2024 Lamborghini Revuelto First Drive: Worthy Of Being A Poster Car On Every Enthusiast’s Wall

About once every decade or so, a few select number of very exclusive automakers rewrite the books of what’s physically and technologically possible, pushing beyond the envelope in the relentless pursuit of speed. It’s a pursuit that’s defined the car world ever since the automobile was invented over a century ago and one that continues to be a major driving force behind automotive innovation as a whole.

Lamborghini is one of those automakers and for as long as they’ve been making cars, they’ve produced some of the greatest, fastest, most exotic, and most fantastical luxury sports cars the world and history has ever seen, nearly all of which have become the dreamy, aspirational poster children for car enthusiasts of all kinds. Many have tried to replicate their unique and flamboyant recipes that only the super rich could afford, but few have even come close, and only a very small number have succeeded. But whenever Lamborghini was one-upped, they always gave it their all to come back out on top and ahead, particularly with its company’s long lineage of V-12-powered flagship exotic sports cars.

It’s the same pedigree that all started with the 350 GT in 1964, which eventually gave birth to some of the most iconic exotic sports cars in history, like the Miura, Countach, Diablo, Murciélago, and the Aventador, the latter of which crested over the age of 10 in 2022. So, that meant, a new successor was due to carry the torch, and that’s exactly what Italy’s famed Raging Bull gave us. It’s called the Revuelto, and it’s the summation of all that Lamborghini has done up to this point, arriving last year to continue Lamborghini’s long bloodline of mid-engine V-12 hypercars. And we recently and very fortunately got a chance to give one a go. Can the Revuelto succeed the Aventador and live up to its pedigree?

In order to provide you with an honest and unbiased review, Lamborghini hosted me and other journalists for a day in Upstate New York to drive this vehicle for a couple of hours. For detailed insight into testing procedures and data collection, please review
our methodology policy
.

2024 Lamborghini Revuelto First Impressions

You don’t have to look hard to see why cars like the Revuelto are what enthusiasts’ dreams are made of. From its unique, low-slung wedged shape that only exists in attempts to be the lowest, slickest car to practically hug the road, all in the name of speed and handling performance, to its strikingly menacing bodywork, which has taken more of a form-following-function approach than ever before.

Prior, mid-engine V-12 Lamborghinis were mainly shaped to mimic the appearance of some of the period-relevant, record-setting race cars of their respective eras. But it was only recently did the designs of Lamborghinis truly embrace the science and methodological engineering behind the importance of aerodynamics, and that couldn’t be more true with the Revuelto.

At first, the Revuelto appears flashy and edgy, as a big, V-12 Lamborghini should be. But while its gaping front air ducts may seem excessive, they exist to help channel air around the Revuelto’s body. Not only does such air flow help to keep its wide array of radiators and its brakes nice and cool, but the air also channels around the body to help push the Revuelto down to the ground as speed increases, all to assist in high-speed stability.

But other physical elements simply exist as eye candy and to maintain Lamborghini’s reputation for striking designs. For instance, the beautifully exposed engine bay in the middle is a visual element taken right out of Bugatti’s playbook. And its overall profile befits the role as the sort of personal ride you’d expect Bruce Wayne to drive every day. So, as an exotic sports car, the Revuelto certainly looks the part. Does it drive like one?

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

That might seem like a dumb question, but skepticism arose from some of the most die-hard exotic car lovers about Lamborghini’s incremental shift towards electrification by embracing gasoline-electric hybrid propulsion technology—a representation of the socially and environmentally conscious times that we live in today, particularly with the war against fossil fuels and carbon emissions. However, any and all skepticism about the Revuelto’s hybridization can certainly be laid to rest.

Despite being performance icons and having a reputation for breakneck speed, Lamborghinis, in all fairness, never had the best behind-the-wheel reputations. Although very capable in a straight line, Lamborghinis of the past were often considered difficult and finicky to drive. Whether it be from awkward seating positions that only worked for people of certain body types and weights, to rough rides, to abysmal outward visibility, and awful ergonomics.

And yet, as flawed and sometimes terrible as they were to drive, those flaws are what made Lamborghinis so lovable. Because no matter how much Lambos made your back hurt or your ears bleed, you still walked away from the experience with the biggest smile ever plastered on your face and one of the greatest memories you’ll ever cherish as you made your way to the nearest massage parlor for reprieve.

Thankfully, when Volkswagen stepped in and purchased the famed Raging Bull in 1998, it allowed German engineers to inject some sensibility into Lamborghini’s recipes. And it wasn’t until the V-10-powered Gallardo and later variants of the Murciélago did some of that German sensibility allow Lamborghinis to be easier to live with. Some, however, argued that the Germans neutered Lamborghini and took away some of their lunacy and madness. But from just spending several hours behind the wheel of the Revuelto, none of the lunacy or pantomime has disappeared.

