REPORT: Lamborghini eyeing hybrid model for 2015
Lamborghini Gallardo LP-560 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Following closely in the footsteps of its rival from Maranello, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has confirmed in an interview with German Automobilewoche magazine that the Italian purveyor of high-end supercars is working on a hybrid Gallardo. Not surprisingly, the electrically-assisted Bull is expected to hit the market in 2015 – the same year as the upcoming fuel-saving Ferrari.
In contrast to the recently announced fully electric SLS Gullwing from Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini's eco-friendly efforts won't include replacing the traditional gasoline-guzzling powerplant completely. Instead, Winkelmann suggests that a small electric motor would be used solely to get the car moving at low speeds, after which either the expected V10 or V12 engine would kick the fun into high gear.
In somewhat related news, the boys at Inside Line report that both the Gallardo and Murcièlago lines are destined to receive dedicated track-ready Balboni-style rear-wheel drive models to augment the automaker's already amazingly capable all-wheel drive supercars. Could the stage be set for an AWD hybrid with the front wheels electrically powered and the rears via a conventional powertrain?
Gallery: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
[Source: Popular Science]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark Kiernan 2:29PM (8/06/2009)
Hybrid, wow should we get excited about this dinosaur. I wouldn't drive one if they paid me. When will Lamborghini enter the 21st century?
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Lorena Palin 6:10PM (8/06/2009)
I'd pay plenty to ride this dinasaur...plus it could bite your little chicken's head off...
See, lambos are about fun. It would be a crime against god to have one that was actually good for the environment.
But, I should point out that there are fewer lambos out there than most other cars, and they are driven less. So really, the damage done by them isn't as bad as most "normal" cars out there, especially ones that are a little bigger, a little faster- ect... than they need to be. A lambo is not an every day car, and so, it's much less of a threat than your average SUV.
Greenies are just afraid of supercars because they are infinitely cooler than anything they have, and they are very flamboyant, and make an easy target for a mildly bad habit that can be completely demonized.
brett 1:39PM (8/08/2009)
I predict that the day will come that those who drive gas-guzzling Lambos and Ferraris will be dis-respected and looked down upon as people who have more money than they have brains or respect for the world around them. These latest "hybrids" are a feeble attempt at best at cleaning up the image of these cars that are loosing favor with the world as a whole.
These companies have the revenue to fund the development of the supercar of the future, yet they lag dangerously behind in all ways.
Mark Kiernan 6:17PM (8/06/2009)
HA, if you think that the lambo is better looking than the Karma by Fisker then you have pretty bad taste.
Who says that EVs can't be fun, perhaps you have never heard of the Tesla Roadster? Jeremy Clarkson (the UK petrol head) even considers lambos as cars for men with small ****s.
Also I am from Italy so I should know something about lambos. ;-)
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Lorena Palin 7:20AM (8/08/2009)
Well I've been to miami so I know more...
Personaly I prefer Aston Martins and Maserati to to either Lambos or Tesla/Fiskers. And Ariel Atoms to either of those.
Fisker does have a good looking car though, but not as good as the two mentioned above.
The electric supercars need to make more noise- I don't give a shit how, maybe make that "bat mobile" whirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr come in sooner, but a silent car reminds one that they are socially responsible, which is not what you want to think about while drivign a car like that.
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brett 1:37PM (8/08/2009)
Fisker's designer used to design for Austin Martin (and Jaguar). That's why they look amazingly SIMILAR...