- Lamborghini’s Temerario lineup is expected to expand with a new rear-wheel-drive version.
- The upcoming variant will likely use a hybrid setup with less power than the current PHEV.
- Lamborghini is pleased with its hybrid lineup but hasn’t ruled out a non-electrified ICE model.
Even Lamborghini’s “entry-level” supercar doesn’t exactly do subtle. The Temerario, though technically the baby of the range, delivers a thundering 907 hp (677 kW / 920 PS) courtesy of a sophisticated plug-in hybrid setup. Still, not everyone needs quite that much firepower.
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For those interested in a slightly tamer option, Lamborghini is reportedly developing a more affordable, rear-wheel-drive version with a simpler hybrid system.
Rouven Mohr, Lamborghini’s Chief Technical Officer, shared this in a recent conversation with Car Magazine. “I’m not saying in the future you couldn’t see a 2WD version of the street car, and then perhaps a different kind of hybridisation,” he said.
A Different Kind of Hybrid
Mohr pointed to the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS as an example of how hybrid tech can be applied in a more understated way, calling it “a super example of a completely different hybrid approach.” This seems to hint that Lamborghini’s alternative version of the Temerario would move away from the triple-motor configuration in the current all-wheel-drive model.
Right now, the standard Temerario plug-in hybrid setup includes two electric motors at the front and a third nestled between the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Dropping the front electric motors would shift the drivetrain to rear-wheel drive, aligning it more closely with the spirit of the now-retired Huracan RWD.
The new model would still be significantly more powerful than its predecessor, as the V8 alone produces 789 hp (588 kW / 800 PS) even before factoring in any electric boost.
Tweaks Beyond the Powertrain
Judging from Lamborghini’s strategy with the Huracan, the new variant of the Temerario could have slightly redesigned bumpers and wheels, differentiating itself from the standard model. It could also benefit from a revised chassis setup that will be better suited to the RWD layout and the different weight balance.
Previously, Lamborghini hinted at an even more extreme version of the Temerario, one that could surpass 1,000 hp. This hotter model might take on the role of a spiritual successor to the Huracan STO, complete with aggressive aerodynamics and a more track-focused edge.
What About an ICE-only Version?
At the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, Lamborghini pulled the wraps off the race-spec Temerario GT3. That version abandons hybrid power altogether, using a detuned V8 engine with 542 hp (405 kW / 550 PS) to comply with GT3 regulations.
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When asked if Lamborghini could offer an ICE-only Temerario for the road, Mohr replied: “I would not completely exclude a non-hybrid, but it’s not on the priority list. The probability is quite low, never say never, but at the moment, we have a lot of other things to do, and I would not bet my money on it. Just because we’re going racing and it’s not a hybrid, it doesn’t mean this would be the right approach for the street.”
Where Hybrid Still Makes Sense
Mohr added that Lamborghini is lucky to have an electrified lineup when “everyone is wanting a hybrid”, adding that their strategy was “exactly the right one”. Even so, Lamborghini continues to monitor market trends as it refines its long-term plans.
That said, enthusiasm for fully electric supercars appears to be cooling. Lamborghini’s first all-electric model has been pushed back to 2029 due to underwhelming demand in the high-end EV segment. Likewise, the next-generation Urus SUV, originally slated to go fully electric, is now being redeveloped as a plug-in hybrid.
