Lamborghini is teasing a concept car that will be revealed in three days' time. All hints suggest that we are going to see an electric concept car.
The Sant'Agata Bolognese-based carmaker has posted a photo on social media, announcing the debut of a vehicle on August 18. "Something new and truly thrilling is about to be unveiled," the Instagram post claims.
The Lamborghini head honchos have been talking about the debut of an electric concept car sometime during Monterey Car Week. So we have all the hints to assume that this is it. The Italians have previously referred to the upcoming concept car as the "first prototype of our fourth series production car."
The teaser photo shows the upper part of the car's profile. There is a sleek silhouette, probably with a very low drag coefficient, something that would definitely help an EV, as well as a high belting, suggesting we might have to deal with something with a high ride.
The greenhouse is narrow, a hint that visibility is not that generous from behind the steering wheel in any direction. Still, because there is nothing else in the photo to compare it with, it is next to impossible to estimate proportions.
The company's CEO, Stephan Winkleman, said back then that the upcoming model would be "much more daily suable" than the replacement of the Huracan or the new Revuelto, the carmaker's first plug-in hybrid, which is already sold out until 2025.
Photo: Lamborghini
It remains to be seen how much of the components shared within the upper portfolios in the Volkswagen Group will be shared with the upcoming electric Lambo. For instance, the Urus SUV got a platform donation, the MLB Eco, that also underpins cars such as the Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne, and Audi Q7.
Yet considering that we are expecting an electric model, the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) modular architecture would be appropriate for the upcoming zero-emission Lamborghini.
The supercar manufacturer is also planning to roll out a plug-in hybrid Urus, while the successor of the super-SUV will be an electric-only affair. But that will happen toward the end of the decade. Lamborghini will progressively come up with an entire electrified lineup.
But until that happens, we are to see the new electric concept car with the Lamborghini badge up front on August 18. That is also when we will find out the specs of the concept car previewing the company's first EV.
Lamborghini has not had a grand tourer since the 1970s
But in July 2023, Lamborghini disclosed plans of building their first EV in the shape of a 2+2 grand tourer. The last time the Italians sold a 2+2 GT was in the 1960s and 1970s, when they had the 400 GT 2+2 (1966 - 1968), Islero (1968 - 1969), Urraco (1972 - 1979), and Espada (1968 - 1978).
The first 400 GT, known as the 400 GT Interim, was actually the 350 GT with an enlarged V12 engine and 315 horsepower (320 PS). The Italians only built 23 such cars. Three of them got an aluminum bodywork.
Then in 1966, at the Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini unveiled what they called the 400 GT 2+2, with a steel bodywork, a different roofline, larger sidewinders, but a smaller rear window. 224 such units saw the light of day.
In 1968, the Islero came as a replacement for the 400 GT. It was on display at the motor show in Geneva that year. The name of the model was that of a bull that killed matador Manuel Rodriguez back in 1947.
The Islero was designed to be more conservative than the Espada, yet the Italians have never been conservative in terms of design. They halted production after 125 units built and sold and after the car starred in The Man Who Haunted Himself with Roger Moore in the leading role.
In 1970, Lamborghini took the Urraco to the Turin Auto Show, with a name being translated into “Little Bull.” Designed by Marcello Gandini, who also worked for Carrozzeria Bertone, the Urraco was supposed to be an affordable daily driver.
791 such cars were built, with 21 of them specifically designed for the American market. To comply with regulations in the US, the cars received larger front bumper. Emission regulations also forced the carmaker to tone down the output.
Photo: Lamborghini
The longest-lasting of the Lamborghini grand tourers was the Espada. It came in 1968, just like the Islero, to replace the 400 GT. It featured bold looks, also created by Marcello Gandini, and its name meant 'sword.' The 'espada' is the sword matadors use to kill the bulls.
Three different series were produced during the ten-year production run. 1,217 Espadas rolled off the assembly line during that time.
Following a half a century hiatus, it would be about time Lamborghini brought a 2+2 grand tourer to the market. Their first electric model would be late to the zero-emission party. But – as the Italians put it – Meglio tardi che mai. That would be 'Better later than never' in English.
Google News