Lamborghini Revuelto

An electric super sports car for a new era

The Revuelto has a completely new architecture from its predecessor, the Aventador. As Lamborghini’s flagship super sports car, which is pushing forward with its “Col Tauri” electrification strategy, it is the first plug-in hybrid model to be equipped with a mid-mounted V12 naturally aspirated engine, a now-revered engine in itself. This exceptional engine is combined with three electric motors to produce a maximum system output of 1,015 PS, making it a gorgeous electric super sports car fit for a new era.

The purpose of this circuit test drive event is not a test drive for the media, but for customers who have already placed an order (or have already received their car), so it will be held for three days. Not only will there be full hospitality, but the sight of eight Revueltos gathered together, including spare cars, will be nothing short of spectacular.

In fact, I experienced the Revuelto’s performance at a circuit test drive event held at Fuji Speedway last summer, shortly after its introduction in Japan, but the wet conditions at Fuji were a bit of a scary experience.This time at Suzuka Circuit, it was a warm, sunny day in between winters, so it looked like I would be able to fully experience the overwhelming performance of the 1015 PS.

The engine output direction is reversed from the conventional

The mid-mounted engine is the L545 6.5-liter V12, a dry-sump, naturally aspirated engine. It’s mated to a newly developed 8-speed DCT (wet). The 6498cc V12 employs a short-stroke design (95 x 76.4mm), rare these days, producing a maximum output of 825PS (607kW) at 9250rpm and a maximum torque of 725Nm at 6750rpm, giving it a strong high-revving character. Two motors are installed in the front and one in the rear, producing a maximum system output of 1015PS (747kW).

The Revuelto’s greatest feature is that the engine’s output direction is reversed from the previous model, and a newly developed 8-speed DCT is mounted transversely. The lineage of Lamborghini V12 models has continued from the Miura to the Countach and then to the Aventador, but from the Countach to the Aventador, the transmission has been mounted in front of the V12 engine. However, what is interesting about the Revuelto is that the transmission is mounted transversely behind the engine.

The only two Lamborghini V12 models that use a transversely mounted transmission in the rear are the Miura and the Essenza SCV12. For all you Lamborghini connoisseurs, make sure to take note of this trivia.

Run-flat tires that combine ride comfort and wet performance

The test drive was a very compact schedule, and immediately after arriving, we received a driver’s briefing explaining how to use the vehicle and the driving rules (no overtaking), and then we were immediately guided to the Revuelto waiting in the pits. We were at the mercy of a Disneyland-like operation, and then we got into the designated bright yellow car.

The tires fitted are Bridgestone Potenza Sport, 20 inches in the front and 21 inches in the rear, and surprisingly they are run-flat. However, as was proven in the rain at the previous Fuji Speedway race, they are a supersports tire that is expected to set a new standard in the future, combining ride comfort with wet performance.

The test drive consisted of two sets of three laps, including an out-lap and an in-lap, and the driving was done in a kalgamo style, with a lead car (Revelto) pulling two test cars. However, the test car driving ahead of me was being driven by Tetsuya Tanaka, a racing driver familiar to GENROQ magazine, and the professional driver of the lead car also enthusiastically increased the pace, calling out over the radio installed in the car, “Let’s go!”

Let’s start with Sport mode

The Revuelto is available with five driving modes, but we first hit the track in “Citta.” Citta, which can be considered an EV mode, allows for zero-emission 4WD driving. From here, we skip “Strada,” which is designed for general road use, and immediately switch to “Sport,” which at this point has a maximum output of 907 PS. If we want to test the vehicle’s limits on a circuit or elsewhere, we can choose “Corsa,” which produces a maximum of 1,015 PS, but we’ll save that for the second session.

In addition to the driving mode, there are also three hybrid modes, with the hybrid modes being available in three types: “Performance,” “Hybrid,” and “Recharge.” These can be set independently of the driving mode, so there are 13 possible combinations. Switching between modes is done using two dials on the steering wheel. The left dial is for adjusting the driving mode, and the right dial is for adjusting the hybrid mode.

