5 Ways The Lamborghini Revuelto Betters The Aventador Ultimae

Lamborghini has just taken the wraps off the world's first-ever V12 plug-in hybrid supercar, the all-new Revuelto. As the name suggests, this revolutionary Lamborghini represents something of a departure from tradition for the Sant'Agata Bolognese brand, but it's actually the inclusion of electrification that has allowed the Italian automaker to retain its most prized asset - the 6.5-liter V12.

Although the engine seems familiar, it's an all-new unit that has been rotated 180 degrees compared to the one in the Aventador Ultimae, arriving with less weight, more power, and a scintillating 9,500-rpm redline. And here you thought the Revuelto was a sellout for embracing electricity.

A redline 800 rpm higher than that of the Aventador Ultimae is not the only thing that the Revuelto does better, so let's explore five ways the new V12 Lambo improves upon its predecessor.

The Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae produces an impressive 769 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 531 lb-ft of torque at 6,750 rpm. The Revuelto's new V12 generates 3 lb-ft more torque at the same 6,750, but power from the L545 unit is rated at 813 hp at a stratospheric 9,250 rpm, encouraging you to wring the engine out. A compression ratio of 12.6:1 (up from 11.8:1 in the Ultimae) contributes to a specific output of 126 hp/l, the highest in Lamborghini's 12-cylinder history. Add three electric motors, and you have 1,001 hp.

In the Ultimae, 0-62 mph takes 2.8 seconds, 0-124 takes 8.7, and the top speed is rated at 221 mph. In the Revuelto, 0-62 mph is dispatched in 2.5 seconds, and 0-124 mph takes "less than seven seconds." Top speed is similarly vague, simply listed as "more than" 220 mph.

Whatever the final figures, the Revuelto is quicker and faster than its predecessor, and despite the addition of electric gubbins, the Revuelto claims a weight-to-power ratio of 1.75 kilograms/CV, which is the exact figure of the super lightweight Sesto Elemento and a vast improvement over the 1.98 kg/CV figure of the Ultimae.

Note: Lamborghini has not explained if the above ratio is based on dry weight or with fluids, but the Revuelto's numbers translate to a scale measurement of 3,916 pounds.

The Revuelto is claimed to provide 33% more front aero load and 74% more rear aero load than the Ultimae, with 61% greater efficiency and 66% more downforce in high-load situations (read: at high speed). That means it should be more stable than ever as you chase V-max. When it's time to slow down, the front calipers feature 10-piston calipers instead of six, with 410x38-millimeter discs offering 10 mm extra diameter. The rear discs get the same increase (now 390x32 mm) but still have four-piston calipers. The discs now have a friction layer for better performance and heat management with less noise. And if you hold down the left paddle, 'continuous downshifting' drops the new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic down multiple gears.

Braking done, you turn in and discover that the anti-roll bars are 11% stiffer in front and a whopping 50% stiffer at the rear. Combined with electric torque vectoring and a steering ratio reduced by 10%, the car has loads of tricks to make it rotate with ease, but the biggest has to be the monofuselage carbon fiber monocoque. This is 10% lighter than the Aventador Ultimae chassis, with a 20% lighter front frame and a remarkable 25% increase in torsional stiffness.

The double-bubble-like effect achieved by the recessed center portion of the roof serves a dual purpose. The first is related to aerodynamics, but the second is the one that will make you less averse to spending long periods of time in the car. The Lamborghini Revuelto offers occupants an extra 26 mm of headroom and 84 mm more legroom than the Aventador, and there's now even enough space behind the seats for a golf bag. It's quite likely that loading a set of clubs behind the seats will only be possible when occupants measure five-foot-nothing, but it's a nice concession nonetheless.

You also get the usual frunk, storage compartments under the center dashboard and between the two seats, and a cupholder on the passenger side of the dash. Koenigsegg owners are laughing as they read this, having been able to enjoy multiple cupholders for many years.

The completely new Human Machine Interface (HMI) system now consists of three displays, much like any contemporary Ferrari supercar. In the Revuelto, this means a 12.3-inch driver cluster, an 8.4-inch portrait-oriented center display, and a 9.1-inch passenger screen. Infotainment content can now be moved to either the driver's instrument cluster or the passenger's unique screen using a two-finger swipe. The navigation system is faster and features real-time traffic, weather, and related info, like parking spaces, gas stations, charging points, and so on. Opening hours and prices are also displayed where available. Alexa integration, along with that of What3Words and SiriusXM 360L, provides an extra layer of functionality, while over-the-air updates will ensure the system always stays fresh.

To be honest, even a CB radio might have been an improvement over the old Aventador's Audi-based system, but we're glad Lamborghini is doing this one properly. There seems to be a marked improvement in overall quality too, at least based on these images. We're less happy about all the buttons on the steering wheel, including those for turn signal indicators, both of which are irritatingly sited on the left spoke. This looks like an ergonomic nightmare to us, but Lamborghini claims it'll help keep your hands on the wheel. Sure, but it'll keep your eyes there too. Maybe the Aventador wasn't so bad.

This is probably the least glamorous element of a new supercar, but it's the most important. That carbon fiber monofuselage we discussed earlier, with its remarkable weight savings and torsional rigidity improvements? It's also safer for occupants and presents a world-first. The Revuelto is the first supercar in the world to feature a front crash structure made entirely of carbon fiber, and this offers double the energy absorption properties of a conventional front clip.

In addition, the Revuelto is the first Lambo with a complete advanced driver assistance system, which includes a lane keep assist system, a blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert, something that anyone who's ever reversed a Lamborghini would agree was sorely lacking from past products. A surround-view camera system is also included, so you have no excuse to curb those wheels. The Aventador had no more than airbags, stability control, and a rearview camera - the bare minimum required by law.

Then there's Lamborghini Connect, a tracking system that allows an owner to monitor fuel level, battery charge, electric range, and the exact location in which the car is parked. In addition, the Unica app allows one to lock or unlock doors, sound the horn, or activate the lights (some of this can be done via an Apple Watch), all remotely. More importantly, the system allows the owner to set a certain speed or geographical limit and even a time in which the car is allowed to be used. The car can't be remotely deactivated, but the owner will know if their 17-year-old son has gone for a joyride, where they went, at what time, and how fast they were going.

Finally, the Revuelto is safer for the environment, promising a 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions.