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Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4 is silent but deadly [w/video]

The weirdest thing happened last night. During the annual Volkswagen Group Night festivities, everyone waited in anticipation for the Lamborghini section of the press conference. It's usually a treat for the senses - cool to look at, backed up by a ferocious sound that bellows throughout the venue. But not this time. There was no music, there were no laser lights, and most remarkably, there was no sound. The Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4 drove onto stage under fully silent electric power. Audibly, at least, it was perhaps the most anti-climactic Lambo introduction we've ever witnessed.
And that's the big story with this new Lamborghini concept: it's a plug-in hybrid. Of course, it's still a product of the storied Italian supercar maker, so that electric powertrain is mated to a 5.2-liter V10, and total system output is rated at a staggering 910 horsepower. It'll run up to 31 miles on pure electric power at speeds of up to 78 miles per hour, and its 0-62 time is estimated to be three seconds flat. Top speed? 199 mph. In other words, it may be capable of silence, but it still carries a stick, and it's still very much a Lambo.
So will the company actually build something like this? Right now, it doesn't look likely. Back in August at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Autoblog spoke with Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann about the then-off-the-record Asterion concept, who told us that if the automaker should choose to expand its model range, the bigger priority right now would be the Urus crossover. This is merely just a way to show how Lamborghini might present a gasoline-electric vehicle. And after scoping it out in person here at the Paris Motor Show, we have to say, it's cool. The styling is a bit softer and understated compared to the audacious Aventador or angular Huracán. But it still has quite a presence and it's still very much a Raging Bull.

Lamborghini Lanzador concept is a megawatt wedge previewing the first Lamborghini EV

Two years ago, Lamborghini confirmed that it would launch a fully-electric car of some sort. Today, we get our first glimpse of what that will be with the Lanzador concept. It's a precursor to a production model that will be sold alongside the other mainline models such as Urus, Revuelto and the Huracan's successor. The Lanzador's styling is very obviously Lamborghini, what with its wedge shape that runs from stem to stern. The huge fenders, squinting headlights and hexagonal taillight elements are familiar, too. The question is, is it more of a squashed Urus, or a pumped-up Revuelto. We're not sure there's a wrong answer. It does seem to be something of an SUV or crossover with its relatively high ride height and the 2+2 seating position. Lamborghini calls it an "Ultra GT," which reminds us a bit of Aston Martin calling its DB12 a "super tourer." Whatever it is, it happens to have just two doors, or three if you count the rear hatchback. We particularly like the 23-inch wheels that are hexagonal renditions of classic Lambo phone-dial wheels. Just above those wheels are some nifty hidden wheel well air vents that are part of an extensive array of active aerodynamic elements to optimize either drag for efficiency or downforce for performance. Inside, two sets of aggressive-looking sport seats are available for the driver and their friends to enjoy the "Ultra GT" life. The dash consists of two cowls with screens for the driver and passenger. Down the center is a cluster of controls that looks straight out of an alien spacecraft for operating infotainment functions. The typical Lamborghini starter button with safety cover returns, and amusingly, it still references starting an engine in an electric vehicle that has no engine. Lamborghini also notes that the interior uses wool upholstery, more sustainable leather and recycled materials. Even some carbon fiber is recycled using a method that combines layers of reprocessed pieces with a more attractive top layer to finish them off. And besides space for four people, the rear cargo area seems quite spacious as well as versatile thanks to folding rear seats and the hatch. And if that's not enough, there's a front trunk, too. Mechanically, details are a little scarce, but Lamborghini says the Lanzador would feature a pair of electric motors for all-wheel drive, and output would be more than 1,300 horsepower (more than 1 megawatt as Lamborghini put it).

Tamara Ecclestone's Lamborghini has gone missing

A Lamborghini Aventador owned by socialite Tamara Ecclestone has disappeared from a garage in London where it was being serviced. The daughter of billionaire Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone reportedly purchased the car a couple of years ago from a dealer named Ziad Shawadi when she was dating businessman Omar Khyami. The supercar was put under Omar's name to secure a resident's parking permit, but it was registered to her Chelsea, London, address.
Tamara tried to sell the Lamborghini last summer after the couple split, but learned that her boyfriend had used the $400,000 exotic as collateral on a loan - and that set off a legal battle due for a hearing later this year.
But now the car has disappeared, and the culprits are alleged to be men working for Shawadi who have apparently repossessed it as a result of the outstanding loan. Ecclestone filed a complaint at a Notting Hill police station, but the authorities have said they won't be moving on this one. There has been no word on the fate of the parking permit.