All-electric Lamborghini Terzo Millennio concept unveiled

Lamborghini displayed its Terzo Millennio concept at EmTech, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s in-house tech conference.

The nameplate indicates that this concept heralds the marque’s car for the ‘third millennium’. As such, the concept is powered by four in-wheel electric motors with the ability to control how much torque each wheel gets. Lamborghini, however, has not revealed the exact figures.

The Italian supercar maker has its focus on two main areas – next-generation energy storage systems and innovative future-proof materials. Lamborghini has been working on these areas with two separate labs at MIT and has funded the projects themselves. 

The concept uses a kinetic energy recovery system to provide more grunt, while a supercapacitor is also planned for the model. However, the brand has admitted that the battery technology needs to improve further, which is why it plans to develop the supercapacitor.

The Terzo Millennio concept’s structural components double as the car’s battery pack to keep weight low. Lamborghini claims this is another area that needs to see improved technology. The rest of the concept is made out of carbon fibre and has sensors that allow the car to monitor its own structural integrity by detecting damage and cracks in the bodywork. The concept will have the ability to 'self-heal', thanks to chemicals in the micro-channels of the carbon-fibre bodywork. With MIT, the brand is looking to develop new and alternative methods of producing carbon fibre.

The lack of a traditional four-wheel-drive powertrain has seen Lamborghini design the concept with a larger focus on aerodynamics. This area, along with the sound of the car, requires further development.

Speaking to our sister publication Autocar UK, the brand said, “The adoption of an electric powertrain requires to define a sound able to substitute the one of today’s V12.” 

Lamborghini chairman Stefano Domenicali said to Autocar UK, "Collaborating with MIT for our R&D department is an exceptional opportunity to do what Lamborghini has always been very good at – rewriting the rules on super sportscars. Now we are presenting an exciting and progressive concept car. We are inspired by embracing what is impossible today to craft the realities of tomorrow: Lamborghini must always create the dreams of the next generation.”

Also see: Lamborghini Terzo Millennio concept image gallery