- The replacement for the Lamborghini Aventador has been spied testing before it goes on sale next year.
- The presence of the yellow warning stickers on this prototype seem to confirm the plug-in-hybrid setup that the V-12 engine will add.
- The tight-fitting camouflage reveals aggressive character lines and gaping air intakes.
Earlier this year, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann dropped some hints about the Italian supercar-maker's upcoming products in an interview with the U.K.'s Car magazine, including details about the replacement for the Aventador. Now the Aventador's successor has been spotted testing, with the spy photos revealing revised bodywork and confirming the presence of a hybridized powerplant.
[image id='2f945d0d-b0ea-40a2-9d0a-4e204841f9fa' mediaId='fcd02848-5ee7-4e89-b48e-00c5f473cdc3' align='center' size='medium' share='false' caption='' expand='' crop='16x9'][/image]The key detail revealed by Winkelmann had been that the Aventador's replacement would stay true to its ancestors by keeping the V-12 engine, but that the supercar would gain a plug-in-hybrid system to help it cope with stricter emissions standards. The spy photos affirm the electrified setup: the prototype sports yellow stickers with a lightning-bolt icon, commonly found on hybrid and electric test cars. Lamborghini has said the V-12 will feature a new design, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it's actually a heavily revised version of the naturally aspirated 6.5-liter unit in the current car.
[editoriallinks id='f728a653-1ea1-4751-9c25-a8a592df885c' align='left'][/editoriallinks]While the supercar prototype is camouflaged, it is pretty easy to make out the revised bodywork. There are large intakes in the front bumper, but the inlets on the side of the car are truly colossal and wrap up the side of the car in a zigzag fashion before meeting the top of the windows.
[image id='f729aa4a-371a-4158-8cb5-8c3cfbd76b87' mediaId='193446c6-01bd-4298-9caa-0cfa1fef5e72' align='center' size='medium' share='false' caption='' expand='' crop='16x9'][/image]Around back, quad exhausts now sit at the same height as the Y-shaped taillights, while an aggressive diffuser protrudes from below. The rear tires also look extremely wide for maximum grip. The plug-in-hybrid Aventador successor is expected to go on sale next year, presumably bearing a new model name and beating the current car's output of 769 horsepower.
[poll id='5e004da8-d2a0-4f1f-9dbf-55738ff6f62c_cde7e15a23086' type='text' question='Will a plug-in-hybrid setup be an improvement over the current Aventador?' answer1='It will make it more livable.' answer2='It will dilute the car’s raucous nature.'][/poll]