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VW, Mobileye to bring new automated tech to series production

Volkswagen will bring new automated driving technologies to series production as it deepens its partnership with Mobileye in automotive driving technologies, Europe's biggest carmaker said on Wednesday. Israeli automotive tech company Mobileye will provide driving assistance software based on its SuperVision and Chauffeur platforms to VW's luxury brands such as Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche. The technologies, which later will be integrated by VW's software unit Cariad, include assistance systems for highway and urban driving, such as automated overtaking on multilane highways, automatic stopping at red lights and stop signs, and support in intersections and roundabouts. "New automated driving functions will significantly boost convenience and safety," VW Chief Executive Oliver Blume said. Mobileye is also set to supply further automated driving software to Volkswagen's commercial vehicles unit. In future, the German carmaker aims to rely on its own complete in-house software system. (Reporting by Christoph Steitz, writing by Andrey Sychev, Editing by Miranda Murray and Madeline Chambers)

Lamborghini Urus Performante Special Edition is likely not for you

Inspired by racing, the Lamborghini Urus Performante Special Edition is a limited-edition model created for the 40 enthusiasts who bought the Essenza SCV12. It stands out from the SUV it's based on with specific styling cues inside and out created by the Ad Personam division. Standard carbon fiber add-ons, including the panel between the rear lights, help set the Special Edition apart from the Urus Performante. These parts are left exposed to highlight the use of the weight-saving material, but the similarities between the 40 Special Edition models will stop there. Ad Personam, the brand's in-house department in charge of designing one- and few-off cars, created a livery that echoes the Essenza SCV12 and that's characterized by styling cues such as orange accents and black trim pieces on the lower part of the body. Lamborghini designers worked with Essenza owners to configure each Special Edition model, and many buyers created a matching pair; some of the designs are pictured in our gallery. Black brake calipers and 23-inch wheels come standard, though other options are available. The interior's layout hasn't changed, but many of the design details are specific to the Special Edition. The cabin is finished in a color called Nero Cosmus and upholstered in a blend of black leather and Alcantara. There's carbon fiber trim that's either glossy or matte depending on the buyer's preference, black anodized aluminum accents, as well as the Essenza's logo on the passenger's side of the dashboard. Two plates add a finishing touch to the look: one celebrates Lamborghini's 60th birthday and the other is engraved with the customer's name.  While it would have been cool to pop the hood and come nose-to-nose with the Essenza's 830-horsepower V12, the Special Edition uses the same twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8 as the standard Urus Performante. The engine develops 657 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 627 pound-feet of torque from 2,300 to 4,500 rpm, and it spins the four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Hitting 62 mph from a stop takes 3.3 seconds (the Performante is the quickest member of the Urus range) and the SUV doesn't stop accelerating until it hits 190 mph. Pricing for the Lamborghini Urus Performante Special Edition hasn't been revealed, but the entire production run has been spoken for. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Lamborghini reveals more details about the Aventador's hybrid successor

Lamborghini has released additional details about the Aventador's long-awaited successor. Called LB744 internally, the model will stand out as the company's first series-produced hybrid car, and the latest teaser gives us a better idea how the system is set up to behave. Quick recap: Power comes from a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain rated at about 1,001 horsepower and made up of a new, 6.5-liter V12, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and three electric motors. This configuration allowed Lamborghini to dial in a 44% front and 56% rear weight distribution; engineers also fitted stiffer anti-roll bars and reduced the steering ratio by 10% compared to the Aventador Ultimae.  Enthusiasts will have four driving modes called Citta, Strada, Sport, and Corsa, respectively, to choose from. They'll also be able to select one of three powertrain modes named Recharge, Hybrid, and Performance. As its name implies, Recharge relies on the V12 to charge the lithium-ion battery pack in a couple of minutes, for example. The LB744 is also capable of driving on electricity alone for short distances. Selecting Strada ("road" in Italian) caps the drivetrain's output at about 873 horsepower. Sport mode unlocks 894 horsepower and brings with it profile-specific settings for the transmission, the suspension system, and the active aerodynamic parts. Finally, selecting Corsa ("race" in Italian) unleashes the drivetrain's full potential and configures the drivetrain's electrified components for maximum performance. Drivers will also have the option of disabling the electronic stability control system, and the LB744 will come with a launch control function. Going hybrid allowed Lamborghini to add electric torque vectoring to the front axle. We're told that slowing down the front wheel that's on the inside part of a corner makes the LB744 more agile while improving stability during high-speed driving. This technology works hand-in-hand with the four-wheel steering and brake-energy recuperation systems; it sounds like there's a lot of electronic wizardry happening here. Details such as the car's weight haven't been released yet. All we know at this stage is that Lamborghini designed the LB744 around a new carbon fiber monofuselage that includes a carbon fiber front structure (in contrast, the Aventador used an aluminum front structure).