Unlike naturally aspirated engines, turbocharged ones typically do not need to be stretched to sky-high rpms since the boost creates the extra power.
Lamborghini's new twin-turbocharged V8, however, bucks this trend. Powering the new Temerario supercar, it can reach a racecar-like 10,000rpm.
Designed and developed by Lamborghini, the V8 is paired with a new hybrid powertrain with three electric motors. Their combined output of 907bhp (920 CV) lets the Temerario crush the century sprint in 2.7 seconds and propels it to a top speed of 340km/h.
Peak power from the V8 alone amounts to 789bhp (800 CV) and this arrives between 9,000 to 9,750rpm. Meanwhile, the 730Nm of torque is available between 4,000 to 7,000rpm.
The two large turbochargers are located between the 'V' of the engine, turning it into a 'hot V8'. This also makes the entire package more compact while optimising thermal management. Meanwhile, the electric motor situated between the engine and gearbox helps ensure immediate responses from low engine speeds, so that delivery feels linear and progressive up to 10,000rpm.
To achieve this redline, Lamborghini turned to motorsport-derived technical solutions. Titanium connecting rods, for instance, are light and strong and reduce rotating masses. The finger followers are coated in Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) to increase their hardness, so they can withstand speeds of up to 11,000rpm.
The V8 also features a flat-plane crankshaft, which helps ensure optimal fluid dynamics and an even firing order, in addition to producing an engaging soundtrack.
Lamborghini's goal is to combine the characteristics of a smooth-revving, naturally aspirated engine with the power delivery of a turbocharged one in conjunction with electric motors.
The carmaker says its new V8 "combines the pronounced linearity of the rev development in the previous naturally aspirated Lamborghini V10, with the enormous power and torque of a modern turbo engine."
