The Asterion concept, Lamborghini’s first plug-in hybrid, has all the makings of ‘the car that got away.’
The ‘hyper cruiser’ was first revealed at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, and it showcased a potent blend of high-revving gas engine, instant electrified torque, and surprising fuel economy. The finished product? A 5.2-liter V10 and three electric motors that produced 910 horsepower and a whopping 57.3 mpg.
Despite these impressive specs, the car fully known as the Asterion LPI 910-4 has a murky future when it comes to the production line. Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann told us in October that the car exists mainly to appease the 2021 European emissions standards.
The concept’s battery pack alone weighs 551 pounds, and necessary weight-saving measures would likely put the car “out of market” in terms of cost. What you’re left with is essentially a technological demonstrator, albeit a striking one. But even Lamborghini admits it prefers turbocharging to hybridization as a means to boost efficiency.
As a consequence, seeing the hybrid at a dealership near you is relatively unlikely. That’s not stopping the automaker from showing off the two-door’s futuristic lines, though, which is just what the brand did during the recent ‘Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este’ event in Italy.
The lavish name translates to ‘Competition of Elegance of Villa d’Este’ in English by the way, which basically means none of us were invited.
You’ll find a behind-the-scenes video of the affair by Marchettino above, and it shows the rare vehicle on the move. It looks positively gorgeous as it meanders around the shorelines of Lake Como, punctuated by a meetup with a classic Miura for a striking past and future exhibition.
Will the Asterion ever see the showroom floor? Winkelmann’s comments render that unlikely, but recent sentiments by other executives tease the opposite. All we know is, we’ll be watching.