Lamborghini LB744: The New Benchmark for Hybrid Supercars

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Lamborghini has unveiled the primary particulars of the primary HPEV (Excessive Efficiency Electrified Car) hybrid tremendous sports activities automotive, codenamed LB744, which is able to make its debut shortly within the yr that Lamborghini celebrates its sixtieth anniversary. With the LB744, Lamborghini has established a brand new benchmark by way of efficiency and driving pleasure: an all-new structure with new powertrain delivers greater than 1000 CV in whole, combining the facility of a model new 12-cylinder inner combustion engine with three electrical motors and a ground-breaking double clutch gearbox that makes its debut on the 12-cylinder Lamborghini.

The automotive showcases an unprecedented structure: the naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 mid-mounted engine is complemented by three electrical motors, one in all which is built-in into the brand new double-clutch eight-speed gearbox. That is mounted transversely and positioned for the primary time behind the combustion engine. In what has been the transmission tunnel for the reason that days of the Countach, there’s a lithium-ion battery as an alternative, which powers the electrical motors.

The electrical motors increase energy supply at low revs and may also flip the brand new LB744 right into a purely electrical automotive, decreasing total CO2 emissions by 30% in comparison with the Aventador Ultimae[1].

A novel structure

Lamborghini has been synonymous with V12 engines for the reason that firm was based. The very first Lamborghini mannequin to sport this attribute engine was the long-lasting 350GT launched in 1963. The primary time that an electrical motor was matched to a 12-cylinder inner combustion engine in a Lamborghini was in 2019 with the Sián, which used a 25 kW electrical engine to help the earlier era of V12, storing {the electrical} power in a supercapacitor.

The LB744 introduces an unprecedented hybrid structure and a brand new era of V12. The automotive is launched because the very first Excessive Efficiency Electrified Car – HPEV: a plug-in hybrid tremendous sports activities automotive geared up with a light-weight high-power lithium ion battery, housed throughout the transmission tunnel within the central part of the chassis. It’s an progressive answer, designed to scale back emissions in comparison with the earlier V12 whereas maximizing efficiency.

The brand new L545 engine has a capability of 6.5 liters and is the lightest and strongest 12-cylinder engine ever made by Lamborghini. In whole it weighs simply 218 kilograms: 17 kilograms lower than the Aventador unit. The LB744 options the engine rotated via 180 levels in comparison with the Aventador structure. The superquadro V12 places out 825 CV at 9250 revs per minute due to the redesigned distribution system that helps a most rev vary of 9500 rpm. Particular energy is 128 CV per liter, the best output within the historical past of Lamborghini’s 12-cylinder engines, whereas most torque is 725 Nm at 6750 rpm.

The air consumption ducts to the cylinders have been re-engineered to extend the provision of air and assure optimum airflow within the combustion chamber. The combustion throughout the precise engine has additionally been optimized, due to the regulation of ionization within the chamber with two management models: an answer already used within the Aventador and now transferred to the brand new mannequin. The brand new combustion system can be characterised by an elevated compression ratio (12.6:1 in comparison with 11.8:1 for the Aventador Ultimae). The fluid dynamics of the exhaust have additionally been improved to scale back counter-pressure at excessive revs and enhance the particular energy output.

From the very starting, Lamborghini automobiles had been famed for his or her uniquely emotional and unmistakable sound. Specific consideration has been lavished on the ‘soundtrack’ of the brand new L545 to emphasise the tone of the engine, already melodious at low revs after which rising to a pure harmonious crescendo.

Electrical four-wheel drive

The LB744 retains one in all Lamborghini’s strongest traditions: four-wheel drive. In addition to the interior combustion engine that gives energy to the rear wheels, a pair of electrical motors now make their debut on the entrance axle, every supplying traction to one of many entrance wheels. There’s additionally a 3rd electrical motor positioned above the eight-speed double-clutch gearbox that may provide energy to the rear wheels, relying on the chosen driving mode and the circumstances.

The mixed torque from the combustion engine and three electrical motors provides efficiency ranges which might be distinctive even throughout the area of tremendous sports activities automobiles, with 725 Nm produced by the interior combustion engine and 350 Nm from every of the entrance electrical motors. In whole, the facility unit delivers a mixed most output of 1015 CV.

The 2 electrical motors on the entrance are oil-cooled axial flux models and provide an distinctive weight-to-power ratio: 18.5 kilograms from every of the 110 kW models. In addition to offering energy to the entrance wheels, additionally they have a torque vectoring operate, optimizing driving dynamics, and recuperating the power produced below braking. When in electrical mode, the LB744 is front-wheel drive solely to optimize power consumption, whereas electrical drive to the rear axle is activated on demand when wanted.

