Currently reading: Lamborghini Sian makes dynamic debut with limited-run Ducati
New 808bhp hybrid hypercar spawns a matching Diavel 1260 motorcycle from Ducati

The new Lamborghini Sián - a hybrid hypercar packing 808bhp from an electrified V12 - has been shown on the move for the first time as subsidiary company Ducati unwrapped a matching version of its Diavel 1260 sports motorbike. 

Limited to 630 units, the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini is finished in the same Verde Gea and Oro Electrum livery as the Sián and swaps a number of standard components for lightweight, performance-focused items, including forged wheels and carbonfibre bodywork elements. Hexagonal exhaust tips and a subtle Y-shaped motif on the saddle are nods to some of Lamborghini's characteristic modern styling cues. 

While the Sián sports the number 37, in reference to the birth year of the late Volkswagen Group chairman Ferdinand Piech, the bike wears the number 63 in reference to 1963, the year Ducati was founded. The two models can be seen together in the below video. 

Mitja Borkert, Lamborghini's head of design, said: “We are convinced that our design is strong and one of the most recognisable in the automotive sector. The unique silhouette, clean but extremely distinguished, defines the base of our design language.

"Our visionary design approach allows us to transfer our DNA to other products: this was achieved through strong teamwork, sharing our style and the advantage of being two brands inspired by the same values and a commitment to ‘fun to drive’."

The Sián is the most powerful and fastest-accelerating car Lamborghini has produced. 

When the model appeared in the flesh for the first time last year, Lamborghini announced it would enter production as the Sián FKP 37 as a tribute to ex-Volkswagen Group boss Ferdinand Karl Piëch, who died the previous month. Born in 1937, Piech was instrumental in bringing Lamborghini under the VW Group umbrella in 1998, helping the Italian maker to bring its pivotal Murciélago supercar to market.

Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali said: "Prof Dr Piëch innately understood the attraction and potential of the Lamborghini brand and how it could fit within the Volkswagen Group, whilst retaining its unique Italian super-sports car identity and design and engineering DNA.

"Prof Dr Piëch was an engineer and an innovator, particularly appreciating the appeal of the iconic Lamborghini V12 powertrain on which today the Sián FKP 37 combines pioneering hybrid technologies."

The Aventador SVJ’s naturally aspirated 6.5-litre 12-cylinder unit has been uprated from 759 to 774bhp with the addition of titanium intake valves and is mated to a 48V electric motor producing 34bhp, for a combined total output of 808bhp. In what Lamborghini claims is a first for low-voltage hybrid powertrains, the electric motor is integrated into the gearbox and connected to the wheels for low-speed reversing and parking manoeuvres. The charismatic sound of the V12, Lamborghini assures, has been preserved. 

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The developments mean the Sián will offer enhanced acceleration over Lamborghini's conventionally fuelled models, sprinting from zero to 62mph in under 2.8sec, with top speed claimed to be in excess of the SVJ’s 217mph. 

Power is not stored in a conventional lithium ion battery, but rather generated by a supercapacitor unit three times as powerful as a cell of the same weight, and three times lighter than a battery with the same output. The device, mounted ahead of the engine for enhanced weight distribution, is an evolution of that found in the Aventador to power the starter motor and can store 10 times as much power as the original. 

A regenerative braking system, developed in-house, sends power to the supercapacitor unit under deceleration. Energy generated in this way is available as a power boost at the discretion of the driver at speeds of up to 81mph. 

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The electric motor also allows for a smoother acceleration curve, activating during gearchanges to counter the effect of deceleration and resulting in a 43-75mph time that's 1.2sec quicker than that of the SVJ. Traction at lower speeds is improved as well, making the Sián 10% faster than a car without this system, according to its maker. 

Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini’s chief technical officer, said: “With this car, we set ourselves the challenge of creating the best hybrid solution for a Lamborghini super-sports car to provide the first step in our electrification strategy.”

Design-wise, Lamborghini says the model shows off “a visionary and futuristic design in combination with outstanding aerodynamic solutions” but one that still conveys “the heart and soul of a Lamborghini”. 

The Sián’s wedge-shaped silhouette is characteristically angular and wide and is said to be influenced by the work of Bertone’s Marcello Gandini, who was responsible for some of Lamborghini’s best-known historic models. 

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The diagonal lines along the length of the bonnet, six hexagonal tail-lights and roof-mounted ‘periscope’ tunnel are a nod to the Countach, while the low front splitter and Y-shape headlights are a set-up originally intended for the electric Terzo Millenio concept

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Downforce is maximised by the model’s prominent side air intakes and large carbonfibre front splitter. In keeping with the Sián’s “pure and uncluttered” design ethos, the rear wing sits flush with the rear deck, extending only at speed, while active cooling vanes along the engine lid react to exhaust temperatures and rotate as needed. 

Lamborghini will make just 63 Siáns, offering buyers a high level of personalisation through its bespoke Ad Personam division. All have been sold already. 

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Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: News and features editor

Felix is Autocar's news editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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Hugobear1 26 November 2020
Ducati cheapening their brand. Horrible bike. My 1098 far prettier.
Bill Lyons 26 November 2020

 

   With a name like that, it should sell very well in Wales.

xxxx 26 November 2020

It is all in the detail, how much power can that supercapitor hold