Lamborghini’s chief executive says the brand’s customers still long for the sound, excitement, and spirit of petrol engines. The legendary Italian supercar maker plans to keep them at the heart of its lineup for at least another decade.
The rise of hybrids over full electrics
At Lamborghini’s London showroom, CEO Stephan Winkelmann said that global enthusiasm for electric cars is cooling. He sees this change as a chance to lean harder into hybrid technology rather than rushing into a fully electric era.
The company will decide within the next month whether its upcoming grand tourer, the Lanzador, will go all-electric or become a plug-in hybrid. Winkelmann said Lamborghini remains socially responsible but pointed out that its low production volume limits its overall environmental impact.
Supercars that stay true to their DNA
Lamborghini, owned by the Volkswagen Group, currently produces three main models. The Temerario and Revuelto are plug-in hybrid supercars that combine fierce petrol engines with electric motors. They can drive short distances on electric power alone but exist primarily for raw performance.
The Urus, Lamborghini’s luxury SUV, comes as both a plug-in hybrid and a traditional petrol model. Though more understated than the brand’s supercars, it represents more than half of Lamborghini’s total sales.
The Fenomeno stands at the pinnacle of exclusivity. This limited-edition masterpiece reaches over 215 mph, and only 30 will be made. Each costs at least €3 million before taxes.
Electric ambitions stuck in second gear
Two years ago, Lamborghini announced an all-electric successor to the Urus, set to debut in 2029. That plan has now been postponed, and the model is not expected before 2035.
The Lanzador project also faces uncertainty. Winkelmann said Lamborghini must reassess whether to stay with a fully electric version or create a hybrid alternative.
He pointed to declining interest in luxury electric vehicles. “Today, enthusiasm for electric cars is going down,” he said. “We see a major opportunity to keep combustion engines and batteries together longer than expected.”
The sound that defines a legend
Winkelmann insists that combustion engines remain central to Lamborghini’s identity. He said customers still crave the visceral connection that electric cars can’t reproduce. “They want the sound, the vibration, the emotion — that’s what defines a Lamborghini,” he said.
This strategy sets Lamborghini apart from Ferrari, which plans to launch its first fully electric model, the Elettrica, next year. Ferrari promises the new car will carry the same soul and driving passion, even without the roar of an engine.
Responsible, but realistic
Winkelmann said Lamborghini takes its environmental responsibilities seriously but recognises its small footprint in global terms. “We sell 10,000 cars in a world that makes 80 million each year, so our CO₂ impact is limited,” he explained.
He added, “We act responsibly, but we must stay realistic about our influence.”
From 2035, both the EU and the UK will ban new petrol and diesel cars, including plug-in hybrids. Yet some carmakers are lobbying to delay the full transition, citing industrial and economic challenges.
If approved, combustion engines could stay on the market beyond 2035. The UK will also allow low-volume manufacturers producing fewer than 2,500 vehicles per year to continue. Lamborghini, which sold 795 cars in the UK last year, easily fits within that exemption.