Zero-emissions efficiency

The Lamborghini LB744 is provided with a lithium-ion excessive particular energy (4500 W/kg) battery pack located throughout the central tunnel, maintaining the middle of gravity as little as doable and guaranteeing optimum weight distribution. The battery is protected by a decrease structural layer and is linked to the entrance electrical motors, the rear electrical motor, and an built-in recharging unit.

The battery is 1550mm lengthy, 301mm excessive, and 240mm extensive, containing pouch cells with an total capability of three.8 kWh. When the cost drops right down to zero it may be recharged utilizing each atypical home alternating and charging column present as much as 7 kW in energy, and fully recharges in simply half-hour. It will also be recharged below regenerative braking from the entrance wheels or instantly from the V12 engine in simply six minutes.

Stepping into gear

The adoption of a brand new platform has delivered progressive technical selections involving the gearbox: the nerve heart of the hybrid plug-in unit. To realize its targets, Lamborghini has developed a brand new compact transmission unit that is ready to meet the wants of such a potent electrical energy unit. The unit was developed and designed by Lamborghini solely in-house, and after the LB744 it can go on to equip the subsequent era of tremendous sports activities automobiles from Sant’Agata Bolognese.

Lamborghini’s analysis and growth division developed a moist double clutch as essentially the most environment friendly and performance-oriented answer, finest able to managing the 725 Nm of torque at 6750 rpm from the interior combustion engine.

The brand new eight-speed gearbox is positioned transversally behind the longitudinal V12 engine, to depart house within the tunnel for the lithium-ion battery that feeds the electrical motors. It’s a technical answer that’s distinctive on this planet of high-performance automobiles, and locations Lamborghini as soon as extra on the cutting-edge of automotive engineering. The structure helps to maintain the automotive’s wheelbase contained and helps efficient weight distribution for the perfect driving dynamics.

Within the 60-year historical past of Lamborghini, solely two different V12 automobiles have been geared up with a transverse rear gearbox: the revolutionary Miura launched in 1966, which additionally adopted a mid-rear transverse engine structure; and the Essenza SCV12, a track-focused hypercar with a longitudinal engine and load-bearing transverse gearbox.

The inner construction of the brand new gearbox has two distinct shafts versus the standard three. One manages the even-numbered gears, the opposite manages the odd numbers. Each have interaction the identical rotor. This structure helps to maintain down the general weight whereas additionally saving house.

The event of an eight-speed Double Clutch Transmission (DCT) comes from the need to create a unit that gives every part wanted for sporty driving equivalent to quick gear shifts, whereas the inclusion of an eighth ratio helps optimize gasoline consumption and drivability whereas cruising. A specific function is the ‘steady downshifting’, which drops down a number of gears below braking just by holding down the left paddle, giving the driving force the sensation of whole management.

Leaving apart {the electrical} elements, the brand new DCT gearbox is lighter and sooner by way of shifting velocity in comparison with the seven-speed double clutch unit that’s used within the Huracán vary. The transverse structure has additionally allowed for a extra spacious cabin inside, creating extra room behind the driving force and passenger to enhance consolation.

The double-clutch gearbox is extraordinarily compact; simply 560mm lengthy, 750mm extensive and 580mm excessive. Whole weight is simply 193 kg, which features a new element elementary to the automotive’s hybrid structure: the rear electrical motor, with most energy of 110kW and peak torque of 150Nm.

Positioned above the gearbox, this electrical motor doubles because the starter motor and generator, in addition to supplying power to the entrance electrical motors through the battery within the transmission tunnel. In full electrical mode it will probably additionally present energy to the rear wheels that, along with the e-motors driving the entrance wheels, permits zero-emission four-wheel drive. How the system features will depend on which driving mode is engaged, due to an uncoupling mechanism with a devoted synchroniser permitting the connection to the double-clutch gearbox. When it’s offering extra energy to the V12 inner combustion engine, the electrical motor is in P3 place, separated from the gearbox, whereas it strikes into the P2 place to recharge the battery at low speeds and when parked, additionally serving a starter motor.

Within the P3 place, the LB744 can turn out to be an electrical four-wheel drive automotive, relying on the drive mode chosen, persevering with Lamborghini’s four-wheel drive custom even with zero emissions.

Reverse gear is offered by the 2 entrance electrical motors, though if further momentum is required the rear electrical motor may also kick in, which prompts the rear axle and wheels. Consequently, the brand new LB744 can drive all 4 wheels in zero emission mode even when reversing in low grip circumstances.

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