Lamborghini CEO says next Aventador will be hybrid with naturally aspirated V-12
According to Lamborghini CEO and president Stefano Domenicali, the next Aventador will retain its naturally aspirated V-12, albeit as part of a hybrid powertrain. In a discussion with Autocar at the media launch of the Lamborghini Huracán Evo, Domenicali made it clear that the Italian supercar maker would continue to avoid turbocharging in favor of natural-breathing engines.
The executive also indicated that Lamborghini is in the preliminary stages of developing a grand touring 2+2, which would be the automaker’s fourth model line.
Domenicali noted that if it was up to him and the brand’s customer base, the next Lamborghini flagship wouldn’t be a hybrid at all. Things aren’t that simple, though, and the automaker must comply with anticipated government regulations across global markets.
“In certain places, you will need electrification to go into the city,” Domenicali told Autocar, referring to regulations in Europe meant to reduce urban congestion and pollution. “That is why the next Aventador will use a normally aspirated V-12, but with a hybrid system.”
Lamborghini had a record year in 2018, selling 5750 cars and Urus crossovers. Domenicali said annual goal of 8000 units would be a good fit for both models and the markets they serve. He told Autocar that if the company can stabilize volumes at that level, it would have sufficient resources to fully develop and manufacture a fourth model.
“The idea is for a grand tourer, a 2+2,” he said. “That is something we are working on already. This car could help us reach 10,000 sales.”
Lamborghini showed the very popular Estoque concept back in 2008, and it ultimately never came to fruition. If this mysterious 2+2 production car follows the same blueprint, it would compete with the Porsche Panamera, Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door, and upcoming BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe.
We may also see a kinder, gentler Lamborghini. Domenicali says the company wants to be known as a “happy brand.” He said, “We have to be seen to be less polarising. Before, you either loved Lamborghini or you hated it.”
