Lamborghini Revuelto: Our Exclusive Test Drive Experience

Bets are that you can’t find a vehicle that turns more heads than the Lamborghini Revuelto. One that draws more approving thumbs-ups, creates more astonished grins, or pulls more phones from pockets for impromptu photographs and video—especially in stunning Verde Ermes metallic paint. The Lamborghini Revuelto is a hyper-exotic sports car with jaw-dropping styling, a ferocious V12-powered gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, and performance that humiliates nearly every other vehicle on the road. This Italian flagship boasts a superhero's presence—it's intimidating and exclusive—and I just spent an exhilarating week with one. Lamborghini introduced the Revuelto at the company's headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognese in 2023. Like its predecessor, the Aventador, the all-new coupe boasted a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12. But there was something more stirring and much more technically sophisticated—an advanced gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. Buried beneath the composite bodywork were three electric motors. Two were tasked with driving the front wheels, while a third was sandwiched between the V12 and the new 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DCT). Combined, the total output was now an eye-opening 1,001 hp and 783 lb-ft of torque—about five times the power of most passenger vehicles on the road nowadays. Fast forward to today. I'm in Los Angeles, and it's raining cats and dogs—not ideal weather for testing a Lamborghini hybrid supercar named after a rebellious bull. Thankfully, the Revuelto is all-wheel drive and equipped with four sophisticated drive modes (Città, Strada, Sport, and Corsa) and three hybrid modes (Recharge, Hybrid, and Performance). Most may be mixed and matched, effectively transforming the power output, driving dynamics, and personality of the Lamborghini from docile to antagonistic, or in automotive terms, from rain to racetrack. Upward-opening scissor doors stop passers-by while effectively easing ingress and egress to the cockpit. The driving position is low, the seats are firm, yet there is a surprising amount of room—the two-place passenger cabin is cozy, but never catastrophic, thanks to the expansive dashboard and generous shoulder space. (My six-foot two-inch frame fits well, which is a rarity in an exotic vehicle, even while wearing a bulky rain jacket.) The cabin deliberately mimics the cockpit of a fighter jet—purposeful and psychologically exhilarating. A glance around the leather- and carbon-fiber-lined compartment reveals Lamborghini's signature geometric lines and trapezoids everywhere. The driver (er… pilot?) faces a pair of multifunction displays, the Human Machine Interface (HMI) system, and there's a third flat screen positioned for the passenger—much of the data and images are projected as 3D graphics and animations. The flat-bottom steering wheel is chock-full of buttons, knobs, and switches (front and rear) controlling everything from the blinkers and wipers to the engine and hybrid drive modes. The large column-mounted gear-shift paddles are effortless to reach with the fingertips. Flip up the red safety cover and press the START button to initiate the ignition sequence and… silence. The state-of-the-art Revuelto starts cold in EV mode. Deliberately. First, most people will want to roll out of their driveway without waking the neighborhood. Second, it's part of an automated process designed to quickly bring the V12 engine to optimal temperature for performance and emissions—electric power runs essential components like oil-circulating pumps while the engine runs at low RPM to heat its mechanicals. Leave the Revuelto in Città (electric) mode, and those in proximity will hear a friendly pedestrian warning tone and not much else. From the driver's seat, the next 5-10 minutes are relatively quiet as the Lamborghini zips around town, merges into traffic, and cruises down the highway as quickly as an ordinary sports car. Traction and grip are excellent, despite rain and weather, thanks to on-demand all-wheel drive and stability control (note that massive wipers do a great job cleaning the expansive glass). After about five miles of combustion-free driving, the 3.8 kWh lithium-ion battery is depleted, and the V12 joins the propulsion party. For the record, EV mode isn't boring—a silent Lamborghini is still a thrill to drive—but it's like having a sundae without the whipped cream and cherry. Something is missing. Select Strada mode and the V12 comes to life with a thunderous roar—there are those sweet toppings! The Revuelto behaves well, mixing its hybrid powertrain (balancing engine and electric motors) for propulsion with comfort-oriented suspension damping. Strada is a great mode for those who want to spend a lot of time effortlessly behind the wheel—I sat in traffic in this mode for nearly 2 hours. If the hyper-exotic still feels too soft, spin the dial to Sport mode for a bit quicker throttle response and livelier powertrain—it is my preferred mode for touring. Those seeking the no-holds-barred version of the Revuelto need only to choose Corsa mode. Dampers stiffen, throttle response quickens, and the DCT shifts mercilessly. Of course, Corsa releases the full fury of the hybrid powerplant—occupants are molded into the seats as the V12 combustion engine wails to its stratospheric 9,500-rpm redline supplemented by all three electric motors. Launch control is an absolute hoot as the benchmark 0-60 mph sprint takes a mere 2.2 seconds (it's a rush comparable to being catapulted off an aircraft carrier—keep the wheels pointed straight and hang on). No matter the speed, acceleration comes effortlessly. Whether merging into traffic, dodging a gravel truck, or overtaking in a passing zone, a light touch of the accelerator sends the Lamborghini surging forward. No delay. No lag. Just power. Kudos to the bespoke Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires (265/35 ZRF20 on the front axle and 345/30 ZRF21 on the rear axle) for taking the abuse—it's impressive how well they put the power down. The hybrid modes aren't switched as often as the driving modes. For the most part, leave it in the Hybrid setting, and the engine and electric motors blend for efficiency, while the battery recharges via brake regeneration. Use Performance mode for the track, and save the Recharge setting for when you need to run silently at your destination (the V12 recharges the battery en route). You must take the Lamborghini Revuelto to a proper racing circuit to allow the rebellious bull to stretch its legs fully, but that doesn't mean it won't dance in your local canyons. The sun came out, and the asphalt (mostly) dried up one afternoon, so I was able to take a drive in the Santa Monica Mountains. Configured in Corsa/Performance (aka track mode), the engine is immediately responsive. The DCT shifts instantaneously, and 6.5 liters of cylinder volume deliver welcomed engine compression when setting up for a corner—thunderous concussions accompany each downshift. The steering is quick and accurate, allowing the driver to keep the wide Revuelto smoothly between the lane stripes. The all-wheel drive does a phenomenal job distributing power (although kicking the tail out is effortless). The harder you push, the more it begs for more, whether seeking additional acceleration, cornering grip, or braking capability. It's an absolute hoot. And hearing the enraged wail of the Lamborghini V12 at 9,500 rpm should be a mandatory bucket list "things to do before you die" experience—it's life-altering. Incorporating hybrid technology into a supercar can take many directions—sometimes even at the cost of driving excitement. Rather than diluting its flagship model, Lamborghini’s engineers used hybridization to their advantage, making the Revuelto quicker, sharper, and more engaging than ever. The result is a hyper-exotic coupe that’s not only more dynamic and thrilling to drive, but also more practical day to day—precisely as a Lamborghini flagship should be. I’m going to miss her.