The Lamborghini Sian FKP 37

The Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 is the first mid-engine hyper car powered by a mesmerising V12 engine and hybrid technology that relies on the use of a supercapacitor instead of a traditional lithium-ion battery. With wonderful steering and a polished exterior, this stylish vehicle is car that exemplifies technological excellence, reports Oliver Taylor.
 

Under the skin, the Lamborghini Sián has the same platform, same suspension and same V12 engine as the Aventador SVJ, albeit with the addition of some titanium intake valves and an exhaust, which raises the engine’s output. With a total power output of 602 Kw, this car is the fastest and most powerful Lamborghini vehicle of all time, but also one of the rarest and most exclusive models. The origin of the name Sián is derived from the Bolognese word for ‘flashes of lightning’ that appear in the skies above Northern Italy, and was chosen due to the fact the car is the first production vehicle to include a hybrid supercapacitor.
 

A SUPERCAR WITH A SUPERCAPACITOR

This name also emphasises the main attribute of this vehicle, being an incredibly fast car that exceeds 220 mph (350 km/h), while the suffix FKP 37 relates to the initials and date of birth of Volkswagen Group chairman Ferdinand Karl Piëch. Only 63 of the limited-production Lamborghini Sian FKP 37s were ever created— all of which sold out at approximately £2,6000,000 each, before the official unveiling at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. Lamborghini’s Ad Personam program enables buyers to fully customise their Sián from the external car paint, to the interior stitching. Each vehicle is a rare one-of-a-kind masterpiece in its own right—every last one of the 63 Sián vehicles has its own uniquely identifiable colour. You’ll never spot two of the same vehicles on the road!
 

Whilst not being your average hybrid vehicle geared towards environmental concerns, the combination of Lamborghini’s iconic V12 engine, power and beauty, are merged with an electric boost to create what is an absolute marvel in technology, representing the finest in automotive engineering. Highly customisable and sleek, with a luxurious style that is evocative of the Bologna region, the car features a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine combined with a 48-volt electric motor, to produce a mind-blowing 819 horsepower.

Lamborghini engineers chose to select a mild-hybrid option which allows the Sián FKP 37 to mount an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, in order to keep the car’s weight down. The engine is also connected to a 7-speed automated manual transmission, which employs an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system, with a rear mechanical self locking differential to improve handling. The rear-wheel steering system enables the car to turn with incredible precision, and the advanced suspension function ensures a stable drive even on challenging roads. Lamborghini’s engineers have fine-tuned every detail to ensure the car is planted and responsive in any situation.
 

The electric motor is incorporated into the gearbox and assists the V12 at low speeds to deliver instant torque without any drop during gear shifting, and this provides a responsiveness that traditional combustion engines alone simply cannot achieve. A normal battery stores electricity in chemical format and has to convert electricity into a chemical- and this is why the battery takes time to charge. A supercapacitor stores electricity as electricity without the need for this conversion process- and this enables instant power. The supercapacitor provides consistent power and faster charging, and this innovative technology powers the electric motor with instant boosts during acceleration.
 

Another interesting feature are the autonomous vent flaps which open independently through expanding springs- without the aid of electric controls and sensors when the temperature around the exhausts rises above a certain threshold. When the engine cools, the springs contract and the flaps close and this is just another example of how the Lamborghini Sián takes traditional automotive technology and marries it with cutting-edge development to create something entirely unique.
 

A THRILLING DRIVE ON A V12 ENGINE

The supercapacitor extends the full width of the car, is three times more powerful than a battery of the same weight, while being three times lighter. The Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 also includes a highly advanced regenerative braking system that was specially developed to recharge the electric motor and the Sián’s energy storage system is fully recharged every time you brake. With a hybrid system weighing only 34kg, rapid charging and discharging is possible without overheating. Whereas a traditional lithium-ion battery can take hours to charge, the supercapacitor in the Lamborghini Sián is fully recharged in just 63 seconds. Because the battery recharges itself on the move via the regenerative braking system, there is no plug-in element to the hybridisation. The innovative use of energy storage technology with supercapacitors in the Sián FKP 37 is also a world first. Moreover, with a mind-blowing acceleration increasing from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in less than 2.8 seconds, this automobile happens to be the fastest accelerating Lamborghini ever made. It is quite evident that the more you look through the Sián’s features, the more the vehicle finds ways to justify its seven digit purchase price.

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The Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 took shape under the guidance of talented German automobile designer Mitja Borkert, a former designer at Porsche from 1999-2016, who also designed the Aventador S and the Countach. The body of the futuristic vehicle is created with carbon fiber, elegantly sculpted with sharp, aerodynamic lines and an unmistakeable silhouette, while the electrochromic moving surfaces and roof are controlled by smart materials.

The roof panel is switchable between clear and opaque at the touch of a button on the dashboard. A large car wing extends whenever needed, providing extra downforce and raising automatically with the increase in performance along the road. The fixed rear wing has the number ’63’ embossed on its winglets in honour of Lamborghini’s year of incorporation. The exterior design of the car incorporates the trademark wedge shape of renowned automobile designer Marcello Gandini, and the Y-shaped daytime running headlights on the car were originally designed for the Terzo Millennio concept vehicle.
 

Luxurious Italian craftsmanship can be expected behind the wheel of the Lamborghini Sián, which features a sleek design inspired by the Lamborghini Countach. The interior is dominated by sharp lines and geometric shapes. The comfortable seats and cockpit are designed to put you at ease, with a digital dashboard providing intuitive controls and instantaneous performance data for an enhanced driving experience. High end materials such as carbon fiber, Alcantra and leather, are harmoniously combined in a modern cockpit layout, which present a luxurious interior that is very functional. The fully digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system are an incredibly convenient tool, along with safety-orientated driver assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control, parking sensors and lane departure warning. The dashboard is also customisable, offering a choice of different display modes to suit driver preferences.
 

The world’s first hybrid Lamborghini is an absolute thrill to drive, and the Sián is an exceptional achievement in engineering, considering that it is the first time Lamborghini have used electrification in their cars. This automobile gives us a glimpse into what could be on the horizon for sportscars, supercars and hypercars. While being the fastest and most powerful Lamborghini ever produced in the world, the Sián also holds the title of having the best power-to-weight ratio of a V12 model in existence. Lamborghini’s 6.5-litre V12 engine is simply a masterpiece, surging beyond 8,000 rpm in a way that no other engine is capable of replicating. The supercapacitor in this Lamborghini is the very first ever used in any supercar in world history, and the Sián represents a commitment to innovation, quality and sustainability.   EG