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4 Minutes
Head-to-head at an Outback Airfield: Revuelto Meets 765LT
CarExpert’s Australian crew staged a series of high-stakes sprints between two extremes of modern supercar design: the plug-in hybrid Lamborghini Revuelto and the stripped-down McLaren 765LT. Using an unprepped airfield runway rather than a sealed quarter-mile drag strip, the venue added an extra variable — loose surface dust and reduced traction — that would prove decisive in these accelerations and roll races.
The Contenders: Powertrain, Weight and Drive Layout
Lamborghini Revuelto (V12 PHEV)
The Revuelto is Lamborghini’s latest halo: a naturally aspirated V12 aided by three electric motors in a plug-in hybrid system for a combined output of roughly 1,001 horsepower. The Italian supercar uses an all-wheel-drive setup, which helps put that immense power down off the line. It isn’t light—the dry weight is reported at over 3,900 lb—yet the hybrid system delivers exceptional launch traction and tremendous mid-range torque.
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McLaren 765LT (V8, Lightweight Supercar)
The 765LT represents the traditional, lightweight British supercar formula: a mid-mounted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing about 755 hp, rear-wheel drive, and a focus on minimal mass. In its lightest configurations the 765LT can come in under 3,000 lb, giving it excellent power-to-weight balance on paper and superb handling dynamics on prepared surfaces.
Race Conditions and What Changed the Outcome
On paper the matchup looked compelling: a 1,001-hp AWD hybrid vs a 755-hp, featherweight RWD track-bred machine. However, the dusty airfield disproportionately punished the 765LT. With less grip available, the McLaren’s rear-drive layout couldn’t consistently translate power into forward motion during standing starts, while the Revuelto’s AWD and electric torque filled in traction gaps like an ace up its sleeve.
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Race Results: Dig, Roll and Timed Sprints
CarExpert ran several direct starts (digs) and roll races to be sure of results. In three separate standing starts the Revuelto pulled away immediately, each time establishing a clear lead as the 765LT hunted for traction. Even in roll races designed to reduce the AWD advantage, Lamborghini’s higher horsepower and electric boost allowed it to fend off repeated McLaren attacks. The gap narrowed in rolling runs but remained measurable.
Key performance figures (as tested)
- 0–62 mph: Revuelto 3.00 s, 765LT 3.54 s
- 80–120 kph: Revuelto 1.33 s, 765LT 1.39 s
- 0–124 mph (0–200 km/h approx): Revuelto 8.02 s, 765LT 7.98 s
- Quarter-mile: Revuelto 10.18 s, 765LT 10.43 s
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Design, Dynamics and Market Positioning
The Revuelto signals Lamborghini’s direction toward hybridized hypercars: dramatic styling, advanced electrified powertrains, and all-wheel traction designed to maximize real-world acceleration. It targets buyers after extreme straight-line performance plus exclusivity and bold design language.
The 765LT, by contrast, appeals to purists who value a lightweight chassis, razor-sharp handling and a visceral turbo V8 experience. McLaren’s market positioning emphasizes track-focused agility and driver engagement rather than outright hybrid-assisted drag performance.
Comparisons and Practical Takeaways for Enthusiasts
If your priority is raw acceleration and consistent launch performance in mixed conditions, an AWD hybrid like the Revuelto will likely beat a lighter RWD supercar off the line. But if you favor on-track agility, lower mass, and analog driving feel, the 765LT remains a compelling choice. The Australian airfield tests highlight how surface conditions, drivetrain architecture (AWD vs RWD), and power delivery (hybrid torque fill vs turbo spool) alter real-world outcomes.
In short: the Lamborghini Revuelto’s combination of V12 power, electric boost and AWD gave it the edge on the dusty runway, translating into faster 0–62 mph times and a quicker quarter-mile. The McLaren 765LT fought hard and demonstrated superior lightness and eventual top-end competitiveness, but traction limitations in the test environment defined the results.
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