Lamborghini’s chief executive says the brand’s loyal customers still demand the sound, emotion, and thrill of petrol engines. The Italian supercar maker plans to keep them at the core of its lineup for at least another decade.
Turning from full electric to hybrid innovation
At Lamborghini’s London showroom, CEO Stephan Winkelmann said enthusiasm for electric cars is fading. He believes this shift gives the brand space to strengthen its focus on hybrid technology instead of fully electric models.
Within the next few weeks, Lamborghini will decide whether the long-anticipated Lanzador will launch as a full-electric car or as a plug-in hybrid. Winkelmann said the company acts responsibly but noted that, as a low-volume manufacturer, its environmental impact remains limited.
Performance icons built with power and purpose
Lamborghini, part of the Volkswagen Group, currently produces three key models. The Temerario and Revuelto are plug-in hybrid supercars that pair roaring petrol engines with electric motors. They can drive short distances using only electricity but remain focused on speed and power.
The Urus, Lamborghini’s luxury SUV, is available as both a plug-in hybrid and a petrol version. Less flamboyant than the brand’s supercars, it still accounts for more than half of Lamborghini’s global sales.
The Fenomeno, a limited-edition model, pushes exclusivity even further. With a top speed of more than 215 mph, only 30 will ever be made. Each car costs at least €3 million before taxes.
Electric ambitions lose charge
Two years ago, Lamborghini announced plans for an all-electric successor to the Urus by 2029. That project has now been postponed, with the model not expected before 2035.
The fate of the Lanzador also hangs in the balance. Winkelmann said Lamborghini is reviewing whether the project should remain fully electric or evolve into a hybrid.
He pointed to waning interest among luxury car buyers. “Today, enthusiasm for electric cars is going down,” he said. “We see a major opportunity to keep combustion engines and batteries working together much longer than expected.”
The soul of the engine endures
Winkelmann insists that the combustion engine remains central to Lamborghini’s identity. He said customers still seek the sound, power, and emotional connection that only a petrol engine provides. “They still want the sound and the feeling of a combustion engine,” he said.
This view contrasts with Ferrari’s approach. The rival Italian marque is pressing ahead with its first fully electric model, the Elettrica, due next year. Ferrari says the car will preserve its signature driving spirit — just without the roar.
Responsibility without illusion
Winkelmann said Lamborghini recognises the importance of reducing emissions but maintains perspective about its role. “We sell 10,000 cars in a world producing 80 million each year, so our CO₂ impact is small,” he explained.
He added, “We are socially responsible, but our overall influence is limited.”
From 2035, new petrol and diesel cars — including plug-in hybrids — will be banned in the EU and the UK. Yet some manufacturers are pushing for more time, citing industrial and economic pressures.
If regulators agree, combustion engines could remain beyond 2035. The UK’s rules also allow low-volume carmakers, producing under 2,500 vehicles annually, to continue sales. Lamborghini, which sold 795 cars in the UK last year, easily fits that exemption.
