The Lamborghini Revuelto is not just a supercar; it’s a declaration of war on its segment rivals and the laws of physics. While the Aventador was a powerhouse with 691 horsepower when it was launched in 2011, the Revuelto takes things to a whole new level.
Even the base Revuelto, with its hybridized V-12, produces a mind-blowing 1001 horsepower, a whopping 30 percent more than the Aventador Ultimae’s 770 horsepower. After our first drive of the Revuelto, we can confirm that it’s even more exhilarating than the numbers suggest.
The Revuelto’s astounding power is achieved without turbocharging, as Lamborghini chose to utilize hybrid assistance to extend the life of its naturally aspirated V-12. This 6.5-liter engine, which can now rev up to 9500 rpm, is complemented by three electric motors.
One electric motor resides in the rear, inside the gearbox housing, and serves as both a starter generator and a power booster. Two additional axial-flux motors are allocated to the front wheels. Notably, there’s no mechanical connection between the engine and the front wheels.
Each of these motors can deliver up to 148 horsepower, and the peak electrical output from the 3.8-kWh battery pack is an impressive 187 horsepower.
Our test drive took place at Porsche’s Nardò proving ground in Italy, where we had the opportunity to drive production-ready cars. The distinctive warning stickers were a requirement for vehicles with high voltage on board. We also had the chance to compare the Revuelto with an Aventador SVJ, a car that held the Nürburgring Nordschleife production-car record as recently as 2018.
Lamborghini acknowledges that one of the common complaints from Aventador owners was the cramped cockpit. The Revuelto addresses this by providing more headroom and shoulder space. A six-foot driver can even wear a helmet without it constantly brushing against the roof.
The Revuelto’s cabin features a massive 3D-printed air vent at the center of the dashboard and new technology, including three digital displays. The passenger-side screen can be customized to display various performance statistics. Furthermore, the Revuelto’s cabin offers storage space, a first for Lamborghini sports cars, and a pair of cupholders that emerge from above the glovebox, similar to Porsche’s design.
Like other plug-in supercars, the Revuelto includes an EV-only mode known as Città. While it’s a novel feature, it doesn’t provide the thrill of other modes.
The electric range is only around six miles, making Città more of a stealth mode for discreet maneuvering rather than everyday use. Most of our time with the Revuelto was spent in Performance mode, which keeps the engine running full-time.
The performance of the Revuelto is extraordinary. While we couldn’t record exact acceleration figures, the Revuelto proved its superiority over the Aventador SVJ on the kilometer-long straight track.
Lamborghini claims the Revuelto can reach 0-124 mph in 7.0 seconds, just half a second slower than Bugatti’s figure for the Chiron on the same benchmark. The power-to-weight ratio suggests a quarter-mile time in the upper nines following a swift 0-60 mph sprint.
What’s remarkable is that the electric assistance hasn’t compromised the visceral experience of the V-12 engine. The engine produces a savage sound when pushed, tempting the driver to upshift well before hitting the 9500-rpm rev limiter.
However, if you keep your foot down, the engine delivers increasing power all the way to its stratospheric redline. Thanks to the electric motors, the Revuelto exhibits instant acceleration even at lower engine speeds in Sport and Corsa modes, making it feel as responsive as a high-performance electric vehicle.
Driving modes make a substantial difference in the Revuelto’s performance and handling characteristics. Strada mode, the softest setting, offers a more comfortable ride with smoother transmission and accelerator response. It also softens the adaptive dampers.
While Strada limits the peak output to 873 horsepower, this reduction is hardly noticeable in real-world driving. Switching to Sport mode increases the output to 895 horsepower, stiffens the suspension, and allows for more aggressive low-speed handling before stability control intervenes.
Sport mode also quickens gearshifts and provides an additional torque surge during full-throttle upshifts. The Corsa mode unleashes the full 1001 horsepower for maximum track performance.
According to Lamborghini’s data, the Revuelto is 490 pounds heavier than the Aventador, placing it slightly over 4400 pounds. However, it doesn’t feel as heavy as it sounds when on the track. The Revuelto feels more agile and responsive than its predecessor when driven back to back.
The SVJ requires more effort to navigate slower corners and demands careful throttle control to avoid understeer. In contrast, the Revuelto offers more precise cornering, easily finds apexes, and provides superior traction when exiting turns. It also delivers better stability during hard braking.
The Revuelto seamlessly connects Lamborghini’s past and future. It adheres to the tradition of utilizing a naturally aspirated V-12 engine, similar to its predecessors since the Miura.
However, it also features a plug-in electric powertrain that brings significant improvements to the car’s performance despite adding some weight. The response from buyers has been remarkable, with Lamborghini reporting that the first two years of production are already sold out.
The big question now is how Lamborghini will further enhance the Revuelto in the future, with even faster, and more exhilarating variants. However, there’s little doubt that they will achieve it.