2021 Lamborghini Sian

Even Lamborghini is not immune to a rapidly evolving automotive landscape. It's taken some time, but the Lamborghini Sian is the Italian marque's first production hybrid car, and also the company's most powerful road car ever. As a preview of the automaker's future, the Sian nevertheless has one familiar ingredient - a V12 engine. Together with a 48-volt e-motor, the Lamborghini Sian's 808 horsepower output is realized. It can reach 62 mph in under 2.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of more than 217 mph. In profile, the Sian is a typical Lamborghini but the concept-like details will steal attention from even the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the Prancing Horse's most extreme hybrid. But even that car is far more attainable than this Lamborghini - all 63 Sians earmarked for production have been sold at a price exceeding $3.5 million each. In typical Lambo style, the Sian is excess at its best.

There are no changes to the standard Sian and Lamborghini continues producing 63 bespoke models. The Sian Roadster, the topless variant of the hybrid supercar, is added to the lineup for the 2021 model year.

Revealed in 2019 and with production beginning in 2020, the Lamborghini Sian's specs will shatter many perceptions of what a hybrid can and can't do. The combination of a 48-volt e-motor and a 6.5-liter V12 engine means a towering 808 hp and a 0-62 mph time of less than 2.8 seconds, all accompanied by the engine's animalistic wail. The car uses supercapacitor technology instead of traditional lithium-ion batteries to produce even more power without a significant weight penalty. Although based on the Aventador, the Sian looks markedly different with its aggressive design.

Certain aspects of the Sian feel quite old-school, but the same can't be said of the wild, futuristic exterior. With the legendary Countach providing some inspiration, the Sian features a notable Gandini line, but the aero wings give the Sian its own, unique look. The Y-shape headlights are unmissable, and there are many other neat details like the NACA air inlets on the doors. At the back, other than the massive exhaust outlets, there are six hexagonal taillights, once again inspired by the Countach. The car is about as subtle as a gun, and 20-/21-inch wheels only add to its menacing appearance.

Longer than a Mercedes-Benz E-Class but lower than a Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Lamborghini Sian has pure supercar dimensions. It measures 196 inches in length, 89.2 inches in width including the mirrors, and only 44.6 inches in height. The wheelbase is 106.3 inches.

At 3,516 pounds, the Lamborghini Sian's dry weight is 154 lbs more than the similarly sized Aventador SVJ, a minimal penalty for the electric motors and a testament to the weight-saving initiative of supercapacitor technology in place of traditional hybrid batteries.

Unsurprisingly, there is no online configurator for the Lamborghini Sian since all units have been sold. Besides this, the company promises the "widest possible range of customizations" via the Ad Personam customization program, meaning if you can dream of a color or configuration, Lamborghini will build it. The first Sian to arrive in America was finished in a vivid Arancio Atlas (orange) shade, but we've seen another one with a matte black color that looks metallic brown depending on the light and angle. From bright blues to greens to white and red, there is no shortage of Lamborghini Sian colors.

Lamborghini's 6.5-liter V12 is a masterpiece and hybridization has not masked its character in any way. It produces a staggering 774 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque. The 48-volt e-motor provides even more immediate responses, and it's powered by a supercapacitor that stores more power than a lithium-ion battery of the same weight. The electric motor produces 34 hp and 26 lb-ft on its own. Together, the system generates 808 hp.

With all-wheel drive - the only drivetrain available - the Sian will launch itself from 0-62 mph in under 2.8 seconds and to 124 mph in just 8.6. In the US, 0-60 mph should come up closer to 2.5 seconds. The top speed is just over 220 mph. Those figures translate into a truly exhilarating experience for the driver and passenger. The Lamborghini Sian's V12 engine is as boisterously loud as ever, and the way it surges beyond 8,000 rpm is something truly special that no turbocharged engine can hope to replicate.

The 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12 has the highest output ever from a Lamborghini power plant. Using titanium intake valves, it now makes 774 hp at a screeching 8,500 rpm and 531 lb-ft of torque. It's supplemented by the 48-volt e-motor's 34 hp and 26 lb-ft, bringing the combined system output to 808 hp.

