The Lamborghini Asterion 2+2 concept, which made its international debut at the Paris Motor Show late last year, has been shoved further down the product pipeline as the Italian supercar manufacturer concentrates on its Urus SUV and thinks about its future lineup.
Despite the Asterion being a hybrid and boasting plenty of technologies that would make it more palatable in our emissions-conscious society, such as the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that is mated with its 5,2-litre V10 powerplant and two electric motors powered by a lithium ion battery pack, its development is now unlikely, says company CEO Stephan Winkelmann.
“It was built to show what we would do if the regulations forced us to have 30 miles of electric range as well as high-speed performance. They told us that they were open to innovation, including hybrid technology, but only if it came with the benefit of added performance. A Lamborghini super-sports car is driven maybe 3 000 miles a year, not every day, so the electrification has to offer an added intensity to justify its inclusion,” Winkelmann added.
If development of the Asterion had gone ahead, it could well have been a rival to the likes of Ferrari’s LaFerrari, McLaren’s P1 and Porsche’s 918 Spider hypercars.
