2021 Lamborghini Sian Roadster

For all the talk of the Lamborghini Sian Roadster being the brand's first open-top hybrid sports car with a supercapacitor, the small electric motor only contributes a paltry 34 horsepower to the total output of 808 hp. What, then, is the point of the car's sky-high price and complex electrickery? This is Lamborghini dipping its toes into the electrified era, but doing so in a typically unorthodox Lamborghini way. Essentially based on the bones of the Aventador S Roadster, the Sian Roadster is a sensational, otherworldly thing to look at and that supercapacitor comes with several distinct advantages over a traditional lithium-ion battery, including being a lot lighter. With a seven-figure price, Ferrari doesn't sell anything that directly competes with the excessive Sian Roadster - the SF90 Spider is a lot cheaper and uses more conventional lithium-ion batteries. Being a Lambo, you can scorch your way to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds, and you'll be behind the wheel of one of the most attention-grabbing cars on the road. But more than anything, the hybrid Sian Roadster and its coupe sibling are a daring preview of what's to come as Lamborghini gradually embraces electrification.

Lamborghini's first foray into hybridization for a production model has been accomplished with no subtlety whatsoever in the Sian Coupe (reviewed separately) and Sian Roadster. It's loud, powerful, and attention-grabbing in the way Lamborghinis have always been, but the electric motor and supercapacitor add another layer to the car's performance. With 808 hp and a top speed far above 200 mph, the Sian Roadster is a thrilling machine. Only 19 units will be produced and all have already been sold.

Lamborghini's premier supercar, the Aventador, is hardly a wallflower. But the Sian Roadster is somehow even more astonishing to look at. The Y-shaped headlights with their distinctive LED lighting signature are shared with the normal Sian, and these form part of a low front end with a carbon fiber splitter. Wheels measure 20 inches in front and 21 inches at the back, and they're wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires. At the rear, there are active cooling vanes that respond to the temperature of the exhaust system. There are six hexagonal taillights that are said to be inspired by the Countach, and the two huge tailpipes have a similar design. The rear wing automatically extends when on the move. Usually, a convertible is distinguished by its ability to go topless, but with the Sian Roadster, the lack of a roof is one of just many extreme design elements fighting for your attention.

There's nothing petite about the Lamborghini Sian Roadster's dimensions. It is 196 inches long and the wheelbase is 106.3 inches - about the same as the Aventador that underpins this new car. With the mirrors included, the width is a substantial 89.2 inches. It is extremely low, though, at 45.6 inches.

The dry weight is 3,627 pounds, almost 200 lbs more than the non-hybrid Aventador SVJ Roadster.

We'll start with the more familiar part of the Sian Roadster's powertrain, and that's the 6.5L V12 engine. On its own, the V12 produces 773 hp at 8,500 rpm and 531 lb-ft of torque at 6,750 rpm. The V12 is supplemented by a 48-volt electric motor that produces 34 hp and 26 lb-ft. Combined, the powertrain makes 808 hp. An important part of the puzzle is the supercapacitor that is located in the bulkhead between the cockpit and engine. It can store ten times the power of a lithium-ion battery, yet the entire electric system (supercapacitor and e-motor) only weighs around 80 lbs.

A regenerative braking system recharges the energy storage system each time the car brakes. This energy is then instantly available to the driver for an extra hit of torque up to approximately 80 mph, when the electric motor disconnects. The other important role of the e-motor is to fill torque gaps and smooth out the gear changes, essential since the seven-speed single-clutch automated manual transmission is not one of the best.

Imperfect transmission or not, the all-wheel-drive Sian Roadster is breathtakingly quick. It will reach 62 mph from rest in 2.9 seconds and continue on to a top speed of 217 mph. While the small electric motor and supercapacitor are clever, the V12 dominates proceedings. It sounds absolutely monstrous, and once it passes 3,000 rpm, the accompanying thrust is enormous.

Lamborghini has learned how to build a mid-engined supercar that is no longer a handful. Whereas early iterations of the Aventador threatened to come undone each time you abused them, the Sian Roadster is more progressive and controllable. The steering does a wonderful job of transmitting feedback to the driver's hands, the body control is exemplary, and the grip levels are mighty. Throwing the Sian into corners initially generates some understeer, but the car remains adjustable via the quick steering and throttle.

In Strada Mode, throttle response is actually a little lethargic, but it is noticeably crisper when switching to Sport or Corsa. The ride will jostle you and your passenger about on anything less than mirror-smooth roads, but that's the price to pay for all the other dynamic talents you get to enjoy.

Again, though, it's the V12 that you'll remember most after every drive. The noise and sheer drama of this engine can't be overstated, and if there wasn't a graphic on the center screen showing the electric system's recharge state and boost meters, you may forget that this is a hybrid entirely.

No, a small electric motor can't magically coax good gas mileage out of a V12-engined Lamborghini. According to the EPA, the Sian Roadster will manage 8/14/10 mpg city/highway/combined. With a 22.5-gallon gas tank, a range of only about 225 miles is possible - even less if you stick to only city driving or use the full breadth of its ability.