As you’d expect from a hybrid supersport, the battery provides powerful motor output to assist the engine. You can enjoy incredible acceleration when accelerating full throttle out of Spoon Curve or a chicane, but of course the power supply is limited. I didn’t have time to check the battery level before and after the race, but in the second half of the third and final lap, I received instructions over the radio to slow down and “switch to recharge.”

The Corsa has more front pull.

I had imagined that the flagship V12 sports car’s large body would be overwhelmed on a technical and challenging course like Suzuka, but that fear was completely unfounded. Turning left and right in S-shaped corners was quick, and I was impressed by the excellent balance achieved by the low center of gravity and concentration of mass. Even in Macchan Corner (a high-speed right-hand corner from the hairpin to the spoon curve), where you want to push the pedal as hard as possible, I was able to do so with confidence if I chose the right line. This is a dangerous corner where stability can be lost if you take too long to change gears, but the quick gear changes meant I had no worries.

The low center of gravity and concentration of mass are impressive, likely due to the placement of the drive battery in the center tunnel. The space previously occupied by the transmission and propeller shaft now houses a high-output lithium-ion battery (3.8kWh) made up of 108 pouch cells (laminated cells). It’s quite large, measuring 1550mm long, 301mm high, and 240mm wide, but by mounting it low and in the center of the vehicle, the impact of the increased weight is kept to a minimum.

The first test drive was in Sport and the second in Corsa. As with previous Lamborghinis, Sport is truly “fun mode.” When you step on the accelerator in tight or medium-speed corners, the rear comes out with a jerk. On the other hand, in Corsa, stability is greatly improved, allowing you to step on the accelerator with confidence in tight corners as well as medium-speed corners. In Corsa, I felt a stronger pulling force from the front. If the rear-wheel steering, which increases stability at high speeds, works the same in both Sport and Corsa, then we should probably think of it as being adjusted by the front/rear drive force distribution of the AWD.

New possibilities for electric Lamborghini

There’s no doubt that the overall level of enjoyment on the circuit has been raised to a new level. This is partly due to the newly developed 8-speed DCT transmission, but I also think that the seamless acceleration provided by the motor adds to the sense of stability. As mentioned above, the Revuelto is equipped with three electric motors: two oil-cooled axial flux motors on the front axle and one radial flow motor built into the 8-speed DCT. Naturally, the front motors have a torque vectoring function by setting a rotational difference between the left and right, further improving stability and cornering ability. This harmony shows the new possibilities of the electric Lamborghini.

Being a plug-in hybrid, the brakes are by-wire, but the pedal feel is firm and solid, rather than the impression of adjusting the braking force with the stroke of the previous model. Since this was a test drive, I didn’t brake until the last possible moment, even in hairpin turns or chicanes, but the sense of security was greatly increased. It feels like a different era, including the braking force.

During this test drive, I was keenly aware of the 12 years of evolution since the previous Aventador, which debuted in 2011, thanks to the two senses of security provided by the aforementioned brakes and also by the evolution of the transmission in high-speed cornering. This car will surely capture the hearts of customers for the next 12 years as well. It is truly a car that guarantees a new era for electric Lamborghini.

REPORT / Takuro Yoshioka

PHOTO / Automobili Lamborghini

SPECIFICATIONS

Lamborghini Revuelto

Body size: Total length 4947, total width 2033, total height 1160mm

Wheelbase: 2779mm

Vehicle weight: 1772kg

Engine: V12 DOHC

Total displacement: 6498cc

Engine maximum output: 364kW (825PS) / 9250rpm

Engine maximum torque: 725Nm / 6750rpm

Motor maximum output: Front 220kW (299PS) / 3500rpm Rear 110kW (150PS) / 10000rpm

System maximum output: 364kW (1015PS)

Transmission: 8-speed DCT

Drive system: AWD

Suspension type: Front and rear double wishbone

Brakes: Front and rear ventilated disc Tire

size: Front 265/35ZR20 Rear 345/30ZR21

0-100km/h acceleration: 2.5 seconds

Top speed: 350km/h

Vehicle price: 65,432,406 yen