Lamborghini has shelved plans for the Asterion hybrid concept cars, and instead will be focusing on the Lamborghini Urus, which is said to be launching in 2018.
According to Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann, the Asterion’s production is out of question for now. To recap, the Lamborghini Asterion features a plug-in hybrid powertrain to produce a total of 910 PS. Zero to 100 km/h can be completed in three seconds flat, before reaching a top speed of 320 km/h.
“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,” he said. The Asterion was first shown to the world at last year’s Paris Motor Show, and according to Lamborghini, the production version would undercut the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder in price.
“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 3000 miles a year, not every day, so the electrification has to offer an added intensity to justify its inclusion.” he added.
While details of the Lamborghini Urus is still sketchy for now, we do know that it will share the same platform as the new Audi Q7, which also underpins the upcoming Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne. For Lamborghini however, the platform will be revised to suit their needs. Expect a plug-in hybrid variant of the Urus when it debuts.