As mentioned, that e-motor makes use of a supercapacitor instead of lithium-ion batteries. The supercapacitor can store and deploy a greater amount of energy, and do it even faster. So, while the supercapacitor can be quickly depleted, it can also be almost immediately recharged when the car is braking so it can deliver another burst of power. This transfer of energy is visible via a graphic display on the infotainment screen, and it's cool enough to be distracting. At higher speeds, the electric motor accounts for any torque gaps and makes acceleration smoother and faster. Another major benefit of the electric motor is how much it improves the operation of the single-clutch, 7-speed transmission. In the SVJ, gear changes are brutal, but the e-motor smoothes them out here by filling in the torque gaps, bringing the overall feel closer to a dual-clutch.

For all the talk about this mild-hybrid system, it's the V12 that still steals the show. It is powerful and bursting with character, and when extended, one forgets about the fancy electric bits almost entirely. It goes without saying that acceleration off the mark and even at illegal speeds is sensational.

Although it looks like an absolute handful to drive based on its appearance, the Sian's all-wheel traction, rear-wheel steering, and the remarkable precision afforded by switching to Corsa mode will quickly change your mind. Here, with all its settings tuned for maximum speed, the big Sian has a level of body control and quick reactions via the steering and throttle that are deeply impressive. The steering itself isn't brimming with feedback, but just enough information reaches your fingertips to prove confidence-inspiring. In manual/Corsa mode, the gearbox is also at its best. The downside of Corsa mode is that the car is extremely stiff in this configuration, so it's best avoided on harsh surfaces.

In Strada/auto mode, the gearbox ultimately lacks the smoothness of a dual-clutch or a regular automatic, but the ride is much more tolerable. However, the electric motor makes gear changes smoother than in the SVJ by filling in the torque gaps. It's always firm, but the Sian's damping is spot-on. Sport is a good blend of the two extremes, eliciting sharper throttle responses.

Regardless of the mode, the V12 engine's presence is always top of mind. Acceleration is brutally quick, and the cacophony of noise coming from behind you is extraordinary.

Despite it being a hybrid, the Lamborghini Sian has one of the worst EPA gas mileage ratings for any car on the market, a reminder that the e-motor is there for performance-enhancing duties only. Customers can expect just 8/14/10 mpg city/highway/combined, which is frankly awful. Despite the large 22.5-gallon gas tank, the range is limited to around 225 miles.

The Lamborghini Sian's interior shares its basic architecture with the regular Aventador, but the materials have been upgraded and there's a new vertical touchscreen. This screen is set above a flat center section that's littered with buttons. It all looks and feels special, though. From the driving position to the liberal use of carbon fiber, it's an exciting design. However, there's not a lot of space in the cabin, which will be a problem for taller or broader individuals. Visibility is also not a strong point. None of this feels like a dealbreaker once you're on the move, however, as the Sian is just so immersive to drive.

If you're over six feet tall, the interior of the two-seater Sian can feel quite stifling, especially in darker colors. Headroom isn't all that generous, and the driver's footwell will feel cramped for those with a large shoe size. The wide center console between the occupants is good to look at but further eats into space. You have to stoop down low to get in and out, too, but the scissor doors make even this mundane activity something for passers-by to gawk at.

Because there is no online configurator and each Lamborghini Sian is a bespoke creation, we can't tell you exactly what color options are available for the cabin. That said, we've seen enough examples to know that the options are plentiful. From tan leather to lashings of carbon fiber and Rose Gold controls, this car's interior can be configured to suit any taste. Others have had Alcantara seats in black with orange contrast stitching, but you can also go for cream-colored seats with blue stitching. As we said, the sky's the limit, but what you don't have to worry about is quality. The Sian feels expensive when you sit inside it.

Lamborghini doesn't bother to tell us how much cargo space the Sian has, but considering that the Aventador has around five cubic feet of space in front, we wouldn't expect the Sian to be any better. Even packing for a weekend away will be a battle.

Interior storage space is just as poor. There is a glovebox, but you'll find little else for small items besides the seat next to you - if it is unoccupied, of course.

Lamborghini is similarly vague about the standard features that are included with the Sian. You get a digital driver's display, push-button ignition, climate control, transmission paddle shifters mounted to the steering column, and power mirrors. Most of the exciting features relate to the powertrain and performance settings in some way, such as the buttons for drive modes like Strada and Corsa. The touchscreen can also display, in real-time, the status of the supercapacitor. If you were expecting driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning, this isn't the car for you. However, power windows and a nose lift system are to be expected, while US models make a rearview camera mandatory.

A portrait-style touchscreen is positioned in the center of the dashboard for main infotainment duties. Its placement isn't ideal as it's rather low and far away, and also more susceptible to glaring when natural light hits it at the wrong angle. The touchscreen allows access to media, the AM/FM radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and navigation. Lamborghini has not confirmed the availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, nor the speaker count of the Sian's sound system. Ahead of the driver is a sporty digital instrument cluster.

With no J.D. Power rating, no record of recalls by the NHTSA, and just 63 models produced, it won't be easy to establish a reliability record for the Sian. However, no serious issues have been announced for the hybrid Lamborghini.

We expect Lamborghini's usual three-year/unlimited-mile warranty to apply to the Sian, but as a special model, you can bet the brand will do its utmost to look after owners when things go awry.

The chances of the Lamborghini Sian ever being crash-tested, at least intentionally, are virtually zero. No Lamborghini Sian crash review has been conducted by the NHTSA or IIHS.

Perhaps the Lamborghini Sian's best safety feature is that, with its dramatic appearance and bellowing V12, most people will probably get out of its way as quickly as possible. The car doesn't come with any of the driver-assist features you can find on far cheaper vehicles these days, like blind-spot monitoring or adaptive cruise control. It does have a rearview camera, electronic stability control, and up to six airbags depending on the market it's sold in.

The Lamborghini Sian takes everything we know about hybrid cars and turns it on its head. It is dreadfully heavy on gas, but the e-motor and supercapacitor work brilliantly with the V12 to provide even smoother, sharper performance. We certainly hope that this is not the last we see of the technology. Despite being large and heavy, it is a surprisingly precise supercar, with the AWD and rear-wheel steering systems working well together. Outside, the Sian's looks will bowl you over, but the cabin is more restrained. It's not spacious, the infotainment system is average, and every single one of them has already been sold. But the Sian is sheer entertainment on wheels and extends Lamborghini's legacy as a purveyor of testosterone-filled supercars that most of us can only dream about.

At a price of $3.6 million in the USA, but potentially much more depending on how it is customized, the price of the Lamborghini Sian is as outrageous as the rest of it. Considering that the Aventador SVJ cost up to $600,000 and has almost the same 0-62 mph time, it's difficult to justify the Lamborghini Sian's cost. Then again, this is not a car that one defines by mere logic.

Although Lamborghini hasn't announced any packages for the Sian, we do know that the car can be comprehensively customized. This won't extend to features, but rather visual and tactile enhancements. The body can be finished in fully exposed carbon fiber or specific liveries, and a special "touch and feel" leather is available for the interior. As covered previously, the color choices are nearly infinite.

The Sian coupe is a bespoke supercar, customized to suit the specific tastes of each one of its 63 customers. There are no trims, but as long as you're able to afford the Lamborghini Sian's outrageous MSRP, there are likely more iterations than can be outlined here.

Not many 2-seater coupes would be able to stand alongside a Bugatti Chiron and draw more attention, but the Sian is one of them. The Chiron looks great, but it appears far more gentlemanly than the extroverted, brash Sian. This sentiment applies to the way they drive, too. Whereas the Bugatti is similarly quick but has an even higher top speed, its 8.0-liter W16 quad-turbocharged engine isn't as charismatic as the Sian's V12. The Chiron is also smoother, quieter, and a far better grand tourer - its cabin is also more refined. But if you prefer sweaty-palmed thrills, it can't match the more agile and noisy Sian. These two supercars end up being vastly different interpretations of the supercar genre, but each captivates in their own way. Forced to pick a side, we'll drive off in the manic Lambo.

The Sian could be considered an evolution of the Aventador. Both have a 6.5L V12, all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, and a cramped but expensive-feeling interior. For the Sian, Lamborghini added the e-motor and supercapacitor to boost power to 808 hp, up from the Aventador's 730 hp. That shaves a few tenths off the 0-60 time, but the e-motor dramatically improves the smoothness of the single-clutch seven-speed gearbox. It actually means that the Sian is not just quicker, but nicer to drive every day. Besides that, the Sian looks even wilder, has a new touchscreen interface, and is more exclusive. But it costs over $3 million more, a number that is impossible to justify. Just as well then that supercars are emotional purchases for the one-percenter to whom price doesn't really matter.