When Lamborghini introduced the Aventador in 2011, it marked a significant step forward with 691 horsepower under its hood, a 30-horsepower improvement over its predecessor, the Murciélago LP670-4 Superveloce. Fast forward to the present day, and the entry-level Revuelto hybrid V-12 supercar boasts an astonishing 1001 horsepower, a jaw-dropping 30 percent increase compared to the mighty Aventador Ultimate. After our first drive in the Revuelto, we can confidently attest that it offers an even more exhilarating experience than the numbers might suggest.
Revolutionary Power, No Turbochargers in 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto
The Revuelto achieves its remarkable power without the aid of turbocharging. Lamborghini has embraced hybrid technology to prolong the life of its iconic naturally aspirated V-12 engine. This 6.5-liter powerhouse now revs up to an astounding 9500 rpm, thanks to the use of finger followers in the valvetrain, a design akin to the Corvette Z06. The most noticeable change from the Aventador is the engine’s orientation, which has been flipped 180 degrees. It now pairs with an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox mounted behind it, powering the rear wheels.
The V-12 alone churns out 814 horsepower and is supplemented by three electric motors. One resides in the rear within the gearbox housing, also serving as a starter generator. Two axial-flux motors up front drive the front wheels, and intriguingly, there’s no mechanical linkage between the engine and the front wheels. Each of these electric motors can deliver up to 148 horsepower, with a combined peak output from the 3.8-kWh battery pack in the central tunnel between the seats reaching an impressive 187 horsepower.
Testing the Limits at Nardò
Our test drive unfolded at Porsche’s Nardò proving ground in Italy, featuring production-spec Revueltos (as indicated by the conspicuous high-voltage warning stickers). We also had the unique opportunity to compare the Revuelto directly with an Aventador SVJ, a model that set the Nürburgring Nordschleife production car record in 2018.
Spacious and Tech-Forward Interior
Acknowledging one of the few gripes from Aventador owners, Lamborghini has improved cabin space in the Revuelto. While not cavernous, it offers increased headroom and shoulder space, comfortably accommodating a six-foot-tall driver with a helmet. The Revuelto features a prominent 3-D-printed air vent in the center of the dashboard and incorporates new tech elements, including three digital displays. Notably, a passenger-side screen can display various performance statistics, adding to the excitement of the ride. The Revuelto cabin also provides storage space and clever pop-out cupholders above the glovebox, reminiscent of Porsche’s design.
From Quiet Electric Mode to Electrifying Performance
Like other plug-in supercars, the Revuelto offers an EV-only mode, labeled Città. Although novel, it’s not particularly thrilling – imagine a silent, slow Lamborghini that resembles a first-generation Nissan Leaf in terms of speed. The electric range is limited to approximately six miles, intended more as a stealthy mode than a daily driver feature. Beyond that, the Hybrid mode manages the V-12, while the majority of our experience was in the powertrain’s Performance mode, which keeps the engine running continuously.
Unparalleled Performance
The Revuelto delivers astounding performance. While we await official acceleration figures, our firsthand experience confirmed its superiority over the Aventador SVJ as we pursued it on the kilometer-long straightaway. Lamborghini claims the Revuelto accelerates from 0 to 124 mph in just 7.0 seconds, a mere half-second slower than Bugatti’s Chiron on the same metric. The power-to-weight ratio suggests a quarter-mile time in the upper nines after a rapid sub-two-second sprint to 60 mph.
Crucially, electrification hasn’t diluted the visceral V-12 experience. The engine roars with a ferocity that tempts early upshifting well before the 9500-rpm rev limiter. However, for those who keep their foot down, the engine unleashes progressively more power until it reaches its stratospheric redline. Thanks to the electric motors, the Revuelto exhibits immediate punch even at lower engine speeds, delivering sharp accelerator response in Sport and Corsa modes, akin to high-performance EVs. Lamborghini has also developed two distinct launch-control functions, the more lenient of which allows controlled wheelspin from the rear when engaging the gas pedal after a hard brake while stationary.
Dynamic Modes Define the Experience
The Revuelto’s various dynamic modes drastically alter its character. Strada, the softest setting, doesn’t transform it into a luxury tourer, but it does smoothen transmission and accelerator response while softening the adaptive dampers. In Strada, peak output is limited to 873 horsepower, though the difference may not be discernible in real-world driving. Switching to Sport raises output to 895 horsepower, firms up the suspension, and offers a more lenient stability-control setting, permitting significant low-speed yaw angles before intervention. It also quickens gearshifts and adds a head-nodding torque surge to full-throttle upshifts. Finally, the Corsa mode unlocks the total 1001 horsepower, optimizing performance for track enthusiasts.
Agility and Responsiveness
Despite being approximately 490 pounds heavier than the Aventador, bringing its weight just north of 4400 pounds, the Revuelto on the track doesn’t feel as serious as it sounds. It exhibits greater agility and responsiveness when compared to its predecessor in a back-to-back comparison. While the SVJ demands more effort in slower corners and precise throttle control to avoid understeer, the Revuelto benefits from rear steering and torque distribution between the axles, enhancing its turning ability, apex finding, and traction, even under heavy braking. It presents itself as more stable during aggressive braking maneuvers.
By Lamborghini’s figures, the Revuelto represents a 490-pound weight increase compared to the Aventador, tipping the scales just beyond 4400 pounds. However, when tested on the track, it defies its weight, showcasing agility and responsiveness that outshine its predecessor. While the SVJ required significant effort in slower corners and demanded precise throttle control to avoid understeer, the Revuelto’s rear steering and torque distribution between the axles significantly improve its turning capability, ease of finding apexes, and traction – even during aggressive braking maneuvers. It appears far more stable in high-performance scenarios.
As the automotive world continues to evolve, the 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto emerges as a pioneering force, merging the brute power of a V-12 with the efficiency of hybrid technology. This supercar not only challenges rivals but also defies the laws of physics, offering a thrilling ride that redefines the boundaries of automotive performance.