Strong Hybrid Supercars: Balancing Emission Reductions With Enhanced Performance
With increasing emphasis on emission norms and the growth of electric vehicles, hybrid powertrains are becoming more prevalent in the automotive industry. While hybrids in everyday vehicles are typically designed to improve fuel efficiency, in the realm of supercars, hybrids serve a different purpose—enhancing performance.
Supercar manufacturers like Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and Porsche are incorporating hybrid technology, but not primarily for the sake of fuel efficiency. Even Mercedes-Benz has introduced hybrid powertrains in its AMG lineup to boost performance. These high-performance hybrids do not significantly improve fuel efficiency but do manage to lower emissions to some extent.
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Performance from Hybrids
Hybrids in supercars are not primarily about fuel efficiency. Most strong and plug-in hybrid supercars offer a limited pure electric driving range. For example, the Lamborghini Revuelto, powered by a 6.5-litre V12 engine paired with a plug-in hybrid system, has three electric motors and a 3.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The V12 engine alone produces 813 bhp and 725 Nm of torque, while the combined hybrid system delivers a staggering 1,001 bhp. However, the Revuelto can only achieve a range of 10 km on electric power alone. Similarly, the Aston Martin Valhalla offers just 9 km of pure electric range.
How Do Hybrids in Supercars Work?
The increased power in hybrid supercars comes from the integration of electric motors into the drivetrain. Each manufacturer has its unique approach. Lamborghini’s Revuelto, for instance, uses three electric motors—two on the front axle, each driving a wheel, and one on the rear axle. The rear motor also acts as a starter motor and generator, supplying energy to the front motors via the battery and enabling all-wheel drive. The gearbox is mounted transversely behind the V12 engine, with the battery pack located in the central tunnel, designed to boost power rather than range.
In contrast, the updated Porsche 911 Carrera GTS employs a different setup. Its 3.6-litre boxer engine works with an electric motor that drives the turbocharger. This motor also serves as a generator, developing up to 11 kW using the turbocharger’s exhaust gas stream.
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Distinct Construction and Benefits
The hybrid systems in these supercars are distinct from those in typical hybrid vehicles like the Honda City , Maruti Grand Vitara, and Toyota HyRyder, which use the motor as an electric CVT gearbox. In supercars, the electric motors are attached to a mechanical automatic gearbox mounted between the front and rear axles, emphasizing performance enhancement.
While these hybrid setups may not improve fuel efficiency significantly, they do help reduce emissions, according to the manufacturers. This reduction in emissions aligns with global trends towards greener automotive technologies, even in the high-performance segment. However, verifying these emission claims independently remains a challenge.
The integration of hybrid powertrains in supercars is less about fuel efficiency and more about harnessing additional power while still contributing to lower emissions, thus blending performance with a nod to environmental responsibility.
