Lamborghini, a brand that was famously founded as a symbol of defiance, is looking at new ways of public acceptance. In doing so, it will electrify its entire range before being mandated by authorities: by 2025, the raging bull’s portfolio will consist of EVs and plug-in hybrids.
Talking to TopGear, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said their clientele is changing. “The new generation is willing to talk to us only if we are sustainable. They grew up with electrification as a given.”
However, there’s evidently still a soft spot for the brand’s pure ICE efforts, with the Aventador Ultimate edition selling out in “a blink of an eye.” For a successful transition, Winkelmann believes that the key will be getting the two hybrid models right, the first of which will be an Aventador replacement with a plug-in hybrid V12: “The first thing is to make the hybridization successful. When we get the cars right, it will be.”
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Though Lamborghini is full-steam ahead on its hybridizing its performance heavyweights, the boss stops short of confirming an all-electric supercar. “Today a full-battery hypercar is not accepted. We know that from the sales figures. Five, six, 10 years down the road, who knows?” Winkelmann said.
That means that, for the time being at least, the EVs will be confined to the more versatile offerings from the brand, with an all-electric Urus replacement in the works. The fourth model will be in the vein of the Espada — a four-seater luxury GT, which may feature increased ground clearance.
But when it comes to their supercars, Lamborghini is keen to eke out as much life from the internal combustion engine as possible. How long the company will be allowed to keep an oil-burner in the back of their cars is largely down to the powers at be, but, as reported earlier this year, the brand appears to be bullish on the future of synthetic fuel.
“Our customers know the world we are living in,” Winkelmann noted. “They need always to get a thumbs up when they pass by in their car. The worst thing is if you love it, but nobody else does. It’s even more important what the non-buyers are saying than what the buyers are saying.”
Note: Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4 Concept pictured