Asterion: Lamborghini’s First Gas-Electric Hybrid Debuts in Paris

Porsche has its 918 Spyder.

Ferrari has its LaFerrari.

Now, at the Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini has teased its first hybrid supercar, the Asterion.

At this point, the Asterion – known formally as the Asterion LPI 910-4 – is a mere concept car. It is unknown if it will ever be put to production.

The Asterion’s name is more than just a name: it actually spells out much of its technical specification. “LP” stands for “Longitudinale Posteriore,” which describes its engine layout and placement in the chassis (longitudinal, which means the crankshaft goes along the car’s length, and posterior, which describes the mid-rear engine placement). The “I” signifies “Ibrido,” or “hybrid.” “910” is the peak horsepower output of its engine, and the final “4” specifies that this is an all-wheel drive supercar. “Asterion,” by the way, is taken from Greek mythology; it is the name of a mythical minotaur (a half-man, half-bull creature) and continues Lamborghini’s traditional link to all things Taurean.  (Ferrucio Lamborghini, the company patriarch, was born under the sign of Taurus.)

With a body shape defined by bold lines, angry creases, and gigantic scoops, the Asterion announces its intent, grabbing your eyeballs and making your mind imagine just what it could do given enough straight road.

Under its midships bonnet lies a 5.2L gasoline-electric hybrid V10. It generates its claimed 897bhp (circa 910 metric hp) thus: ~610 metric hp comes from the V10 petrol engine, while a trio of electric motors augments the power output by 100 metric hp apiece, bringing the total up to the claimed 910 metric hp. With this kind of prodigious power output, Lamborghini claims the Asterion can achieve a top speed of 199 MPH and can accelerate from 0-62 MPH in three seconds flat. The car can actually run purely on its electric motors, according to Lamborghini. Powered purely just by electricity, the Asterion can top out at 78 MPH and can go as far as 31 miles.

While it’s unclear whether the Asterion graduates from concept car status to full-blown production model, it’s very likely that the technologies its power unit boasts will someday boost Lamborghini’s future engines.