Lamborghini's first hybrid car is also the fastest

The new car, called Sián, will be the fastest and most powerful Lamborghini ever built, and only 63 of them will be produced. (The number commemorates the year of Lamborghini's founding, 1963.) The name, Sián, means "flash" in the traditional Bolognese dialect of Lamborghini's northern Italian home, according to Lamborghini.

The Sián is a "light hybrid," which means that it will still use its 774 horsepower V12 engine. Combined with a 34 horsepower electric motor, the car will be able to produce a total of 808 horsepower

The car will be able to go from zero to more than 60 miles at the time in less than three seconds and will reach a top speed of over 217 miles at the time. The hybrid system of the car adds 10% to its speed, according to Lamborghini. The small electric motor will also smooth the flow of power when the car changes speed, thus minimizing the sensations of jerking felt.

Instead of using a lithium-ion battery of the type used in most hybrid cars, the Sián has a lightweight supercapacitor mounted right behind the cockpit. Similar to other hybrid cars, the Sián will charge its supercapacitor during braking, then use that stored energy at low speeds and during acceleration.

Supercapacitors work differently from batteries and can absorb and release energy faster. For this reason, according to Lamborghini, the supercapacitor Sián will be fully charged after a short press on the brake pedal. Supercapacitors are also lighter than batteries. A disadvantage, however, is that supercapacitors are generally not as good as batteries for storing energy for long periods.

Lamborghini has worked with engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop supercapacitors for supercars. In 2017, Lamborghini and MIT revealed an all-electric supercar concept powered by supercapacitors. In this car, called Lamborghini Terzo Millennio, supercapacitors have been integrated into the body panels of the car.

Lamborghini has not yet publicly announced the price, but it would be included in the millions. The 63 Siáns that will be manufactured have already been pre-ordered. Lamborghini is part of the Volkswagen Group (VLKPF), which also owns Bentley, Bugatti and Porsche.