Photo: Catalin Garmacea
Even since the Lamborghini brand was launched it has been aiming at their arch-rivals from Ferrari. Everyone knowns the legend of how the Raging Bull company was founded and how one smart and ambitious guy that used to make tractors wanted to teach the great Enzo Ferrari a lesson.
Now, with the Maranello-based company moving into turbocharged territory with two models already (the California T and the 488 GTB) how long will it take before we see one such car from Sant’Agata Bolognese? At least four years.
That’s the answer Maurizion Reggiani, the company’s research and development chief told CAR magazine in a recent interview, when asked about such a possibility. The big surprise is that he didn’t flat out deny such plans but instead said that it’s a possibility.
"I think that a naturally aspirated engine is the best for our super-sports cars. It’s what our customers want but if we have to react to legislation and, for example, taxation for high-capacity cars in the Far East, then - yes - we can react and go the turbocharged route if we have to," he was quoted as saying.
The timeframe does seem reasonable enough, especially since we’re also expecting Ferrari to go the same route in roughly the same amount of time. With Porsche already confirming forced induction plants will be more and more used in the future, the race is on.
Regarding the hybrid Asterion LPI 910-4 that was presented only as a concept, winking at the likes of LaFerrari, P1 and 918 Spyder, the R&D chief claims that there are no plans for such a production car either.
However, if need be, thanks to the Volkswagen Group, developing a production powertrain that is hybrid wouldn’t be an issue. All we have to do is look to Audi that is getting more and more into electric powertrains.
It seems like for now Lamborghini won’t change its ways and will keep true to its old recipe but for how long will they be able to hold out? It's also a case of switched places in relationship with Ferrari.
Back when the legendary Lamborghini Miura was launched with its mid-engine setup, Enzo was convinced that was the wrong way to build a car. It took him more than a decade to come out with one that followed in the Lambo's footsteps, with the Dino that was the first car from Maranello to use the same setup. This time around, the places seem to have changed.
That’s the answer Maurizion Reggiani, the company’s research and development chief told CAR magazine in a recent interview, when asked about such a possibility. The big surprise is that he didn’t flat out deny such plans but instead said that it’s a possibility.
"I think that a naturally aspirated engine is the best for our super-sports cars. It’s what our customers want but if we have to react to legislation and, for example, taxation for high-capacity cars in the Far East, then - yes - we can react and go the turbocharged route if we have to," he was quoted as saying.
The timeframe does seem reasonable enough, especially since we’re also expecting Ferrari to go the same route in roughly the same amount of time. With Porsche already confirming forced induction plants will be more and more used in the future, the race is on.
Regarding the hybrid Asterion LPI 910-4 that was presented only as a concept, winking at the likes of LaFerrari, P1 and 918 Spyder, the R&D chief claims that there are no plans for such a production car either.
However, if need be, thanks to the Volkswagen Group, developing a production powertrain that is hybrid wouldn’t be an issue. All we have to do is look to Audi that is getting more and more into electric powertrains.
It seems like for now Lamborghini won’t change its ways and will keep true to its old recipe but for how long will they be able to hold out? It's also a case of switched places in relationship with Ferrari.
Back when the legendary Lamborghini Miura was launched with its mid-engine setup, Enzo was convinced that was the wrong way to build a car. It took him more than a decade to come out with one that followed in the Lambo's footsteps, with the Dino that was the first car from Maranello to use the same setup. This time around, the places seem to have changed.
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