The company’s Huracan’s successor will go on sale in 2022 and it will feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Lamborghini says the car will utilise “next-generation” battery technology.
It even confirmed that the upcoming Urus SUV will be offered with a hybrid powertrain. Lamborghini boss Stefano Domenicali said, “The [next] Huracán – that car will need hybridisation. Hybridisation is the answer, not [full] electric.” He added, “There is still a lot of potential for the V12. The right approach for us is to have the V10 and V12 to suit our customers and then be ready to switch [to a hybrid] at the right moment.”
Lamborghini ommercial head Federico Foschini said hybrid demand from customers for now is low. “When they come to Lamborghini, they are asking for the power and performance of our naturally aspirated engines,” he said. “That’s why we have already decided that the next-generation V12 will stay naturally aspirated and it is one reason why the [Aventador] remains unique.”
Although the current range of engines will remain in the mid-term plan, the Italian supercar maker is already investing in the research and development of future powertrain technology for 2022 and beyond. R&D boss, Maurizio Reggiani said Lamborghini is working with industry experts, including MIT, to investigate what type of battery system can offer the best answer to the hybrid challenge.
“We have different partnerships with the most important researchers in the world because we need to scout [for future ideas],” he said. “I think the new frontier of the super-sports car will move more and more to the hybridisation, although there are still some questions relating to the weight and the packaging of the batteries.”
