Lamborghini LB744 Hybrid Powerplant Unveiled

Italian luxury car manufacturer Lamborghini has unveiled the first details of its HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle) hybrid super sports car, codenamed Lamborghini LB744. The new powertrain delivers more than 1,000hp in total, combining the power of a brand new 12-cylinder internal combustion engine with three electric motors and an all-new eight-speed double clutch rear transverse gearbox. Lamborghini has established a new benchmark in terms of performance and driving pleasure with an unprecedented layout that features a naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 mid-mounted engine, complemented by three electric motors. The electric motors boost power delivery at low revs and can also turn the Lamborghini LB744 into a purely electric car, reducing overall CO2 emissions by 30% compared to the Aventador Ultimae.

The Lamborghini LB744 retains one of the brand’s strongest traditions: four-wheel drive. As well as the internal combustion engine that provides power to the rear wheels, a pair of electric motors now make their debut on the front axle, each supplying traction to one of the front wheels. The car is launched as the very first High Performance Electrified Vehicle – HPEV: a plug-in hybrid super sports car equipped with a lightweight high-power lithium-ion battery, housed within the transmission tunnel in the central section of the chassis.

The new L545 engine has a capacity of 6.5 liters and is the lightest and most powerful 12-cylinder engine ever made by Lamborghini. In total, it weighs just 480 pounds: 38 pounds less than the Aventador unit. The air intake ducts to the cylinders have been re-engineered to increase the supply of air and guarantee optimal airflow in the combustion chamber. The fluid dynamics of the exhaust have also been improved to reduce counter-pressure at high revs and increase the specific power output.

The car features an unprecedented layout: the naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 mid-mounted engine is complemented by three electric motors, one of which is integrated into the new double-clutch eight-speed gearbox. This is mounted transversely and placed for the first time behind the combustion engine. The electric motors at the front have a torque vectoring function, optimizing driving dynamics, and recuperating the energy produced under braking. When in electric mode, the LB744 is front-wheel drive only to optimize energy consumption, while electric drive to the rear axle is activated on demand when needed.

The Lamborghini LB744’s lithium-ion high specific power (4500 W/kg) battery pack is situated within the central tunnel, keeping the center of gravity as low as possible and ensuring optimal weight distribution. The battery is protected by a lower structural layer and is connected to the front electric motors, the rear electric motor, and an integrated recharging unit.

The Lamborghini LB744 is a unique and innovative solution, designed to reduce emissions compared to the previous V12 while maximizing performance. The car delivers zero-emissions performance, thanks to its lithium-ion battery pack that can also turn the LB744 into a purely electric car. With the new LB744, Lamborghini has raised the bar for performance and driving pleasure, providing an unprecedented layout and all-new eight-speed double clutch rear transverse gearbox.