Supercar manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini seems to be pushing its own boundaries. The Italian carmaker has launched the Lamborghini Sián Roadster: a limited edition, open-top hybrid supercar. It is engineered around Lamborghini’s iconic V12 engine, with unique hybrid technologies.
The roofless design of the Sián Roadster puts an exclusive group of drivers in one of the most spectacular cockpits ever: always open to the sky; resonating with the inimitable V12 sound from the most powerful Lamborghini engine to date; and experiencing extraordinary performance while reveling in the Sián Roadster’s role in Lamborghini’s route to future hybridization.
Reminiscing the iconic periscopio line inspired by the first Countach, the Lamborghini Sián Roadster offers an unmatched aerial view. It is further enhanced by the lines running diagonally from the cockpit to the rear. These also culminate in the aerodynamic airstreamers behind driver and passenger. The Sián’s sculpted contours and characteristic aero wings give the Sián Roadster an unmistakable profile. The car has a very low front with integrated carbon fiber splitter, that houses the iconic Lamborghini Y-shape headlights.
Sticking to its traditional pure and uncluttered Sián design, Lamborghini has directed the airflow in Sian through the front splitters and through the front bonnet, through the side air intakes and outlets and over the rear spoiler, with no loss of aerodynamic efficiency from the roadster’s roofless design.Active cooling vanes on the rear use unique materials-science technology patented by Lamborghini and operation of the vanes is triggered by the reaction of smart-material elements to the temperature generated by the exhaust system, causing them to rotate and providing an elegant and lightweight cooling solution.
The extreme and strong rear of the car incorporates Lamborghini’s signature hexagon design, including six hexagonal tail lights inspired by the Countach. The rear wing is integrated within the profile and extends out only during the driving to enhance the performance.
The low, powerful chassis houses the company’s next-generation V12 power plant. ‘Sián’ in local Bolognese dialect, meaning ‘flash’ or ‘lightening’, denotes the Sián Roadster’s electrification as part of the future hybrid strategy, while maintaining the extraordinary emotion and dynamic performance inherent in naturally aspirated Lamborghini super sports cars.
The Sián Roadster combines the V12 engine with a new powertrain, adding a 48-volt e-motor, delivering 34 hp. It is incorporated into the gearbox to provide immediate response and improved performance. The e-motor also supports low-speed maneuvers such as reversing and parking with electric power.
Lamborghini has equipped the Sian with an innovative supercapacitor application. The company claims it to be a world-first technology storing ten times the power of a lithium-ion battery. It is located in the bulkhead between cockpit and engine and ensures perfect weight distribution. The electric system with the supercapacitor and e-motor weighs only 34 kg, thus delivering a remarkable weight-to-power ratio of 1 kg/hp. Symmetric power flow ensures the same efficiency in both charging and discharging cycles: the most lightweight and efficient hybrid solution.
This advanced technology combines with the V12 engine, which incorporates titanium intake valves and is uprated to 785 hp (577 kW) at 8,500 rpm. Combined with the additional 34 hp from the hybrid system, the Sián Roadster delivers a total of 819 hp (602 kW). The supercar accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of over 350 km/h.
The Lamborghini Sián Roadster incorporates a highly sophisticated regenerative braking system, especially developed by Lamborghini. The symmetric behavior of the supercapacitor fully charges the Sián’s energy storage system every time the vehicle brakes. The energy stored is an instantly-available power boost, allowing the driver to draw immediately on increased torque when accelerating away, up to 130 km/h.
When the e-motor automatically disconnects, it improves the elasticity maneuvers and makes it more than 10 percent faster than a car without this system. The innovative system also delivers instant acceleration in low gears, with improved traction force provided by the combination of V12 engine and hybrid system.
The Lamborghini Sián Roadster benefits from a heightened level of driving comfort facilitated by the hybrid system alongside dynamic handling and performance. The movement felt during deceleration and missing torque caused by a traditional combustion engine, is eliminated by the torque upshift fill provided by the hybrid’s e-motor. Hence the driver will feel only the backward thrust of acceleration minus the uncomfortable jerking movements.
The Sián Roadster makes its debut in Blu Uranus, especially selected by Lamborghini’s Centro Stile, which together with the Ad Personam department works with every Sián client to entirely personalize the color and finish of their Roadster. Encapsulating the blue of the sky and the green of the fields, evoking the freedom and driving elation delivered by the open top Sián Roadster’s performance, the car is finished with Oro Electrum wheels: the color chosen by Lamborghini to signify electrification. The complementary interior is an elegant combination of white with Blu Glauco detailing and aluminum elements in Oro Electrum: new-design air vents produced via 3D printing allows customization with a client’s initials.
