Lamborghini, known for its high-performance sports cars, has recently unveiled the Temerario, a groundbreaking model that signals a departure from the traditional V-10 engine in favor of a cutting-edge hybrid V-8 powertrain. This move marks the end of a two-decade love affair with the V-10 engine for the Italian automaker, as the Temerario introduces a new era of power and efficiency.
The Temerario’s powertrain features a twin-turbo V-8 engine coupled with three electric motors, a configuration that sets it apart from its predecessors such as the Huracán and Gallardo. The V-8 engine boasts double overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, and a 4.0-liter displacement. While it may seem similar to the 4.0-liter V-8 found in the Urus SUV and other Volkswagen Group vehicles, the Temerario’s engine is a completely new design, showcasing Lamborghini’s commitment to innovation.
One of the key features of the Temerario’s powertrain is its twin turbos, strategically mounted in the valley of the V to optimize performance. Unlike some other turbocharged engines, the Temerario’s turbos do not incorporate variable geometry or electric assist, relying solely on their design and placement for maximum efficiency. Additionally, an electric motor on the crankshaft provides low-end torque support, complementing the turbos as they reach their peak boost of 20.3 psi.
Lamborghini’s engineers have carefully crafted the V-8 engine with a bore of 90.0 millimeters and a stroke of 78.5 millimeters, resulting in an oversquare design that prioritizes performance. Despite the unconventional choice of a flat-plane crankshaft over a cross-plane crank, the engine delivers exceptional power and a distinctive sound that embodies Lamborghini’s signature style. Rouven Mohr, Lamborghini’s chief technical officer, explains, “The flat crank also provides benefits on the intake side, and it produces the great sound that we wanted.”
With a redline of 10,000 rpm and the twin turbos generating 20.3 psi of boost, the V-8 engine produces an impressive 789 horsepower from 9000 to 9750 rpm and 538 pound-feet of torque from 4000 to 7000 rpm. The addition of an electric motor on the crankshaft further enhances low-end thrust and minimizes lag from the turbos, contributing to the overall performance of the powertrain.
Innovatively, the Temerario incorporates two additional 148-horsepower electric motors on the front axle, each powering an individual front wheel. These motors, along with the crankshaft-mounted electric motor, draw energy from a 3.4-kWh battery pack to provide supplementary power and improve handling. While the system limits the combined output of the three motors to 187 horsepower at a time, the total powertrain output reaches an impressive 907 horses and 590 pound-feet of torque, outperforming the Huracán STO in both categories.
The dynamic combination of the V-8 engine and three electric motors propels the Temerario to new heights of performance, with an expected acceleration time of under 2.6 seconds from 0 to 60 mph and a top speed exceeding 210 mph. This exceptional power and speed, coupled with the distinctive sound and personality of the powertrain, position the Temerario as a groundbreaking model that pushes the boundaries of automotive technology and performance.
Csaba Csere, a veteran in the automotive industry and former Editor-in-Chief of Car and Driver, praises the Temerario’s innovation and performance capabilities. As an avid enthusiast of high-performance vehicles, Csere recognizes the significance of Lamborghini’s shift towards a hybrid V-8 powertrain and the potential it holds for future advancements in the automotive industry.
In conclusion, the Lamborghini Temerario’s hybrid V-8 powertrain represents a new chapter in the evolution of high-performance sports cars. By combining traditional engineering expertise with cutting-edge technology, Lamborghini has created a model that not only surpasses its predecessors in power and efficiency but also sets a new standard for performance and innovation in the automotive world. As the automotive industry continues to embrace hybrid and electric technologies, the Temerario stands out as a shining example of what the future of sports cars may hold.