Lamborghini
Sesto Elemento Concept
What,
then, is the Sesto Elemento? Let's have a look at the exterior first. Despite
the mid-engine layout, this concept seems compact, with a very short rear
overhang. Wedgy shapes are typical for Lamborghini, but this car is even more
extreme than the super-angular Reventón, the ultra-low-volume Murciélago
spinoff from a few years ago. A plethora of spoilers, air vents, and triangular
elements protrude from or perforate its body. There is a racing-type
quick-refueling system. The rear end is open, to give spectators a clear view
of the transmission and the exhaust system, the latter of which, remarkably,
exits through the engine cover above the taillights.
The
front end and roof are marked by sharp, seemingly folded creases, and the rear
part of the roof is graced by two intake ducts and two parallel lines of five
holes arranged above the cylinder banks. Below the ten openings sits,
obviously, a V-10. The hexagonal shape of these elements is a nod to an
obsession of former Bertone designer Marcello Gandini, who penned the Miura and
Countach.
Despite
an overt familiarity to its shape, the Sesto Elemento is nevertheless detached
from the brand's current styling language. The wild details turn it into
something you’d expect only in a video game, or in some crazy tuner's showroom,
but not quite from Lamborghini, not after the brand has been working hard to
overcome the styling clichés of its past. In fact, we hear there was a considerable
amount of discussion within Lamborghini and at parent Audi about showing such
an extreme concept car.
One
of the most striking features of the Sesto Elemento is that its entire body is
constructed from visible, matte-finish carbon fiber (the so-called "sixth
element” indicated by translating the concept’s name from Italian), as
expensive a material as it is light. In fact, the curb weight of the entire car
is claimed to be a mere 2200 pounds. That's 1100 fewer than our estimated curb
weight for the supposedly “superlight” Gallardo Superleggera.
Combine
the low weight with the V-10’s 570 hp at 8000 rpm, torque stands at 398 lb-ft
at 6500 rpm and performance should be explosive; Lamborghini says the car is
capable of reaching 62 mph in 2.5 seconds. Top speed only mentioned, says
Lambo, "in the interests of completeness,” as top speed has been
downgraded to the fourth-highest priority for its products is said to be “well
over 185 mph.” We suspect this modesty belies a terminal velocity north of 200
mph.
The
use of carbon fiber extends beyond exterior panels: The passenger-holding
monocoque, front subframe, crumple zones, and wheels are made of the material
as well. The rear subframe, by contrast, is made of aluminum. Most anything
else has simply been omitted. There is no dashtop, the underlying structure
itself is laid bare and the seat cushions are glued to the monocoque. One
element we wish had been included is a clutch pedal. The Sesto Elemento is
equipped with the e-gear six-speed automated manual transmission; power runs
through it to Lambo’s all-wheel-drive system.
If
the sinister design won’t redefine Lamborghini styling, the Sesto Elemento is
nevertheless significant as a rolling testament to the brand’s commitment to
carbon fiber; all future Lambos will make extensive use of the stuff. AWD
systems and heavy, ten and twelve cylinder engines take their toll on curb
weights, and eliminating hundreds of pounds through the use of carbon fiber
will give Lamborghini a potent weapon in the fight to create the most extreme
supercars.
