Lamborghini’s all-electric age might short out before it starts. After promising the Lanzador as its first dedicated battery electric model, the Italian marque is now wavering and could launch its high-riding GT as plug-in hybrid instead.
CEO Stephan Winkelmann said the brand needs to decide in the next few weeks whether the Lanzador will be a PHEV or fully electric.
He stopped short of confirming the direction but noted that customers don’t yet see BEVs as a viable alternative and offering a full EV in the near term would be a poor proposition.
Unveiled as a concept in 2023, the Lanzador showcased sci-fi surfacing as a rolling preview of Lamborghini’s electric future.
The sleek 2+2 grand tourer looked like mashup of Urus SUV and Huracan Sterrato, claiming over 1 MW or 1,350 horsepower output with next generation 980 volt charging hardware.
Slowing EV uptake particularly at luxury sports car level, along with delays in EV development at parent VW Group and subsidiary Porsche, has thrown electric plans into question.
If the decision tips hybrid, expect familiar hardware. The plug-in systems from new Temerario and Urus SE combine twin turbo V8 with electric assist for both punch and emissions compliance.
The Urus was designed to become fully electric. Lamborghini decided to stop this plan during the first part of this year.
A PHEV Lanzador would put Lamborghini slightly out of sync with Ferrari, which is preparing to unveil its first EV, the Elettrica crossover, soon. Winkelmann said the company looks very carefully at what Ferrari is doing.
Winkelmann added the company’s biggest challenge is achieving emissions standards globally, particularly given how legislation varies by region.
Further proof Lamborghini is pumping brakes on electric plans came months ago when Winkelmann confirmed the next-generation Urus due in 2029 would not go electric as originally anticipated but instead stay plug-in hybrid.
If Lamborghini delays battery-powered Lanzador, it will be at least five years behind Ferrari’s electric debut. The likely decision becomes even more poignant as main rival just revealed more details on its first EV arriving next year.
Winkelmann recently restructured Lamborghini’s board, putting strategy director Stefano Rutigliano in charge of new alternative fuels project. The company is exploring fuel technology that customers can put in tanks using a percentage of biofuel.
The V12 engine from Revuelto will stay in production until 2030 according to his statement, which shows that Lamborghini will keep traditional combustion engines in their lineup regardless of their new Lanzador powertrain.
