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Lamborghini Fenomeno: Brand's fastest and most powerful V12 ever

[All images courtesy of Lamborghini]

 

 

Lamborghini's new Fenomeno (phenomenal) is an incredibly limited, 1,065-hp supercar that pushes hard on the current limits of power and design. It's chock full of technologies typically found in race cars and boasts a 0- to 62-mph time of 2.4 sec.

The Fenomeno is more than just a Revuelto on steroids. It boasts a mid-mounted, naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine as part of its hybrid powertrain, which includes three electric motors. A record 824 hp at 9,250 rpm is provided by the V12, while the electric motors add 241 hp. The max torque is 725 Nm at 6,750 rpm, with 80% of the torque already available at 3,500 rpm. The driver can fully exploit all this power thanks to technical solutions incorporated for the first time on a Lamborghini, such as a 6D sensor and CCM-R Plus carbon-ceramic brakes.

The drive to the four wheels is provided by the internal combustion engine that delivers traction to the rear wheels, and by the pair of electric motors installed on the front axle, while the third radial flux electric motor positioned above the gearbox provides torque to the rear depending on the selected driving mode. The two front e-motors are oil-cooled axial flow models and offer an exceptional weight-to-power ratio: 110 kW for each unit, which weigh just 18.5 kg each. As well as driving the front wheels, they also provide a torque-vectoring function to optimize the driving dynamics, as well as providing the regenerative braking function.

The Fenomeno adopts an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox installed transversely behind the longitudinal V12, leaving space under the tunnel for the lithium-ion battery that powers the electric motors. This layout allows the final weight to be kept low, as well as making the footprint more compact. The Fenomeno can operate as a full EV, depending on the selected driving mode.

The powertrain is housed in the monofuselage, Lamborghini's innovative aeronautics-inspired chassis, which, as well as a monocoque made entirely of multi-technology carbon fiber, has a front structure in Forged Composite, a special material made of short carbon fiber soaked in resin. This material has been produced and used by Lamborghini since the 2007 debut of the Reventon, the forerunner of all few-off Lambos and a trailblazer thanks to its futuristic bodywork made entirely of carbon fiber.

The CCM-R Plus brake system with carbon-ceramic discs guarantees maximum efficiency on both road and track. The single-nut forged rims contribute to delivering exceptional agility, while the special track-oriented tires , custom-engineered by Bridgestone, offer outstanding grip. Completing the Fenomeno is a sport-tuned suspension, making the Fenomeno extremely precise and stable during sports driving. Max speed is over 218 mph. The weight-to-power ratio is also the best in Lamborghini's history: 1.64 kg/CV.

The design of the Fenomeno is an unexpected, hyper-elegant theme in a longtail-proportioned super sports model. It features iconic and infinitely recognizable design DNA, but also looks new and different. At the heart of its Italian soul is the single center line silhouette, the extreme architecture of the main cabin, and the futuristic appearance from all views.

The front wears a bold look that combines a taut, streamlined shape with large, athletic surfaces. The front hood incorporates two large air intakes inspired by racing Lamborghinis such as the Huracan GT3, while the original light signature of the DRLs pays homage to the horns of the Lamborghini logo's bull. The new Automobili Lamborghini logo, unveiled in 2024, makes its debut on this super sports car, enhancing the front that combines recognizable stylistic elements of Lamborghini design such as the Y shape that visually brings together the front splitter in carbon fiber, and also the sharp design of the light clusters.

The appendages that frame the front splitter create two air curtains that direct the air flows parallel to the wheels, reducing drag and at the same time increasing the mass flux to the radiators. The S-Duct system installed on the front of the vehicle increases the front aerodynamic load, helping ensure perfect vehicle dynamics during sports driving and directing the air toward the center of the roof via the slots on the hood. Thanks to the concave profile of the roof, the flow is concentrated both through the airscoop on the engine hood to optimize component cooling, and on the mobile rear wing where its special "omega" design maximizes vehicle stability at high speeds.

The side view reinterprets the typical Lamborghini silhouette, with a single line defining the vehicle profile from the tip of the front hood to the rear, inspired by the long tail of the Essenza SCV12. The color choices of the launch livery (in yellow Giallo Crius) bring out the muscularity of the upper volumes, elegantly contrasting with the stylistic and aerodynamic technical aspects of the lower section, where the racing-derived carbon fiber fins play an important aerodynamic role as well as framing the wheel arches.

The new door design also incorporates a key aerodynamic role, directing flow toward the large air intakes on the sides. This ensures cooling for components in the engine compartment and correct operation of the radiator elements but also brings a new stylistic interpretation of the NACA duct, which has contributed to making the design of Lamborghinis unique ever since the first Countach. The result is over 30% more efficient side cooling compared to a series production Lamborghini V12.

Seen from behind, the Fenomeno is unprecedented in the history of Lamborghini design: a continuous line connects the wing and wheel arch, clearly delimiting the boundary between the vehicle body and the rear. Here, the futuristic light signature, a vertical reinterpretation of the iconic Y, connects the carbon fiber elements of the diffuser with the emphasized hexagonal lines of the exhaust terminal.

The brake disks are manufactured in a 3D structure with long carbon fibers incorporated in a carbon matrix and coated with a treatment developed specifically for this car. This allows for extreme performance in any condition, with unprecedented consistency and response stability. The system is further enhanced by the meticulous design of the car's entire aerothermal concept, maximizing airflow to both discs and calipers for optimal cooling efficiency.

To deliver perfect driving dynamics and ensure the vehicle is as fun to drive as possible, Fenomeno adopts racing shocks that can be manually calibrated to allow the perfect stance and setup to be achieved for the track and type of use. They also offer optimum damping performance that keeps body movement in check, as well as greater travel ratio between wheel and shock to ensure the shock absorber is working as precisely as possible. The result is suspension kinematics that allow the shocks to work at their best and to offer extraordinary sports driving behavior.

At the heart of Fenomeno's integrated control system is the 6D sensor coupled with innovative vehicle dynamic control logics, introduced on a Lamborghini for the first time. The 6D sensor is installed strategically close to the vehicle's center of gravity and is directly connected to the IPB (Integrated Power Brake) control unit. Its function is to provide measurements of the acceleration on all three axes (lateral, longitudinal, and vertical) in real time, as well as the angular velocity also for all three axes (pitch, roll, and yaw). This information allows for a highly precise estimation of the vehicle's speed, the side-slip angle, and the instantaneous coefficient of friction between tires and road surface.

Inside, the passenger compartment reflects the hyper-design concept, presenting a new interpretation of Lamborghini's "Feel like a pilot" philosophy. The driving position and race steering wheel offer an incredibly engaging driving experience, while the three digital screens not only meet requirements for stylistic minimalism but have also allowed for most of the physical buttons to be eliminated. With this design, the driver can concentrate fully on the road or track, just like in a race car.

The Fenomeno takes Lamborghini's R&D prowess in ultra-light materials to extremes: carbon fiber is the main player in the passenger compartment, starting out with the center console equipped with sport pad, and continuing with the door panels and bucket sports seats. The latter were designed specifically for the Fenomeno, as were the air vents in the carbon fiber instrument cluster made using 3D-printing technology. The ambient lighting system emphasizes the spaceship-like forms of the passenger compartment, making the on-board experience even more special. Of course, almost everything can be customized if you are willing to pay for it.

Only 29 units will be made at a price of $3.5 million. Whew! It better be really really special. That's quite an upgrade from a Lambo Revuelto, which starts just north of $600,000.

Source: Lamborghini

Published December 2025

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