Because no matter how much Lambos made your back hurt or your ears bleed, you still walked away from the experience with the biggest smile ever plastered on your face and one of the greatest memories you’ll ever cherish as you made your way to the nearest massage parlor for reprieve.

Braking And Acceleration

And that’s because the Revuelto is as absurdly fast as anyone would expect from a V-12 Lamborghini. Sure, the Revuelto sports Lambo’s latest gas-electric hybrid technology, but this isn’t anywhere near like your neighbor’s average Prius. In fact, electrification added to the performance to elevate Lambo’s flagship as one of the fastest cars ever to roam the planet.

Part of this comes thanks to the Revuelto’s iconic, naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V-12, an engine that Lambo promised to keep around for as long as it possibly can in this push away from internal combustion. Built as a successor to the Aventador’s L539 V-12, Lamborghini’s first-ever clean-sheet 12-cylinder engine design since the Murciélago, the latter of which rooted its origins back to Lambo’s first-ever 12-cylinder in the 350 GT, an engine that in its succeeding versions, also powered the Miura, Countach, and Diablo, the Revuelto’s continues the trend displacing 6.5 naturally-aspirated liters.

Despite no forced induction (turbo- or supercharging), it manages to punch out a blistering 813 horsepower and 535 pound-feet of torque, even just using multi-point fuel injection, versus most others using direct-injection. With its three electric motors—one at each of the front axles and another sandwiched between the engine and transmission—total output registers at 1,001 hp, which is the same as the original Bugatti Veyron.

Sounding off on the spec sheet is one thing, but experiencing the level of acceleration and power the Revuelto serves up is a completely separate affair. Thankfully, all-wheel drive remains standard to keep you planted and shiny side up on the road. But mash the pedal, and you’ll see the horizon come at you and the speedometer rise at rates that render everything into a complete and absolute blur, especially with the cacophony of iconic aural sensations the Revuelto’s V-12 provides. And of course, massive Brembo carbon ceramic brakes exist to help bring the nearly two-ton icon of speed back down to legal velocities.

• Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 2.5 Seconds (Manufacturer Claimed)
• Top Speed: More Than 217 MPH (Manufacturer Claimed)

Performance Specifications

2024 Lamborghini Revuelto Fuel Economy

If you’re buying a 1,000+ hp V-12-powered Lamborghini supercar that costs well more than the average house in America, chances are, you don’t really give a damn about fuel economy. But if you had to ask, the Environmental Protection Agency rates the Revuelto as capable of up to 10 miles per gallon in the city cycle, 17 on the highway (which is actually impressive), with a projected combined average of 12 MPG.

And in all honesty, because I was in a V-12 flagship Lamborghini having way too much fun, I paid no attention to the car’s onboard trip computer to see what kind of fuel consumption I was getting. Though, if I had to guess, it was pretty abysmal. But when you’re in a V-12 Lambo, who bloody cares?

Interior Design And Comfort

With old V-12 flagship Lamborghinis of yonder years, interior design was often considered and perceived as a bit of an afterthought. Aside from the gauges to display speed, fuel, and coolant temperature, everything was always seemingly haphazardly placed, as if Lamborghini’s interior designers and engineers simply put things wherever they decided after a calm afternoon while sipping on some quality chianti.

But with the Germans stepping in with their sensibility, the Revuelto was shockingly easy to use. Its design may have taken a step or two backwards in terms of styling and pizzazz, prioritizing functionality and ergonomics over appearance, but the insides of the Revuelto are still very much an occasion. From exposed carbon fiber paneling, to the retaining of some gated switch gear on the center console, and a total of three high-definition LCD screens—one for the driver information display, one for the infotainment system, and a third telemetry display for the passenger—the interior design of the Revuelto is far better laid out for easier livability, but without fully sacrificing style and wow-factor.

The Revuelto is obviously geared towards going fast and thus, the seats are extremely narrow on purpose, all to support its occupants whenever massive g-forces happen in any direction. But over the several hours of touring Upstate New York, they didn’t seem all too uncomfortable either and the Revuelto managed to come across as very civil when you weren’t giving it the beans and driving like you stole it. But then again, if I spent a few more hours in the Revuelto’s seats, there’s a chance I’d probably start complaining from discomfort. But this isn’t to any of the Revuelto’s discredit, it’s meant to keep you awake and aware.

And from the limited experience I have with the previous Aventador, the Revuelto seems a bit more spacious and accommodating, which is reflective of Lamborghini’s desire and efforts to make their cars a little bit more livable on a daily basis. Lamborghini never really provided interior dimensions for its cars, but they claim that the Revuelto offers an additional inch of headroom and an extra three inches of legroom for the two occupants when compared to the Aventador. We’ll take their word for it.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Hypercars like the Revuelto and its Aventador predecessor are certainly all about technology, but not the sort of tech that’s meant to be a buyword and statement in safety, comfort, or convenience features. Instead, the Revuelto’s tech is all about pushing the limits of what’s physically possible in terms of performance. As such, much of its focus on tech is aimed at its gas-hybrid electric system and how it’s so cleverly engineered to simply make the Revuelto a bat-poop insane fast car and another performance benchmark.

