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As fuel economy regulations become more stringent as a means of controlling CO2, manufacturers will increasingly rely on carbon fiber as a way to reduce weight and boost efficiency. That’s precisely the point of the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, the Paris concept car that the Italian automaker served up not so much as a definitive model in the pipeline, but rather as its roadmap to future product development in general.
The styling is pure Lamborghini—extreme and infused with the kind of edginess that recalls the legendary Countach and the more recent Reventón. The vehicle is short, angular and has some very interesting features including the shape of the engine cover vents. Also the crisscrossing character lines on the side add additional tension to the look. But there is far more to this show car than its exterior design. It is made primarily of carbon fiber—hence the name Sesto Elemento, which represents carbon’s sixth spot on the periodic table of elements. Not only are the tub and body panels made of the high-tech material, but also critical load-bearing components such as certain suspension components and wheels.
Even the interior has been pared to the bone—conventional seat frames have been eliminated in favor of seating structures formed into the tub with cushions upholstered in high-tech fabrics and attached directly to the monocoque. While the seats are fixed, the steering wheel and pedals are adjustable to provide an optimum driving position. The interior also dispenses with traditional accents and materials in favor of exposed carbon fiber. In addition, the instruments are minimalist in keeping with the lightweight theme of the car, providing information primarily on engine revs, temps and vehicle speed.
Mounted behind the driver is a 5.2-liter V-10 engine, which, like the Gallardo Superleggera’s, pumps out 570 bhp delivered to all four wheels. Weighing just under 2200 lb. (999 kg), the Sesto Elemento has a power-to-weight ratio of 1 bhp per 3.85 lb. and according to the factory, is capable of 0–60 mph acceleration of just 2.5 seconds. Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini’s president and CEO, said the Sesto Elemento was built with a 10-cylinder engine instead of a range-topping V-12 to make a point—that absolute horsepower will no longer be the measure of performance in Sant’Agata. “We are no longer designing for top speed,” Winkelmann asserts. “It is now about acceleration. The power-to-weight ratio is the new measure. Extreme lightweight engineering combined with extreme performance results in extreme driving fun.”
Winkelmann sees lightweight materials such as carbon fiber as the lifeblood for exotic car makers like Lamborghini. Rather than pursue hybrid technologies to boost fuel economy—their complex powertrains being heavier than a single powerplant—Lamborghini is placing a large bet on reducing weight, sacrificing some horsepower while at the same time increasing the overall performance and fun factor of its lineup. So intense is Lamborghini’s commitment to the use of carbon fiber, that it has entered into strategic research and development agreements with both the University of Washington and Boeing, with an eye to develop stronger and lower cost carbon fiber, which will allow greater use of the material in vehicle construction.
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento World Premiere ? New Lambo Concept Unveiled at the Paris Auto Show ? RoadandTrack.com
Sam
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
Road and Track said:![Image]()
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As fuel economy regulations become more stringent as a means of controlling CO2, manufacturers will increasingly rely on carbon fiber as a way to reduce weight and boost efficiency. That’s precisely the point of the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, the Paris concept car that the Italian automaker served up not so much as a definitive model in the pipeline, but rather as its roadmap to future product development in general.
The styling is pure Lamborghini—extreme and infused with the kind of edginess that recalls the legendary Countach and the more recent Reventón. The vehicle is short, angular and has some very interesting features including the shape of the engine cover vents. Also the crisscrossing character lines on the side add additional tension to the look. But there is far more to this show car than its exterior design. It is made primarily of carbon fiber—hence the name Sesto Elemento, which represents carbon’s sixth spot on the periodic table of elements. Not only are the tub and body panels made of the high-tech material, but also critical load-bearing components such as certain suspension components and wheels.
Even the interior has been pared to the bone—conventional seat frames have been eliminated in favor of seating structures formed into the tub with cushions upholstered in high-tech fabrics and attached directly to the monocoque. While the seats are fixed, the steering wheel and pedals are adjustable to provide an optimum driving position. The interior also dispenses with traditional accents and materials in favor of exposed carbon fiber. In addition, the instruments are minimalist in keeping with the lightweight theme of the car, providing information primarily on engine revs, temps and vehicle speed.
