Lamborghini V12 to continue

Lamborghini's new CEO says the Aventador's replacement could share its platform with the Huracan and possibly even a third, compact, super sports car. But above all, he's confident the Italian marque's flagship will retain its booming naturally-aspirated V12 engine.

Stefano Domenicali, has been the Italian supercar marque's boss for less than 12 months so far but the former Ferrari F1 chief says he is acutely aware of what he calls the "purist" heritage of the company.

Lamborghini's flagship cars have used naturally-aspirated V12 engines since the early 1960s; it's the Italian brand's calling-card of sorts. Even as rival car-makers embrace downsizing, turbocharging, and electrification, Domenicali is adamant the current V12 will continue.

"The V12's life will be extended," he told motoring.com.au at the recent launch of the latest Aventador S.

"V12 is part of our tradition and heritage, and we see the future of the V12 still important [to us]," he said.

And Domenicali confirms this is the case even in the face of escalating emissions restrictions taking effect post 2020.

"We are part of the [Volkswagen] Group, so we can be considered within the allocation of CO2 emission to a certain extent," he stated.

"With our numbers we don't see a realistic issue in the short term.

"For sure we need to be on alert mode because things can change quickly. [But] From a political point of view, I believe the V12 still has a longer life than what people are expecting.

"I do believe the next Aventador, whenever it will be ready, has a life with a V12 at the centre of the project."

Lamborghini's latest 6.5-litre V12 petrol engine pumps out 544kW and 690Nm in Aventador S. And while that's enough gristle to ensure exotic levels of performance (0-100km/h in 2.9sec), the much smaller 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 that powers the Ferrari 488 GTB delivers more torque (760Nm) over a much wider rev range.

Despite widespread criticism of the Ferrari engine as 'soulless', the Lambo supremo wouldn't be drawn on Ferrari's new direction, saying: "I do not want to comment on Ferrari because I have a lot of respect for them and because of my previous life.

"But as I said we [Lamborghini] are purists on that respect. We try to put this [naturally aspirated] approach at the top level of priority," Domenicali commented.
Cattle prod for Raging bull
That's not to suggest Lamborghini or its CEO have their head stuck in the sand. He's cognisant the current V12 emits CO2 at a rate of 394g/km. It must change with the times.

"We will work to make the V12 part of the future of Aventador in the medium term, that's for sure. Then, of course, we need to think about other elements via which the Aventador can have another life again.

"As a mindset we are already working on what would be the future," he revealed.

Domenicali said electrification will "absolutely" be part of Lamborghini's future plan but "only at the right moment".

"First we need to divide the hero car, Aventador, with the Huracan, and also with the SUV, Urus. So if I may go to the hero car V12, to believe that electrification or hybridisation can be complementary to the V12? For sure..."

Lamborghini recently toyed with the idea of electrification via its Asterion concept, a swoopy V10 sports car augmented by a trio of electric motors.

That vehicle was canned in favour of the Urus SUV.

Domenicali suggests that the electro-Lambo would go further – a fully electric exotic – although not for another decade.

"Can we see a BEV [battery electric vehicle] or electric Lamborghini? My answer is not now," he told motoring.com.au.

"So far I don't see that possible – at least in the next eight or 10 years, because in terms of the weight of the battery, the [effect on the] centre of gravity."

In the meantime, Lamborghini is courting highly credentialed partners in its research into electrification; among them, one of North America's best-known brain trusts, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

"There is an important project that we have just started with MIT – to think about what is the supercar of the third decade. What will be characteristic of this car?" Domenicali said.

"We are doing this study together and I'm sure that within this year we're going to have some new ideas we can work on… To project the shape of the Lamborghini of the third decade – 2025 onwards," the Lambo boss opined.