Lamborghini Revuelto
Lamborghini’s latest flagship, the 1001hp plug-in hybrid, V12 equipped, 3-electric motor Revuelto was finally presented to local customers a few days ago. While it was introduced globally in March of last year, production allocations and other issues delayed its release in the Philippines.
The Revuelto represents a new breed of super exotic sports car from Lamborghini, who up until 1998 were very much a small operation with modest output. From what felt like shed-built, all show and no go, chest-wig bearing sportscar is now finally a truly high-tech, cutting edge, technological tour de force proudly staring into an uncertain future with all the courage of a bull, its V12 heart very much intact. This is the brand’s Direzione Cor Tauri electrification roadmap exemplified. It means the heart of the bull in Italian, with Cor Tauri also the brightest star in the Constellation of Taurus, the bull.
The naturally aspirated 6.5 liter 12-cylinder alloy powerplant produces an amazing 814hp on its own, plus 725 Newton-Meters of torque. The three electric motors produce 187hp and 190 Newton-Meters of torque. One electric motor for each front wheel and another electric motor mated to the 8-speed dual-clutch Graziano transmission. The V12 drives only the rear axle, aided by a single electric motor while the front wheels get pure electric power as needed for maximum acceleration, stability and grip.
The carbon-fiber monocoque chassis utilizes a variety of techniques: some are autoclaved while some utilize forged carbon components and aluminum is used as reinforcement in key areas. The bare chassis is 10% lighter, with the front frame alone 20%. Torsional rigidity is 25% stiffer overall. The brand’s Aerodinamica Lamborghini Ativa (ALA) pr active aerodynamics is present to deliver impressive high-speed stability minus tacky wings and ground scraping front splitters. A bevy of underfloor vents and channels effectively guide air in and around the raging bull to maximize forward thrust. Torque vectoring and rear-wheel steering provides even greater agility and maneuverability.
The interior is cleaner, roomier, has a noticeably taller ceiling, which, when coupled to the smaller door sills makes entry and exit easier. As someone who has difficulty getting into and out of extremely low cars, I can attest to how noticeably easier it is slipping into the Revuelto’s cockpit. Lamborghini even claims there’s space behind the seats to put in a single small golf bag, while the frunk has room for two small luggages.
The Revuelto’s high-tech ethos reflects in its instrumentation: an all LCD affair (12.3 inch instrument cluster, 8.4 inch infotainment screen and slim 9.1 inch passenger screen) with only a handful of discrete physical buttons, unlike the gimmicky Aventador’s switchgear. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, and USB Type-C plugs are underneath the center screen. It all feels more Germanic but in a positive way, the feeling of heft and solidity versus flimsy and questionable build quality Italians of yore were known for.
Being a PHEV, the Revuelto has a modest 8-kilometer all-electric range from its miniscule 3.8kwh battery. Enough to escape from your basement 5 condo parking without setting off alarms, or avoid waking up the missus, kids and dog plus the neighbors in your posh exclusive gated community and earn the ire of those who cannot appreciate opera at the crack of dawn.
The three electric motors and the hotdog shaped battery situated underneath the center console all add up: the Revuelto weighs in at 1,775kg, a whooping 250kg heavier than an Aventador at 1,525kg. But thanks to the electric assist, the Revuelto sprints to 100kmh in 2.4 seconds all the way to a ~351kmh top speed.
At the dinner launch at PGA Cars Studio last September 12, Italian haute cuisine from Chef Tonyboy Escalante’s Antonio’s was served, himself an avid sports car enthusiast. The creme de la creme of sports car aficionados congregated, and the movers and shakers in Philippine society were present at the launch, clients of the Coyiuto’s Prudential network who aside from cars, are involved in insurance, mining and petroleum, travel and securities among others.
I spoke to Lamborghini Philippines’ President and Chief Executive Officer, Roberto Coyiuto III about how modern supercars are changing, and becoming more high-tech. Coyiuto says that despite the departure from tradition, there are still excited fans and buyers who are interested with the Revuelto. The bigger challenge, however, is finding allocation as the Philippine market struggles to compete for units versus larger markets like the United States, Europe and here in Asia, countries like China and Japan.