You'll have to stoop down low to climb into the interior of the Lamborghini Sian Roadster. Yes, the seating position is sporty and low, and it feels like the supercar it is from the driver's seat. It's not a massive cabin, however, and its basic architecture is clearly shared with the Aventador. It feels pretty special, though. Lamborghini has used only the best leather, Alcantara, and carbon fiber in here. Even the ventilation outlets have been designed using 3D printing, allowing each customer's initials to be incorporated into the design. In white with Blu Glauco detailing and aluminum elements, you are left in no doubt that you are at the helm of something exotic. As far as rearward visibility goes, it's rather dire, so it's best to focus on what's in front of you.

Lamborghini's specification sheet doesn't say how big the Sian Roadster's frunk is, but it is no place for a set of golf clubs. In the Aventador, the frunk measures around five cubic feet, so that's what you should expect here. Even a weekend trip for two will require careful planning.

In the cabin, it is as impractical as the Sian's insane form suggests. Besides the glovebox, there are no other decent storage solutions.

Interior materials may be lovely, but there aren't many comfort and convenience features in there considering the car's price. It has a few obvious ones like climate control, a push-button ignition, power-folding mirrors, heated seats, a rearview camera, and a digital driver's display. There are quite a few toys that relate directly to the driving experience and powertrain, such as the selectable driving modes and paddle shifters tacked onto the steering column. If you were expecting advanced driver aids like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning, prepare to be disappointed.

A portrait-style screen is mounted in the center console and the coolest feature it has relates to the supercapacitor. The screen displays the amount of charge and boost for the electric system constantly, and it can be quite distracting when you're on the move. The infotainment system is otherwise rather basic. It does have an AM/FM radio, Bluetooth, and navigation, but the automaker has made no mention of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It also hasn't delved into the specifics of the Sian Roadster's sound system.

No recalls have been announced by the NHTSA for the Lamborghini Sian Roadster, and with so few units made, one will assume that the automaker will sort out any potential issues long before the industry is aware of it.

A three-year warranty applies to the Sian and this isn't limited by miles covered.

With 19 Sian Roadsters produced, it would be pretty shocking if one of them was sent for crash testing. We'll simply have to assume that Lamborghini has built a safe, secure car.

It comes with a rearview camera as is mandated in the USA, electronic stability control, and up to six airbags in select markets. Blind-spot monitoring would've been incredibly useful in the Sian, but it's not available at all.

When the road and sky are clear, there are few better places to be than seated in the Lamborghini Sian Roadster. A feast for the senses in every way, the Sian immerses you in the driving experience like few other cars. The sonorous V12 needs no introduction, and Lamborghini's unique take on electrification has helped to conceal some of the dated transmission's flaws. The handling is quite superb and the Sian's limits are high, so you can push it hard before running into trouble. However, it's possible to get almost all the same thrills in the far less expensive Aventador. But the Sian Roadster is a calculated experiment from Lamborghini and sets the tone for a new generation of hybrid supercars from Italy.

The Lamborghini Sian Roadster's price is almost irrelevant since each customer will be able to customize the car as they see fit, influencing the final number. However, we do know that the coupe sold for around $3.7 million and convertibles are almost always more expensive. It doesn't seem remotely unrealistic for the cost of this car to exceed $4 million. Unsurprisingly, Lamborghini has not published a specific price for it.

All 19 examples of the Lamborghini Sian Roadster have already been sold, so buying a new one simply isn't an option any longer. Only one trim was available, but that's a little misleading since the customization potential of the car is high.

Some parts are shared between these two phenomenal supercars, but the SVJ Roadster sticks with a V12 only. With 759 hp, it has nearly as much power as the hybridized Sian. The Sian is better to drive, though, especially as the electric assistance helps to mask some of the shortfalls of that seven-speed transmission. There is also no denying that the Sian Roadster garners more attention and feels more special inside. All that being said, it's impossible to justify the premium of around $3 million for the Sian compared to the Aventador. It might be more car, but not that much more. If you weren't one of the 19 lucky buyers to snap up a Sian Roadster, you can drown out your sorrows with the equally animalistic howl of the SVJ Roadster's V12.

These cars are two very different interpretations of how to build a hybrid supercar. Whereas the Sian has a tiny e-motor and the supercapacitor system, the SF90 Stradale has three electric motors and a more conventional lithium-ion battery pack. On paper, the Ferrari wins: it's faster, more efficient, and can even be driven on electric power alone. The SF90 Stradale also has a more modern interior and can be equipped with modern driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Oh, and did we mention that it costs around $3 million less? All that being said, the Sian Roadster is a more emotionally-charged experience. Ferrari's V8 doesn't sound as good as the Lambo's V12, and the Sian looks more dramatic, if not as pretty. One can't easily compare a limited and extreme project like the Sian with anything else, but if you want the most supercar for your money, the SF90 Stradale easily takes it.