LAMBORGHINI BURIED A GORGEOUS SEDAN TWICE TO MAKE ANOTHER SUV

When Lamborghini first started considering expanding its mode range to four, it had a tough time deciding what to build. We almost ended up with a Raging Bull sedan before the company decided against it because of the design challenges of a long wheelbase, instead electing to create an SUV called the Lanzador.

Lamborghini

Automobili Lamborghini was created in 1963 after its founder had a disagreement with Enzo Ferrari over the cost of servicing his cars, arguing that Ferrari was overcharging for off-the-shelf parts. Enzo didn't respond amicably, so Ferruccio took matters into his own hands with the 350 GT. Lamborghini later introduced the Miura, widely regarded as the first true supercar and one of the prettiest ever made. These days, the brand's identity is characterized by AWD drivetrains, outrageous special editions, and raucous engines. The 1,001-hp Revuelto is its current V12 flagship, while the Urus SUV is its bestseller.

Founded 1963
Founder Ferruccio Lamborghini
Headquarters Santgata Bolognese
Owned By Audi
Current CEO Stephan Winkelmann

Company chair and CEO Stephan Winkelmann spoke with Car Magazine about the company's planned changes and current state, as well as what makes Lamborghini tick. It's about more than just raw performance, said the CEO.

Why Lamborghini Couldn't Build Another Supercar

Winkelmann was asked how Lamborghini chose to go with the Lanzador concept, a 1,340-horsepower two-door EV for its fourth model. The high-riding SUV-like coupe is set to become the company's first EV and come to market near the end of the decade.

"We said we already have two supercars - the Lamborghini Temerario and Revuelto - which are not overlapping, and we have an SUV, the Urus, which is a totally different car. So we looked at the idea to make a GT car, which is what we chose at the end of the day. But we also looked at another SUV, which we rejected, and a limousine, which we had already considered with the Estoque back in 2008. It was a concept which we had to develop further - it had a long wheelbase and we concluded that a long wheelbase does not always look that good."

- Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO, Lamborghini

He said that sedans today are aimed more at Asia and North America than Europe, that they needed to have a long wheelbase, and that they weren't always lookers. The unconventional proportions of the 2008 Estoque concept show that he's right. But Lamborghini couldn't do a third supercar. "We were very keen not to put too much cannibalization between the cars," Winkelmann said.

Fourth Lamborghini Is For Daily Driving

So why is he doing a fourth model? "Its clear we have to find synergies between the two supercars and the more daily usable cars," he said. Winkelmann brings up cars like the 350 GT and Espada, front-engine cars that were more practical than the eye-catching machinery like the Miura. The Lanzador's high-riding EV platform will also allow for more synergies, he said, making it the winning call. What synergies? After the Lanzador, Winkelmann said, the Urus will go all-electric. It will share some of its engineering and likely the platform with the Lanzador.

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There may be no better way to say, farewell.

When will the Lanzador launch? When it is ready, he says. "We have a lot of things which we want to accomplish with the fourth model range, so we have to look carefully about when to launch it and how," said Winkelmann. Considerations include the market's acceptance of EVs which has become more uncertain, possible legislation changes including synthetic fuels, and even just being sure that it is a true Lamborghini.

"Its about the feeling, the design, and the handling behavior of the car, not just the outright numbers," he said. Winkelmann described Lamborghini as never having been a brand chasing specs on a spreadsheet, but instead, a brand focused on building emotion, something he believes the company will be able to do best with a taller vehicle than any sedan.

Editor's Note:

Several automakers adopted a very similar approach to the Estoque with their own so-called "four-door coupes," proving that the concept of a sleek sedan with a long wheelbase isn't universally unpopular.

Source: Car Magazine

2024-11-16T04:18:27Z