Italian Plug-In Hybrid Supercars: Lamborghini Revuelto vs. Ferrari SF90 Stradale
Supercars are typically considered vehicles that deliver the pinnacle of performance, technology, and sometimes luxury. As automakers migrate into electric-only territory, it’s taken legacy supercar brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini longer than mainstream manufacturers to start incorporating electrification into their lineups, but since they have started doing this, it has allowed their vehicles to achieve new levels of performance.
Ferrari’s SF90 Stradale and Lamborghini’s Revuelto are the first production plug-in hybrid models from these two historic Italian supercar makers, and they sport some pretty impressive performance figures. We take a closer look at the SF90 and Revuelto in a head-to-head, high-performance electrified vehicle comparison.
An Italian Rivalry
Ferrari and Lamborghini have histories that are uniquely intertwined, since the latter was a former tractor manufacturer that started making supercars because its owner was not pleased with his Ferrari. The Prancing Horse is lauded for its prestigious racing roots, which are still present even in the company’s most modern offerings. Others are passionately partial to the brute power and ultra-luxury of Lamborghini, whose in-your-face lineup of cars appeals to those who want to be noticed.
While they may have different approaches to building cars, Ferrari and Lamborghini actually have several things in common. Both are headquartered in Northern Italy, both are known for their large engines, usually V8s, V10s, or V12s, and both want to keep using them in the foreseeable future. But wait, is there even room for large-displacement internal combustion engines in an electrified future? Yes, there is, and these two manufacturers are determined to keep these engines alive.
Plug-in Hybrid Powertrains
Ferrari introduced the SF90 Stradale for the 2021 model year as a successor to the LaFerrari, which featured a hybridized V12. The SF90 Stradale is the first Ferrari flagship since the F40 to not use a V12 engine. Instead, the SF90 Stradale combines a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged, mid-mounted V8 with three electric motors and a high-voltage battery. Two of the electric motors are mounted in the front, while a third is located in the rear between the engine and the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Lamborghini unveiled the Revueltoin April 2023, and with it, the manufacturer showed an updated version of its 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 in the engine bay. The Revuelto also uses three electric motors and a battery to support the V12 engine. Similar to the SF90 Stradale, the Revuelto has two electric motors in the front and integrates the third into the car’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission in the rear.
Which Is Quicker?
Ferrari’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo engine alone cranks out 769 horsepower. The electric motors add over 200 more horsepower, for a combined output of 986 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque.
The Revuelto’s naturally aspirated V12 engine on its own throws down 820 horsepower and 535 lb-ft of torque. Adding the electric motors pushes the combined power output for the Revuelto up to a whopping 1,001 horsepower and 793 lb-ft of torque.
Both vehicles have been reported to achieve zero to 60 times in or under 2.5 seconds. The top speed for the Ferrari caps at 211 mph, while the Lamborghini can go up to 217 mph.
Keep in mind that the curb weight of the SF90 Stradale is several hundred pounds lower than that of the Lamborghini Revuelto (3,461 lbs compared to 3,906 lbs).
Which Has Better Electric Range?
Even though they are plug-in hybrids, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Lamborghini Revuelto are hardly eco-friendly. Unfortunately, neither vehicle made ourtop long-range plug-in hybrids list; they are actually amongthe PHEVs with the least range. Both manufacturers use electrification to boost performance, not miles per gallon, but one does offer a better electric-only range than the other.
The Ferrari SF90 Stradale’s 7.9 kWh battery pack is good for 15.5 miles of all-electric driving. Due to a smaller 3.8 kWh battery, the Lamborghini Revuelto is only rated to go approximately six miles in electric-only mode. Neither figure is especially impressive; however, it is enough for short commutes around town or to sneak out of a suburb quietly so that you don’t wake up your neighbors in the morning.
Ferrari and Lamborghini PHEVs Are a Glimpse Into the Future of Supercars
Whether you’re on team Ferrari or team Lamborghini, there’s no denying that some of the most legendary and powerful cars to date have come from production plants in Italy. Even as the all-electric future looms, neither automaker is ready to say ciao to their beloved exhaust notes just yet.
Where Ferrari went for a twin-turbo V8 in its SF90 Stradale flagship plug-in hybrid, Lamborghini has stayed true to its roots with an atmospheric V12. The SF90 Stradale is lighter, with a smaller engine and a bigger battery. The Revuelto is heavier with a bigger engine and smaller battery, so it won’t be as nimble on a twisty road while also offering less electric range. It does win some points back since its top speed is higher than the Ferrari’s.
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