Detroit show: Lambo teases Aventador S

LAMBORGHINI has released a teaser video that heralds a mid-range S version of its Aventador super coupe and a significant development of the venerable raging bull V12 engine to be rolled-out at the Detroit motor show next month.

The iconic Italian car-maker revealed its intentions to introduce a mid-range S version of its flagship supercar last month when it filed a trademark application for the Aventador S name in Europe, and the pieces of the puzzle are now coming together with this latest video.

The clip explores the history of the V12 engine from its introduction in front-engined longitudinal orientation in 1963 to the present day with a motor that has moved to the middle of the car and grown to 6.5-litres, and asks “What will be next.”

It is possible that the V12 announcement is unrelated to the Aventador S and the company is preparing to reveal an all-new donk that is instead destined for future models not yet touted outside Lamborghini’s walls. Either that or the car-maker will unveil a concept that houses an evolution of its V12.

Traditionally, the S badge has been the preserve of more powerful variants, suggesting the S will have more grunt than the entry-level Aventador LP 700-4 but no more than the current performance flagship LP 750-4 Superveloce (SV).

That would slot the Aventador S into the range with an output of between 515kW and 552kW, but it seems unlikely that Lamborghini would spruik such a development for just a handful of kilowatts, which suggests the S may harbour something more interesting.

The company is a stalwart of natural aspiration with both the Aventador and smaller V10 Huracan managing to hold on to atmo engines while all other brands are turning to turbos, but the auto-maker has previously told GoAuto that there is no forced induction in the immediate pipeline.

An S version could therefore represent the advent of hybridisation for the company with the introduction of electrification, although debuting the technology in a model that is already five-years old would seem equally implausible.

Since the unveiling of the Asterion hybrid concept at the Paris motor show in 2014, Lamborghini has made no further movements in the realm of alternative energy, but some green pundits speculate that a Lambo fitted with a battery pack is only a matter of time.

Guided by increasingly tough emissions standards and the pursuit of power, even arch-rival Ferrari has started exploring the world beyond purist naturally aspirated power with only the F12 resisting turbo power or a petrol electric hybrid powertrain to date.

While lower emissions and fuel economy may not be high on the list of features for the current Lamborghini vehicle line-up, the company has addressed the issue with its production facility at least, which achieved carbon-neutral status in 2015.

The Detroit show car is expected to gain some aesthetic updates to set it apart from other variants, without stealing the thunder of its radically styled SV stablemate.