Mounted behind the driver is a 5.2-liter V-10 engine, which, like the Gallardo Superleggera’s, pumps out 570 bhp delivered to all four wheels. Weighing just under 2200 lb. (999 kg), the Sesto Elemento has a power-to-weight ratio of 1 bhp per 3.85 lb. and according to the factory, is capable of 0–60 mph acceleration of just 2.5 seconds. Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini’s president and CEO, said the Sesto Elemento was built with a 10-cylinder engine instead of a range-topping V-12 to make a point—that absolute horsepower will no longer be the measure of performance in Sant’Agata. “We are no longer designing for top speed,” Winkelmann asserts. “It is now about acceleration. The power-to-weight ratio is the new measure. Extreme lightweight engineering combined with extreme performance results in extreme driving fun.”
Winkelmann sees lightweight materials such as carbon fiber as the lifeblood for exotic car makers like Lamborghini. Rather than pursue hybrid technologies to boost fuel economy—their complex powertrains being heavier than a single powerplant—Lamborghini is placing a large bet on reducing weight, sacrificing some horsepower while at the same time increasing the overall performance and fun factor of its lineup. So intense is Lamborghini’s commitment to the use of carbon fiber, that it has entered into strategic research and development agreements with both the University of Washington and Boeing, with an eye to develop stronger and lower cost carbon fiber, which will allow greater use of the material in vehicle construction.
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento World Premiere ? New Lambo Concept Unveiled at the Paris Auto Show ? RoadandTrack.com
It looks like Tron meets Lotus Exige. Why did Lamborghini decide this decade that they hated curves and every one of their cars had to be designed to resemble origami? Although holy light weight combined with monstrous power :shock: Even with AWD, how does that thing even maintain traction?
I'm loving this car.
Mounted behind the driver is a 5.2-liter V-10 engine, which, like the Gallardo Superleggera’s, pumps out 570 bhp delivered to all four wheels. Weighing just under 2200 lb. (999 kg), the Sesto Elemento has a power-to-weight ratio of 1 bhp per 3.85 lb. and according to the factory, is capable of 0–60 mph acceleration of just 2.5 seconds. Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini’s president and CEO, said the Sesto Elemento was built with a 10-cylinder engine instead of a range-topping V-12 to make a point—that absolute horsepower will no longer be the measure of performance in Sant’Agata. “We are no longer designing for top speed,” Winkelmann asserts. “It is now about acceleration. The power-to-weight ratio is the new measure. Extreme lightweight engineering combined with extreme performance results in extreme driving fun.”
I've felt this way for quite some time. A lot of cars can go to 160-200+ mph but how fast you can get there is what is impressive.
Mounted behind the driver is a 5.2-liter V-10 engine, which, like the Gallardo Superleggera’s, pumps out 570 bhp delivered to all four wheels. Weighing just under 2200 lb. (999 kg), the Sesto Elemento has a power-to-weight ratio of 1 bhp per 3.85 lb. and according to the factory, is capable of 0–60 mph acceleration of just 2.5 seconds. Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini’s president and CEO, said the Sesto Elemento was built with a 10-cylinder engine instead of a range-topping V-12 to make a point—that absolute horsepower will no longer be the measure of performance in Sant’Agata. “We are no longer designing for top speed,” Winkelmann asserts. “It is now about acceleration. The power-to-weight ratio is the new measure. Extreme lightweight engineering combined with extreme performance results in extreme driving fun.”
I've felt this way for quite some time. A lot of cars can go to 160-200+ mph but how fast you can get there is what is impressive.
I'm a big fan of everything but the rear end. I know it probably provides a lot more function than form, but it looks horrible.
`
I like it. It must have some kind of traction control to make use of all that power. I wonder if the wing is variable geometry.
Autoblog said:Report: Production Lamborghini Sesto Elemento will be for track use only
It sounds like we can forget all about cruising South Beach in the upcoming Lamborghini Sesto Elemento. According to Autocar, The Raging Bull is planning to build the carbon-fiber terror as a limited production model for track duty only. Thanks to its unique construction, the Sesto Elemento should hit the scales at less than 2,200 pounds, all while boasting the same drivetrain as the wicked Superleggera. This promises to be one very fast machine, but chances are it will carry a price tag to match. Autocar is reporting that the newest addition to the Lamborghini stable will likely go for Reventón money. With an MSRP of over $1.6 million, you certainly won't be seeing these parked in every paddock.
That's all the more true given that Autocar suspects that Lamborghini will build less than 20 examples of the Sesto Elemento. Who knew that rare birds were built from forged carbon fiber?
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