of Ferrari's V-12 and Porsche's 4.0-liter engines, as well as in some iterations of Ford's Mustang V-8s.
The prowess of the V-8 is further enhanced by a hybrid system. It features an electric motor with a capacity of one hundred forty-seven horsepower and two hundred twenty-one pound-feet of torque. This motor, positioned between the engine and the transversely mounted eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, is of the axial-flux variety, which provides the advantage of a slimmer profile compared to conventional electric motors—a design choice also seen in McLaren's and Ferrari's latest hybrids.
While specifics on the hybrid system's layout remain sparse, there's speculation that it could mirror the three-motor setup found in the new Revuelto, potentially allocating one motor to each front wheel.
Currently, the V-8 engine is being put through its paces on the racetrack, housed within the SC63 LMDh prototype. In this racing context, the engine has been slightly downsized to three point eight liters, and it integrates with a distinctly different hybrid system than the one slated for the production car.
The anticipation builds as the official unveiling of the Huracán successor is set for August. This event is expected not just to reveal a car, but to reaffirm Lamborghini's place at the forefront of automotive innovation, continuing a legacy of power and performance that has become synonymous with the brand's identity.
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