Here’s the surprising thing about the Lamborghini Revuelto: in addition to being one of the most powerful cars on the road, the thrill of its roaring V12 engine, being a two passenger race car and all that entails, it’s a lovely car to drive. It’s comfortable, it’s not always loud and there’s a great place to put your handbag (or, backpack or murse).
Make no mistake; it’s also thrilling. That’s due to the plug-in hybrid power that increases the total power to 1,015 HP. We took a ride through the Catskill Mountains north of New York City to find out just how fun. Here’s what we learned, and why this $600,000+ super car should be on your list of things to experience in your lifetime.
There’s a bit to learn, but the Lamborghini Revuelto is far more intuitive and less intimidating than you might think once you figure it out. It starts with the lure of the glowing red starter cover that is sort of like launching a rocket: lift the cover and press the start button. Next to the starter is the yoke for reverse; wrap your fingers around it and pull it back. You’ll also find buttons for neutral and park on the command center.
What you won’t see is a “Drive” button. That’s because, true to Lamborghini style, you need to pull the right paddle behind the steering wheel to put the car into drive.
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There are 26 buttons on the Lamborghini Revuelto’s steering wheel: You’ll not only find drive modes and EV modes, but it also holds the turn signals, windshield wipers and high beam headlight controls. There is a button to raise or lower the front end—this is a very low-riding car— for sharp speed bumps or angling into a steep driveway. There are even buttons on the back of the steering wheel. The panel on the left side allows you to customize the driver display. The buttons on the right control the sound system.
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All those buttons may seem overwhelming, but really, they’re not. They are smart. I quickly adapted and soon started to wonder why all steering wheels aren’t built like this? But I had to wonder, would the power be intimidating? Would the 1,015 HP V12 engine be too anxious to be fun until I was able to get out onto a worthy stretch of road.
The answer is: No. The Revuelto was lovely on quiet local roads and creeping around the resort property were our drive started. Once out on the road I dialed into sport mode and while the engine was louder, it wasn’t so loud I couldn’t carry on a conversation with Jana in the passenger seat. And the car’s suspension and steering perfectly handle the power. Commanding its power had a surprising amount of comfort and lots of confidence.
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Because this is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle it starts up silently, one of the most surprising things about this car. Normally, when you lift the starter cover and push the button the engine roars to life. In the Revuelto you can choose when to ignite the 12V engine but shifting from Citta (city mode) into Strada (street mode). It’s really nice that you can chose when to let the Raging Bull roar.
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For Jana, my co-driver, this was her first time behind the wheel of a Lamborghini. She admitted she was a bit nervous. To ensure all the drivers knew how to properly captain the Revuelto, Lamborghini brought along a pro driver who walked all of us through the process and explained all the buttons on the steering wheel. Even with the coaching, Jana sill ad a bit of a flutter in her stomach. This is a $600,000 car after all. But it didn’t show. She fired up the Reveulto, pulled the paddle and we were off. She kept pace with the group and leaned into the drive. And she mastered it. By the end of the drive she was all smiles and no fear.
The Lamborghini Revuelto’s electric motors—there are 3—has a 4 mile electric range, enough to get you quietly out of your neighborhood but not enough to run all your errands on battery power. Driving on electricity is not the point; it’s there to boost the V12.
Generating all that power can also recharge the battery. We drove about 80 miles and in most PHEVs we would have had zero charge on the battery within a few minutes. In the Revuelto we had a mostly charged battery all day. The system takes what it needs when it needs it and replenishes that charge constantly.
Considering this, it makes sense that the charge outlet is not on the exterior of the car, but rather, tucked into the frunk. It’s there if you need it, but most likely, you won’t.
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A first time feature for Lamborghini is a passenger side screen. But rather than allowing the passenger to stream Netflix or change the radio station, this screen is all about co-piloting. The passenger can access data like driver assist systems, battery charge level, the current drive mode and more. So, she can look at the road ahead and give the driver a true co-pilot’s read on ideal drive mode, adjust driver assist input and more. And a cool function is that the co-pilot screen can be customized; pull up the vehicle function screen on the main multimedia system and then slide the function toward the passenger and it pops up on the screen.
I really loved this feature; it allowed me to be engaged in the drive in a way that I’ve never been when riding along in a super car.
You would be forgiven for not instantly knowing this car is a Revuelto by looking at it. It carries the same low sculpted look of Lamborghini sports cars; the sharp front end, butterfly doors, rear spoiler and horizontal Y lights are tell-tale. But look closely and you’ll see the distinct rear wing, the exhaust tips just under the rear spoiler, an open rear engine compartment and diminutive Revuelto badging on its sides.
The interior of the Revuelto is evolved as well with more luxury and a larger center screen, a simplified command center and fewer toggle controls. The bucketed seats—choose from comfort or sport—are clad in leather with the color of your choice. Our model had a fully stitched leather ceiling headliner and leather surfaces everywhere you look. Overall, it feels familiar and luxurious.
Supercars are famous for not having anyplace to put things — a handbag or a gallon of milk. But I really loved that Lamborghini solved this in the Revuelto: There’s a shelf behind the seats that’s perfect for stowing a handbag or backpack. I tucked my bag, jacket and a few other things there for our drive and for the most part, they were just fine, though my bag did slide around on some tight, fast curves.
There is also a nicely sized frunk that Lamborghini says will hold two roll aboard bags. And, there’s a phone charge pad under the center console that is large enough to hold a clutch purse.
The rear shelf and the under console shelf are not just convenient, they add grace to the cabin; neither Jana nor I had to ride with the other’s handbag under our feet. We could stretch out and really enjoy the ride without feeling cramped.
The sharply sculpted rear end of the Lamborghini holds a secret: At speeds of 50 MPH or more a rear wing deploys for added rear end downforce.
But if you’d like to extend it to show your friends or impress onlookers, you can tap a button the steering wheel to deploy what Lamborghini calls “bar mode.” As you cruise Ocean Drive, of course in Sport mode, which is necessary for this to work, and pass all the bars, you can pop up the wing for added impact.
The Name Revuelto Isn’t Actually Italian; It’s Spanish for “Mess”
By mess, Lamborghini refers to the mixture of gas and electricity, three motors, the V12 engine and the innovation it took to create this spectacular feat of engineering. And it sounds great to say “Lamborghini Revuelto.
Why this “Mess” Should Be On Your Bucket List… To Drive or Own
With a starting price of $604,000 and options that can add up to more than $140,000, the Lamborghini Revuelto is a bucket list car. Of course, its designed for the track, but its also meant for touring. There’s room for luggage and handbags, the cabin is comfortable and it’s relatively easy to drive; I found its suspension to be comfortable in Strada mode and less exhausting than driving other Lamborghini coupes I’ve driven,.
It was a welcome feeling to have performance when you want and comfort when you don’t. And the thrill of a hybrid power-boosted V12 engine in an iconically designed super car with butterfly doors. Driving the Lamborghini Revuelto is the experience of a lifetime, even if you only get to do it once.
