The Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 is a Supercapacitor Hybrid
The Sian FKP 37, by Lamborghini's standards is a wild car. It's also among the first hybrid production cars to utilize a supercapacitor.
A 34-hp electric motor that is integrated into the manual auto transmission powers the Sian with speeds of up to 80 mph, when the V-12 takes over. This system allows the car to accelerate immediately and is more efficient.
Forged Composites
The Sian's hybrid system also has a trick up its sleeves - a supercapacitor battery. It's able of recharging faster than lithium-ion batteries, and the car can run for up to 63 minutes on electric power alone.
Lamborghini's forged composites are the most important factor in bringing this to fruition, and the material may eventually be used in regular production vehicles. It's a sheet of uncured plastic that's mixed with short lengths of carbon fiber strands that are randomly placed strands. It's not as attractive as carbon fiber sheets pre-impregnated but it's lighter and more durable.
To bring the forged carbon fiber into a shape, workers simply cut off the appropriate amount of mass, then place it in a hot press mold and squeeze it under the heat. It takes only a few minutes accomplish, while it could take hours to produce similar parts using traditional methods.
Lamborghini claims that its manufacturing-friendly materials could result in lower-cost products in the future. It's certainly expensive already but if the manufacturing process can be scaled up, it could reduce costs on both the materials and labor. Forged composite is also more flexible than woven carbon fiber and allows engineers to create complex shapes without adding astronomical costs or weight.
Carbon Skin
The Lamborghini Sian has a futuristic sleek design that is optimized for aerodynamic efficiency. The long, sculpted contours and distinctive aero wings define a striking profile, while its low front and integrated carbon fiber splitter enhance stability. The Y-shaped headlights as well as hexagonal shapes are classic Lamborghini elements that further emphasize the distinctive style of the car. The interior consists of luxurious Italian workmanship and state-of-the-art technology. The dashboard and the driver's seat are upholstered with a distinctive material, Carbon Skin. This material can be customised using the Ad Personam program.
The hybrid system from Sian is powered by supercapacitors, which combine the power and efficiency of an electric motor along with a battery that's 48-volt lithium. The quick-fired torque fills the gaps in acceleration while its regenerative brakes replenish the battery. The Sian can travel farther on one tank of gas.
Comparing it to a lithium-ion conventional battery, Sian's Supercapacitor has three times the capacity and recharges in only 64 seconds. It is also lighter and smaller. The supercapacitor, located in the bulkhead that separates the engine compartment from the cabin is powered by a motor of 34 horsepower that is located on the rear of an automatic transmission.
The Lamborghini Sian is based on the Aventador SVJ, which means it comes with the same rumbling V12 engine as the model. It shares the same chassis, suspension and four-wheel drive. However, the Sian's unique hybrid powertrain is its biggest selling factor.
Ad Personam
Lamborghini has developed its first hybrid vehicle with the Sian. It's an impressive statement. The latest creation of the raging bull utilizes supercapacitor technology to lower its weight-to-power ratio, but not cutting the power of its V-12 engine.
Ad Personam is a program that allows Lamborghini to personalize vehicles for its most loyal customers. This includes everything from leathers to interior and exterior finishes to special paint colors each of which must meet the brand's strict quality standards.
A complete spec sheet is available online. The Keylab can also arrange a consultation at the Sant'Agata Bolognese headquarters, or through a virtual studio. The virtual studio was designed so that customers from all across the globe could access an individual spec created by the team, without having to travel to Sant'Agata.
The name Sian is an Bolognese word that means lightning. It's a homage to the brand's history and future. The alphanumeric suffix FKP 37 is in honor of Ferdinand Karl Piech, the man who introduced Lamborghini into the Volkswagen Group family and died just prior to the Sian's launch. Only 63 examples were produced, and all are spoken for.
Specifications
The Sian is based on the Aventador SVJ, so it packs the same V12 and the same suspension and chassis. It also includes an electric motor that is smaller to turn it into an hybrid. It can be powered by electric energy only at lower speeds and use the gasoline engine for acceleration whenever needed.
The supercapacitor is situated in the bulkhead that divides the cabin from the engine compartment. It's three times more powerful than an equivalent battery of the same weight and three times lighter. The system recharges itself on the go through regenerative brakes, so there's no requirement to connect it to an electrical grid. The emotor is able to fill the torque gap during upshifts so that the car can accelerate 10 percent faster than it would without it.
Lamborghini claims that the design of the hybrid Sian is designed to convey a feeling of pure open-top energy. The exterior is made up of a mix of carbon fiber and orange paint, while the roof is a glass panel inspired by the Periscopio on the early Countach prototypes. Other highlights include aluminum detailing that is painted in Oro Electrum. This is the color Lamborghini uses for its hybrid cars.
Inside the Sian features a cockpit designed by Lamborghini's head of design, Mitja Borkert. It's a bit more wild than what we're used to seeing from Lamborghini and has lots of creases and cutouts. It's a car that's almost ridiculous in appearance, but still very eye-catching. The infotainment display is oriented vertically and has a button-free steering that has huge paddle shifters.