Lamborghini showcases the Sian Roadster
Lamborghini has released a convertible version of their hybrid super sports vehicle, the Sian, called the Lamborghini Sian Roadster. Lamborghini’s most powerful engine to date, the V12, is used in the Roadster and is combined with hybrid technology, just like in the traditional coupe.
It’s clear that the Lamborghini Sian Roadster was inspired by previous Lamborghinis, but it’s also thoroughly modern. For example, the Sian Roadster’s aerodynamic air streamers behind the driver and passenger are directly descended from the first Countach’s signature Periscopio line, which runs diagonally from the cockpit to the back. The Y-shaped headlamps, a signature design feature of Lamborghini cars, are housed in the car’s low front, which also features an incorporated carbonfibre splitter.
The Sian’s front splitters, side air intakes and outlets, and rear spoiler all work together to distribute airflow through the car. Not only does this aid the Sian Roadster in its fight against aerodynamic drag, but it does so without sacrificing any of the roadster’s aerodynamic efficiency due to the lack of a roof. A lightweight and efficient cooling solution is provided by active rear cooling vanes that are activated by the reaction of smart-material elements to the heat produced by the exhaust system.
Lamborghini’s signature hexagonal shape is carried over to the car’s aggressive and powerful rear end in the form of six Countach-inspired hexagonal taillights. Like the Murcielago’s adjustable intakes, the rear wing is concealed within the car’s shape and only deploys when needed to improve performance.
Lamborghini’s Centro Stile, which, along with the Ad Personam division, works with each Sian client to completely personalise the colour and finish of their Roadster, has chosen the Blu Uranus paint scheme for the introduction of the Sian Roadster. Lamborghini’s official colour for electrification, Oro Electrum wheels serve as the car’s finishing touch. The interior is just as classy, done in white with Blu Glauco accents and Oro Electrum aluminium accents; the new design air vents are made using 3D printing, so they may be personalised with the customer’s initials.
Under the hood: hybrid tech
The Sian Roadster is electrified as part of Lamborghini’s future hybrid strategy without sacrificing the extraordinary emotion and dynamic performance that are signatures of naturally aspirated Lamborghini super sports cars, hence the name “Sian,” which means “flash” or “lightning” in local Bolognese dialect. The Sian Roadster’s hybrid system, which utilises a V12 engine with titanium intake valves, boosts output to 774 bhp at 8500 rpm, allowing for the vehicle to achieve the lowest curb weight possible while maintaining the maximum potential performance.
The Sian Roadster is equipped with Lamborghini’s supercapacitor technology, which, according to the company, can store ten times as much energy as a lithium-ion battery. You’ll find this important piece of equipment in the bulkhead between the cockpit and the engine, and it will help keep everything balanced. Despite being only 34 kilogrammes in weight, it generates three times as much power as a battery of the same size and weight. The most compact and effective hybrid solution features symmetric power flow, which guarantees equal efficiency during charging and discharging cycles. The electric system, which produces 34 more horsepower, is integrated into the transmission for instantaneous reaction and enhanced performance.
A total of 808 horsepower is produced by the Sian Roadster, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in only 2.9 seconds (thanks in part to an electrically controlled boost in traction force of up to 10% in third gear) and reach speeds in excess of 350 kilometres per hour. The e-motor can also be used to power low-speed actions like parking and reversing.
Of course, the Sian are more than just a violent race. Unlike regular Li-Ion batteries, the electricity stored in a supercapacitor can be both charged and drained. This means that the Sian’s energy storage system is constantly being recharged whenever the vehicle comes to a stop, and that the driver can immediately benefit from the stored energy in the form of an available power boost when accelerating away at speeds of up to 130 kilometres per hour (km/h), at which point the e-motor is disconnected automatically.
Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and CEO Stefano Domenicali believes that the Sian Roadster perfectly represents the brand’s ethos. It not only embodies crucial technology of the future, but also serves as an expression of stunning aesthetics and astounding performance. As we advance towards a tomorrow demanding new solutions, the Sian’s hybrid powertrain is a foreshadowing of the future for Lamborghini super sports vehicles, and the open-top Sian Roadster confirms a desire for the ultimate lifestyle Lamborghini.
When it comes to open-top hybrid super sportscars, the Porsche 918 Spyder is the only other competitor to Lamborghini’s Roadster. This effectively offers Volkswagen and Audi an advantage against supercars like the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1. It’s only a matter of time before state-of-the-art technology is made available to the masses, though, as is the case with every arms race. While we recognise that it will likely be at least a decade before this technology is available on more reasonably priced commuter vehicles, the thought of it alone has us salivating.
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