As Lamborghini phases out the Huracán, the iconic V-10 engine will also retire. However, the renowned Italian automaker remains committed to crafting thrilling powertrains. The company has recently unveiled preliminary details about the engine that will power the Huracán’s successor, a twin-turbocharged V-8, and the prospects are quite exciting.
A standout feature of this engine is its ability to rev up to 10,000 RPM—a remarkable feat for turbocharged engines, surpassed only by a select few like the Mercedes-AMG One, Aston Martin Valkyrie, and the T.33 and T.50 models from Gordon Murray Automotive.
The engine boasts a displacement of 4.0 liters, delivering a peak power of 789 horsepower within the 9,000 to 9,750 RPM range, and generating 538 pound-feet of torque across 4,000 to 7,000 RPM. It marks Lamborghini’s first venture into flat-plane V-8 engines and features a “hot-vee” design, positioning the turbochargers in the space between the cylinder banks. It also incorporates a dry sump lubrication system to maintain optimal oil flow under all driving conditions and benefits from direct fuel injection.
Achieving high revolutions in an engine requires a lightweight rotating assembly, which is why this particular V-8 engine is equipped with titanium rods. Lamborghini has opted to replace the conventional bucket-and-shim tappets with more efficient finger followers for valve actuation. These finger followers, which are essentially metal levers activated by the camshaft lobes, are lighter and enable the engine to reach higher speeds. This type of valvetrain is typically found in high-performance racing engines and motorcycles, and is also utilized by Ferrari in their V-12 engines, Porsche in their 4.0-liter engines, and Ford in select Mustang V-8 models.
Enhancing this setup, Lamborghini incorporates a hybrid system akin to the one found in the new Revuelto. The engine is coupled with an electric motor that delivers 147 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, positioned between the engine and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission mounted transversely. This transmission is identical to the one in the Revuelto; however, unlike the V-12 variant where the electric motor is mounted on the gearbox, the Huracán’s successor features the motor in a conventional spot between the engine and transmission. This motor is of the axial-flux variety, which is slimmer than standard electric motors, a design choice also made by McLaren and Ferrari in their latest hybrid vehicles.
Lamborghini indicates that the upcoming Huracán model will employ a three-motor hybrid system, presumably with one motor dedicated to each of the front wheels, similar to the Revuelto. However, specific details on this configuration have not been disclosed.
Currently, Lamborghini is field-testing this V-8 engine in the SC63 LMDh prototype race car. In this application, the engine has a displacement of 3.8 liters and is paired with a distinct hybrid system. The debut of the Huracán’s successor is anticipated for August.