While past reports have suggested that Lamborghini->ke44 isn’t going anywhere near hybrid->ke147 technology in the foreseeable future, it appears that the Italian automaker is slowly warming up to the idea. That sentiment was shared to Autocar by Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini’s head of research and development, during a recent conversation regarding the status of the 2015 Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4 Concept. According to Reggiani, the Asterion could still have a production future, even though he stopped short of fully confirming this admittedly awesome new development.

The Asterion was initially described as a “technology demonstrator” by Lamborghini, combining elements of Lambo tradition like a 5.2-liter, V-10 engine with new hybrid technology. Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann also had some resistance on building a production version of the Asterion, but with the recent demand attached to the P1,->ke4608 the 918 Spyder, and the Ferrari LaFerrari,->ke4626 Lamborghini now knows that there’s a pretty healthy market for these high-priced exotics. The Asterion, with its projected price tag, would certainly fit in as the cheapest alternative yet still boast the performance cache Lamborghini is famous for.

For now, Lamborghini is still trying to come up with a game plan for what kind of package the Asterion would have should it hit production. Reggiani told Autocar that the hybrid supercar->ke177 could retain the concept’s features, including using the carbon-fiber monocoque chassis of the Lamborghini Aventador->ke3624 and combine it with a new upper half that would make the A-pillars more upright, thus improving visibility and making it easier to access the cabin.

The automaker is also in the middle of trying to determine the kind of hybrid mix it would want to have in the event a production version of the Asterion needs it in the future. The company is also discussing the potential cost of the car and how it can be packaged to make it lighter and still more affordable than its counterparts.

If Lamborghini does decide to give the go-ahead and build a production version of the Asterion, the Italian automaker plans to aim it directly at the McLaren P1 and the Porsche 918 Spyder, albeit packaged more as a “luxury daily cruiser” instead of an ultimate track monster. The Asterion’s projected price tag of £350,000, which is about $547,842 as of 12/16/2014, makes it significantly cheaper than the $845,000 price tag of the 918 Spyder and the $1.15 million sticker attached to the P1.

Autocar

Click past the jump to read more about the Lamborghini Asterion.0}

We’ve seen this song and dance from Lamborghini before. The company unveils a concept then says it’s not going to production only to reverse course down the road and develop it for production anyway. Oh, hey! Hello there, Lamborghini Urus!

Anyways, a production version of the Lamborghini Asterion would be game-changing in a lot of ways. For starters, it would break up the current trinity of hybrid supercars occupied by the Ferrari LaFerrari, the McLaren P1, and the Porsche 918 Spyder. A Lamborghini joining and potentially crashing that party would be incredible.

But there’s a more important reason behind the production of the Asterion. If Lambo goes through with it, the company would finally dip its toes into the sea of hybrid technology. The Italian automaker has repeatedly debunked any thought of building hybrid cars in the past with the notion that it ain’t a Lambo if it ain’t naturally-aspirated. Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann made that assertion as recently as October 2014 when he told Maxim that hybrid technology is something “Lamborghini is not all about.”

Call it a possible case of talking from two sides of his mouth, but Winkelmann’s comments come at a time when there have also been signs that Lambo could be softening its stance on that issue. The automaker probably wouldn’t admit to it, but it’s possible that this change in tune could be partly due to the enormous success Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche all had with their respective hybrid bad boys.

The unveiling of the Asterion Concept at the 2014 Paris Motor Show also added to that belief. With the report that the company isn’t closing its doors on a production Asterion, its looking more and more like Lambo is finally seeing the benefits of hybrid technology.

Whether it pushes through and crosses that bridge is another issue entirely. But it’s nice to see that Lamborghini has opened its eyes on this new supercar frontier.

Why it matters

Fresh off of making its debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, the Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4 Concept has become the talk of the hybrid supercar town. At the very least, the Asterion showed that the Ferrari LaFerrari, the McLaren P1, and the Porsche 918 Spyder aren’t the only hybrid boys that run the town.

The Asterion’s dramatic GT-like styling underscores an important characteristic about the Lambo hybrid supercar that its three contemporaries don't have. While Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche were all busy building the ultimate hybrid track machine, Lamborghini opted for a more civilized approach, developing the Asterion Concept as a luxurious daily driver instead of a fierce track monster.

Be warned, though. If you think the Asterion is a relative kitten compared to the three hybrid supercars, you’re sorely mistaken. Despite having a more laid-back design, the Lamborghini hybrid supercar still packs a menacing 5.2-liter, V-10 engine that can produce just under 600 horsepower on its own. Add the two electric motors that develop a total of 297 ponies, and the Asterion is capable of producing 897 horsepower and around 650 pound-feet of torque. Performance numbers haven’t been released but numerous reports indicate that the Asterion is capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds before peaking at a top speed of 202 mph.