Lamborghini has abandoned the sale of cars with internal combustion engines. This is stated by Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO of the brand, in an interview with the German newspaper WELT. This means that the company no longer takes new orders for the conventionally powered models that are now part of its catalogue.
“Our Huracan and Urus models were sold out until the end of production,” said the businessman. So, once the manufacturing of the ordered units is completed and delivered to their respective owners, the automaker will have said goodbye to gasoline-powered cars.
However, This is a half truth. Although Lamborghini will no longer sell cars that are only internal combustion, it is far from saying goodbye to this technology. The next step of the brand belonging to the Volkswagen Group will be focus on plug-in hybrids. And only later does he plan to make the leap towards 100% electric motorization.
We cannot say that this is a surprise. When Lamborghini announced its electrification plan in 2021, it made it clear that its intention was to carry out a “hybrid transition” between 2024 and 2025. And that only after that would it fully dedicate itself to the development and launch of an electric car.
In fact, Lamborghini has already introduced its first plug-in hybrid. Its about Scrambleda model that arrived this year to replace the Aventador and is considered by the Italian brand as his first HPEVor “high-performance electrified vehicle” for its acronym in English.
This car promises about 1,015 hp by combining its conventional power plant with “three high-density electric motors.” However, most of that beastly power (about 825 HP) is generated by a 6.5-liter V12 engine.
It is clear, then, why we say that it is not entirely true that Lamborghini has exhausted the marketing of its gasoline cars. Its new models may be technically hybrid, but they are still a long way from becoming independent from internal combustion engines.
The first 100% electric Lamborghini will be launched in 2028
Winkelmann explained that sales of the hybrid Revuelto will run out in 2025. By then, Lamborghini aims to have reduced carbon emissions from its vehicles by 50 percent. But the company’s intention is, eventually, to make the leap towards 100% electric cars. with the launch of a first model scheduled for 2028.
The top executive of the automaker did not provide further details about what features it will incorporate. Although he hinted that he should not only offer a great performance, but also adapt to daily use. In a way, he compared it to what the Urus currently proposes. However, the first fully electric Lamborghini is expected not to be an SUV, but to have a design befitting that of a flagship of the supercar brand.
It remains to be seen if Lamborghini’s strategy on its way to electrification undergoes any change in the coming years. Let’s remember that Europe banned the sale of cars with gasoline or diesel engines from 2035, although the conflict later broke out when Germany, with Italy as an ally, announced that it would not support the legislation. This put the debate on synthetic fuels on the table and led the European Commission to propose a new category of vehicles to try to satisfy the rebellious countries.
The hybrid transition plan may allows Lamborghini to gain time while regulatory disputes are resolved. If the synthetic fuel initiative goes ahead, it would not be unusual for the brand to take advantage of it to continue producing “high-performance hybrids” with powerful gasoline engines. This would not necessarily imply abandoning its electrification plan, but perhaps adapting it to models whose primary focus is not electricity. performance.