Lamborghini, renowned for its high-performance, iconic supercars, has reached a crossroads in its journey toward electrification. While the Italian automaker has dipped its toes into electrification with the V12-powered Revuelto and upcoming PHEV models, the fate of Lamborghini’s traditional combustion engines remains uncertain.
A Shy Step into Electrification
Lamborghini’s foray into electrification began in 2014 with the Asterion hybrid concept, but it wasn’t until earlier this year that the brand introduced its first production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the Revuelto. The Revuelto marks the first of a new breed of Lamborghinis, set to be followed by the Huracan replacement and an updated Urus in 2024, both of which will feature a combustion engine alongside a charging port.
The Electric Lanzador and Second-Generation Urus
Further electrification plans include the introduction of the all-electric Lanzador in 2028, followed by a second-generation Urus a year later, slated to be a strictly electric vehicle. These moves into electrification represent Lamborghini’s commitment to a more sustainable future.
Synthetic Fuels vs. Electric Power
The big question for Lamborghini is the future of its combustion engines. Chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann revealed the brand’s cautious approach, noting that Lamborghini is willing to wait a few more years to determine whether synthetic fuels can save the internal combustion engine (ICE). The decision hinges on regulatory acceptance of synthetic fuels on a global scale and whether their production can be scaled up to meet demand.
Winkelmann argued that transitioning to synthetic fuels and making ICE vehicles run on them could be “an easier leap” for Lamborghini than embracing electric power. The CEO envisions a future where performance-oriented electric vehicles surpass ICE models in agility thanks to advancements in battery energy density, allowing for smaller and lighter battery packs.
A Global Perspective on Emissions
While the second-generation Urus and the all-electric Lanzador signal Lamborghini’s commitment to electric power, the brand is in no hurry to phase out its iconic combustion engines in its sports cars. Winkelmann believes that, from a global emissions reduction perspective, it’s more sensible to focus on the scalability of synthetic fuels since he anticipates there will still be billions of ICE cars on the road in 2035.
Winkelmann admitted that Lamborghini won’t be the first to introduce an electric supercar, but when the time comes, he assured enthusiasts it will be the best in the market. As for the Revuelto and the successor to the Huracan, they are expected to enjoy a life cycle of eight or nine years, suggesting that they will remain in production until 2030 or 2031.