There is some interior tech, such as high-definition LCD screens for the driver display, the infotainment system, and even a third telemetry display to keep the passenger in the know with what kind of speeds you may be reaching. Yes, there’s sat-nav, a radio, and digitally-controlled climate controls. And yes, they do all work, unlike Lamborghinis of far past. But to be fair, none of it matters when the sole act of driving takes precedence, since you want to make sure you’re paying attention to the road with so much power at your right foot’s disposal.

Cargo And Storage Space

As a two-seater six-figure hypercar whose sole purpose is to go fast, practicality isn’t really much of a consideration. That’s what the Urus SUV is for. But should you want to use the Revuelto to pop down to the shops or even to the local country club for some tee-time, Lamborghini’s engineers say there should be enough room behind the seats to fit a golf or weekender bag.

There is a frunk as well, since all the rear space is occupied by the massive 6.5-liter V-12 and all of its related components. But it’s best reserved for a few bags of groceries and another weekender bag. During our little stint, it surprisingly held our videographer’s camera bag as well as my full-sized tripod.

2024 Lamborghini Revuelto Vs. Its Competitors

As a $600,000+ hypercar, there isn’t much in the way in terms of competition. A car like the Lamborghini Revuelto sits at the very top of the totem pole and automotive echelon as an icon and performance benchmark. And with its staggering price of entry and incredible performance, only a very few come even close.

Sure, you can pitch the Pagani Utopia as a competitor, but it only musters up 852 horsepower from its gas-only Mercedes-AMG-sourced V-12 and because it’s extremely limited in production, it’ll likely cost a whole bit more than the Revuelto. That said, the closest competitor actually would be the $524,816 Ferrari SF90 Stradale, since it has a gas-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain that’s placed in the middle of its carbon fiber tub, just like the Revuelto.

But the Ferrari’s internal combustion component only consists of a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8. Its total output of 986 hp comes close to the Revuelto, but the Lambo still produces more. And as fast as it may be, a twin-turbo V-8 can’t match the aural and visceral experience of a 9,800-RPM naturally-aspirated V-12.

How The Lamborghini Revuelto Compares To The Ferrari SF90 Stradale

Because the Ferrari SF90 is a near-$600,000 plug-in hybrid gas-electric mid-engine supercar, it’s the closest competitor to the Lamborghini Revuelto, spec for spec. Both are designed and engineered to wow and awe in nearly almost every aspect as automotive performance icons and benchmarks and both cost far more than the average cost of a house in the U.S. However, both are still vastly different in a number of ways.

Performance

Performance without question is a focus for both the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and the Lamborghini Revuelto, but both go about it rather different ways. Sure, both are gas-electric plug-in hybrids with thundering internal combustion engines that produce enough power to slow the Earth’s rotation. But the Ferrari’s gas heart is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 while the Lamborghini’s is much more of an experience with its 6.5-liter V-12. Also, the Lamborghini produces around 15 more horses than the Ferrari, which isn’t much of a difference at this point.

Both will slay the 0-60 sprint in just 2.5 seconds, but the Lamborghini is faster flat out with an estimated top speed of more than 217 MPH while the Ferrari maxes out at 211. If not just by cylinder count and performance numbers, the sounds that these two make are completely different than one another, which makes a huge difference with the driving experience.

Comfort

Neither of these cars are Cadillacs or Mercedes-Benzes, or harbors for comfort. But despite their sporting and performance intentions, both cars can serve as decent modes of regular transportation, as long as you’re not any wider or heavier than your average person. But you don’t get either of these cars with the concern of being comfortable as much as getting your heart racing and adrenaline going.

Technology

As with the Revuelto, the technology in the Ferrari SF90 all exists as a statement of speed and performance, and thus, it’s all really focused on the ingenuinity of the plug-in hybrid gas-electric propulsion systems. But both cars offer the usual key amenities such as sat-nav, lots of LCD screens, and all sort of adjustments to the drive systems to adjust for conditions and uses.

The Ultimate Flagship Lamborghini Of Today

Normally, this section of the reviews is reserved for which version of said car being reviewed is ideal. But with the Revuelto, so far, there’s only one Revuelto and that one Revuelto will cost you at minimum, $608,358. As with the Aventador before it, and the Murciélago before that, and the Diablo prior, there are high chances we’ll see some even faster, and more track-focused variants, along with the possibility of an open-top roadster. Though Lamborghini has remained tight-lipped about any future model. But regardless, what you’re getting is a car that essentially needs no explanation as quite simply, you’re getting the greatest and fastest Lamborghini of today’s generation and that’s all you’d need to know.