Lamborghini needs no introduction. Since the brand’s earliest years, every model to roll out of Sant’Agata Bolognese has made a lasting impression on the automotive world. In 2019, the Italian manufacturer raised the bar yet again with the Sian — its first-ever hybrid production supercar. “Sian” translates from the Bolognese dialect as “lightning strike” or “flash,” and the car lives up to that name in every conceivable way. Read on for a full breakdown of what makes the Lamborghini Sian one of the most extraordinary hypercars ever built.
Meet the Designer Behind the Lamborghini Sian
The chief designer of the Sian is Mitja Borkert, a man with a fascinating story. Originally from East Germany, his father — a Russian language teacher who had spent time in Moscow — named him Mitja. Borkert himself has noted: “It is important for a designer to have a rare, memorable name. In Germany, most people think I am Finnish, because Mitja looks somehow Finnish to the German eye.”
Borkert studied Transport Design at Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences and spent years climbing the ranks at Porsche, eventually reaching the position of Head of Exterior Design. His contributions at Porsche include:
- Second-generation Boxster roadster
- Macan and Cayenne crossovers
- Panamera Sport Turismo
- Mission E concept
He then accepted the role of Chief Designer at Lamborghini, where he has fully embraced the brand’s design philosophy — drawing inspiration from the aerospace industry, jet fighters, and motorsport.
The Sian’s design language is unmistakably Lamborghini — sharp body edges, aggressive air intakes, and a relentless accumulation of aerodynamic elements. At the same time, Borkert has woven in deliberate nods to the brand’s heritage. The large Y-shaped LED headlight elements reference the 2017 Lamborghini Terzo Millennio concept, while the “Periscopio” transparent engine cover pays homage to the iconic Countach.
Inside, the Sian follows the same family design language — Y-shaped lines, hexagonal motifs, trapezoid shapes, and aircraft-style toggle switches. Carbon fibre features extensively throughout, sports seats are upholstered in two-tone leather, and the multimedia screen adopts a fashionable vertical orientation.
The Sian was produced in a strictly limited edition of just 63 units — a figure chosen to honour the year of Lamborghini’s founding. Remarkably, every single unit was sold before the car was even publicly unveiled.
Performance and Specifications: The Most Powerful Lamborghini Ever Made
The Lamborghini Sian made its world debut at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, immediately claiming the title of the most powerful, fastest, and most expensive production car in the company’s history. Here are the headline figures:
- Total system power: 819 hp (785 hp from the V12 + 34 hp from the electric motor)
- Engine: 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12
- 0–100 km/h: 2.8 seconds
- Top speed: 350 km/h
- Base price: $3.6 million USD
- Kerb weight: 1,622 kg (weight distribution 43:57, front to rear)
Standard equipment on the Sian coupe is exceptionally comprehensive. Even in base configuration, the car includes:
- Six airbags
- Full LED optics with triple-block headlights in carbon housings
- ABS, ESP, EBD, and TCS
- 10.1-inch media hub with virtual instrument cluster
- Premium audio system
- 20-inch front / 21-inch rear alloy wheels
- Heated and power-folding mirrors
- Fully independent double-wishbone suspension with a pushrod system, horizontal springs, and magnetorheological shock absorbers
- Carbon-ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear
- Active aerodynamics — cooling blades activated at specific temperatures
The Sian’s monocoque is constructed entirely from carbon fibre, and even the roof is electrochromic. The massive rear spoiler — hidden flush with the body at low speeds — rises into an imposing working position to provide downforce when required.
The Hybrid System: Supercapacitors, Not Batteries
What truly sets the Lamborghini Sian apart from every other hypercar is its groundbreaking hybrid architecture. Unlike conventional hybrid systems that rely on lithium-ion batteries, the Sian uses a supercapacitor — a world first for a production road car.
Here’s what makes this system so significant:
- Direct wheel connection: The electric motor connects directly to the wheels — a first for any hybrid system — allowing it to sustain drive during low-speed manoeuvres.
- Seamless gear changes: The motor is integrated into the transmission and continues to power the wheels during the brief moment when the combustion engine is interrupted during a gear shift. This gives the Sian a measurable advantage of over one second versus the Aventador SVJ when accelerating from 70 to 120 km/h.
- Supercapacitor vs. battery: The supercapacitor is three times lighter than an equivalent battery and offers a significantly higher rate of energy exchange. It is charged via a specially developed regenerative braking system that recovers energy on virtually every hard braking event.
- Minimal weight penalty: The entire hybrid system adds just 34 kg to the car’s total weight.
- Pure electric manoeuvring: The Sian can drive on electric power alone at low speeds — for example, when parking — which prevents unnecessary engine heat buildup and keeps the surroundings quiet.
The supercapacitor is positioned between the cabin and the engine. This technology — comparable to the KERS energy recovery system used in Formula 1 — makes the Sian not only Lamborghini’s first hybrid, but also the first commercially produced car from any major manufacturer to use a supercapacitor in place of a traction battery.
The overall dimensions of the Lamborghini Sian are as follows: length 4,980 mm, wheelbase 2,700 mm, height 1,133 mm, and width 2,101 mm (2,265 mm including mirrors). The interior is strictly two-seat, with bucket seats featuring integrated headrests, sculpted side bolsters, and electric adjustment.
Lamborghini Sian Roadster: An Open-Top Rarity
Following the coupe, Lamborghini unveiled the open-top Sian Roadster — and made it even rarer. Key differences from the base model include:
- Air ducts positioned behind the driver’s and passenger’s seats
- Six hexagonal tail lights (a distinctive visual signature)
- Active dampers designed to extract heat from the engine more efficiently
- Slightly heavier than the coupe, resulting in a 0–100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds (vs. 2.8 s)
- Top speed remains unchanged at 350 km/h
- Production run of just 19 units (versus 63 for the coupe)
- Price: approximately $3.7 million USD per unit
The 63 coupes and 19 roadsters together form the number 1963 — the year Lamborghini was founded. As with the coupe, every Roadster was pre-sold before production began.
Personalisation: The Ad Personam Programme
Every Lamborghini Sian is a unique creation, and the brand’s personalisation programme ensures no two are exactly alike. Customers can choose from:
- Any colour for the exterior carbon fibre elements
- Unlimited combinations of interior materials and colours
- The exclusive “Touch and Feel” leather — a specially developed material offering an exceptionally tactile finish
- 3D-printed central air vent frames (Roadster only), available in custom colours and textures, with the option to add personalised engraved initials
The Lamborghini Sian is a machine that demands full respect — and, of course, the right credentials to drive it. If you plan to take the wheel of a supercar abroad, make sure your documentation is in order. We invite you to quickly and easily obtain an international driver’s licence on our website, so you’re ready the moment opportunity strikes.
Published October 15, 2020 • 6m to read
