The 2019 Lamborghini Asterion Is a 900-Hp Rocket Ship

What It Is

A two-seat hybrid GT christened with the name of the original minotaur from Greek mythology. Why? Because Lambos have to be named after bulls and a minotaur is a hybrid of a man and a bull, which is both clever and better-sounding than LaLamborghini.

Why It Matters

Alongside the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, and Porsche 918 Spyder, the Asterion further cements hybrid systems as appropriate kit for future supercars. At the very least, hybridization will be one stopgap Lamborghini employs to postpone its inevitable adoption of boosted and downsized engines.

Platform

A modified carbon-fiber Aventador tub with aluminum substructures, front and rear.

Powertrain

An Huracán-spec 602-hp 5.2-liter V-10 and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with an integrated motor/generator at the back end, while two electric motors power the front wheels. Combined output is 897 horsepower, and a lithium-ion battery pack in what would otherwise be the transmission tunnel is said to be good for 31 miles with a top speed of 78 mph in EV mode. Wake the gas engine, and the Asterion should hit 60 in a flat three seconds and continue to a top speed of 199 mph.

Competition

The easy answer would be the LaFerrari, P1, and 918, but Lambo stresses that the Asterion would be more of a comfortable GT than any of those. So toss in a Ferrari F12 for good measure.

What Might Go Wrong

Since Lambo already has two ultra-exclusive two-seaters, it might separate the Asterion from its powertrain, putting the 900-hp hybrid system into one of its existing supercars. Or it could pair the electric bits with a turbo V-6 or V-8 from sugar-daddy VW's parts bin, to stretch the Asterion down-market and go mano a mano with the Ferrari California. Or it could just not build anything at all like this car. Lambo CEO Stephan Winkelmann initially said that his company would not be building the Asterion, but his lieutenants later backpedaled on that statement. Either way, expect to see the hybrid system in production. R&D chief Maurizio Reggiani has said that a hybrid is his preferred alternative to engines with turbos or fewer cylinders.