New Lamborghini Sián is the most customizable Lambo ever
Does this mean it will make more use of 3D printing for production parts? [Update: yes it does]
Lamborghini is an adopter of 3D printing – that is known. The company has been using the technology for prototyping for several years, although this was never officially confirmed beyond a Lamborghini placed inside the Energy Group (an Italian Stratasys distributor) booth at several AM shows. Lamborghini even went public with a production application using Carbon’s DLS technology for its Urus SUV. The latest Lamborghini model presented ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show (could the location suggest something, with Formnext on the way?), the Lamborghini Sián FKP37, packs all the latest automotive technologies and – for the first time – introduces a number of 3D printed final parts (likely produced with Carbon’s technology like the Urus). That makes sense since it is also the most customizable Lamborghini ever.
The car has been designed to offer the widest possible range of customizations: from the exterior, which can be configured in fully exposed carbon fiber, with custom colors, shaded paintwork and specific liveries; to the interior, with special trim and an infinite number of combinations of colors and materials. An innovative “touch and feel” leather is also available, specially developed for the Sián FKP 37, which is extremely pleasant to the touch. These personalizations are not necessarily tied to on-demand 3D printed parts however they highlight the rapidly growing trend for personalization that is characterizing the automotive segment and where 3D printing can provide significant value. Lamborghini did confirm that there are several 3D printed final parts in the official press release.
Besides the personalization options, the Sián FKP37 is plain gorgeous (the name means thunderbolt in Bolognese dialect), combining features from the past, with sharp lines from the Lamborghini Countach, and from the future, with the all-electric Terzo Millennio inspired headlights). Its iconic V12 engine delivers 785 CV, the highest ever reached by a Lamborghini engine. Added to this is a 48V electric motor coming directly out of the gearbox, for an immediate and better performance during acceleration and gear shifting. And it’s a world first: no other mild-hybrid vehicle has ever had a direct connection between the electric motor and wheels. Finally, with 720 Nm of torque, the perception of acceleration is second to none.
Another new autonomous technology represents a world’s first. At the back of the engine hood are autonomous vent flaps driven by smart materials, which by their nature are temperature sensitive. These flaps open autonomously when the temperature around the exhausts rises too much, without the aid of electric controls and sensors, using only the thermal distortion of the material. With the carbon-fiber monocoque, titanium intake valves, active aerodynamics and rear-wheel steering, Lamborghini continues to drive the state of the art in automotive manufacturing technology, waiting for the Terzo Millennio to hit the road.
This article was updated on September 19th, 2019 to reflect the fact that Lamborghini confirmed the presence of 3D printed final parts in an official press release. The original article indicated that Lamborghini made no direct and official mentions of 3D printed parts.
