Through teaser photos, Lamborghini spoon-fed car lovers with appetizers of eye candy leaving us admittedly starving for what delectable creation awaited our motoring palette. Would the car be a by-the-numbers rethink for a Murcielago replacement or would be see a new paradigm in supercar development. At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the Italian-based supercar producer released the main course, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento concept car.
Sesto Elemento (translated into English meaning Sixth Element) advertises the property Lamborghini has based the entire design of this new concept supercar. The element carbon plays an important part in the identity of this new Italian super lightweight design theme. Notedly the main compound in carbon fiber reinforced polymers (defined popularly simply as carbon fiber), the sixth element is used to construct main aspects of this Lamborghini in a truly innovative fashion for phenomenal results. Assembling into a vehicle weighing just 2,202 pounds, this Italian design exercise combines with unmistakably pure high-performance supercar passion.
Built on a carbon fiber monocoque, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento concept employs a manufacturing technique creating a forged composite. Produced through a single process, Forged Composite technology is being touted for the first time by Lamborghini in an automotive application. By forging the monocoque, the Sesto Elemento achieves a consistent structural integrity that exceeds strength of presently accepted carbon fiber manufacturing methods. For the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, this foundation provides excellent rigidity for handling and crash protection.
The use of carbon fiber materials carries to the aesthetically relevant areas of the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento. Collecting into a style rich with Lamborghini DNA, the Sesto Elemento takes on stealth fighter-like integrating a multitude of polygons into the supercar’s structure. Triangular-shaped air openings, one-piece engine cover featuring ten holes and a center air deflector provide style, weight reduction along with aerodynamic stability. This mid-engined Lamborghini design is optimized for efficiency with air intakes, oil cooler placement and even Pyrosic ceramic-carbon tailpipes greatly reinforces the performance attitude. Riding on a suspension assembly utilizing a cross between carbon fiber and aluminum on the Sesto Elemento, Lamborghini has even engineered the five-spoke wheels to be produced through carbon fiber.
Painted with matte black clear coat, the Sesto Elemento body is given a special exterior treatment courtesy of nano-technology. After applying a patented coating over the carbon fiber body panels, a red shine saturates the surfaces of this super lightweight Lamborghini.
Speaking about playing the part of a high-performance car, Lamborghini opted to provide a relatively well-known powertrain to drive the exotic Sesto Elemento shape. Fitted longitudinally behind the passenger cabin, the company’s ten-cylinder, 5.2 liter powerplant produces the same 570 horsepower found in the Gallardo LP-570-4 Superleggera and most recent the Blancpain Edition. Sending power through an e.gear transmission as well as a permanently operating all-wheel drive, this concept version of Lamborghini’s future succeeds in painting a comparison to their current vehicles.
Possessing an overall weight less than a Toyota Yaris, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento concept use of the 570 horsepower V-10 engine establishes an astonishing weight-to-power ratio of 1.75 kilograms (3.86 pounds) per horsepower. With little resistance, the all-wheel drive system of the Sesto Elemento is estimated to launch from 0 to 62 miles per hour in a lightning fast 2.5 seconds. So fast in acceleration, this concept Lamborghini rushes 0.3 seconds faster than a Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce despite running a 100 horsepower down on the brand’s flagship. Benefiting with better performance efficiency, the ultralight shell of the Sesto Elemento is also promoted as supplying better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.
A typical two-seat interior configuration for Lamborghini, the Sesto Elemento charts itself as a purely-geared high-speed machine. Finding the interior entirely racer-like functional, this concept car is not featuring any new infotainment technology. Observed as additional weight, electronic conveniences have all been stricken from the design of what Lamborghini calls “the minimalist approach”. Three buttons for the ignition, lights and reverse gear selector are presented on the center console. Though minimalist, the driver and passenger will find comfort in the hi-tech fabric seats. For the driver holding the ergonomically-correct steering wheel of the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, the few distractions inside will place devotion to the quick-passing scenery outside.
For where this concept fits into the upcoming planning of the Italian supercar builder, Automobili Lamborghini’s President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann comments “The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento shows how the future of the super sports car can look – extreme lightweight engineering, combined with extreme performance results in extreme driving fun.”
Information and photo source: Automobili Lamborghini