Chief Designer of Lamborghini discusses Urus Performante, Increased Expectations, and Sedans

Leading Lamborghini’s design team since 2016, Borkert began his journey at Porsche. Starting as an intern, he contributed to projects like Porsche’s Cayenne and Macan SUVs, the Mission E (which evolved into the Taycan), and the stunning 917 Concept. Joining Lamborghini, he has added innovations like the Terzo Millennio, Huracan Evo, Sián, and the V12 Vision Gran Turismo car to his portfolio.

At the Monterey Car Week, I had the opportunity to have an exclusive discussion with Borkert about car design, his humble beginnings as a child crafting wood models in his father’s garage, the possibility of a Lamborghini sedan, and his latest creation: the 656-horsepower Urus Performante.

Noteworthy points included the remarkable effort involved in developing the new Performante’s carbon hood, the evolution of automotive design complexity over the past two decades, and the low likelihood of Lamborghini producing a sedan in the near future.

This interview has been shortened and edited for clarity.

The Drive: Kudos on the Urus Performante. In terms of design, what was the objective for this model?

Mitja Borkert: Our aim was to craft the ultimate driver’s SUV. We sought to create a vehicle that elevates the driving experience. The existing Urus possesses impeccable proportions and a stunning design, defining its own segment. Our goal with the Urus Performante was to set a higher standard by sculpting a more muscular version of the Urus, as if it had undergone rigorous workout sessions.

We focused on weight reduction, challenging ourselves in technical aspects to shed unnecessary mass. Aerodynamics played a crucial role; I aimed to lower the visual center of gravity by refining the lines to give the front end a sleeker appearance. The carbon fiber hood, a work of art itself, visually extends the front window while providing a lowered visual impact on the front fascia.

At the rear, we integrated a fixed rear wing. Unlike the current Urus where the wing follows the rear window, the Urus Performante’s wing ascends similar to a gurney flap. This design alteration increased rear downforce by 38% while also reducing drag by 8%. The vehicle’s wider stance and transition from air to steel springs resulted in a 20mm drop and 60mm increase in width. We introduced three new wheel designs, with the option of P Zero or Trofeo R tires on 22-inch rims for enhanced grip.

In terms of the interior, my philosophy aligns with a pilot-centric approach. A Lamborghini driver should feel like a pilot behind the wheel. We positioned the seats at the lowest elevation in an SUV, streamlined the color scheme for a more driver-focused interior, and incorporated Alcantara microfiber also used in the Huracan Performante and Aventador SVJ. The Urus Performante features exclusive interior finishes, including unique color schemes and trim with hexagonal patterns, enhancing the driving experience. A new driving mode, “Rally,” is featured in the Tamburo system, emphasizing the car’s fun-to-drive nature. Our goal remains to create emotionally captivating performance vehicles, a mission we have executed with the Urus.

TD: What proved to be the most challenging aspect of this endeavor?

Borkert: Primarily, the task of minimizing the mass. Realizing the 47 kg reduction in weight was truly a daunting feat. The most significant challenge, given its vastness and intricacy, lay in the carbon fiber engine hood. Achieving the precision and lightweight nature required, while simultaneously satisfying pedestrian protection standards, was a formidable task. I would venture to say that, from an external standpoint, this was the most formidable challenge.

TD: In your role as the design chief at Huracan, surely this represents a dream profession for any youngster doodling cars in their notepads—I most certainly was among them. What guidance would you offer to young aspirants seeking entry into this realm?

Borkert: Listen to your instinct. It’s imperative for everyone to follow their intuition. Design is one of those vocations that cannot be taught; self-awareness is essential. For instance, at the age of 6 or 7, I initiated sketching, despite being raised in East Germany, a region marked by limited car exposure. Unfamiliar with Lamborghinis, my passion was to craft vehicles; motorcycles and cars filled my sketchpads.

Translating my visions onto wooden canvases, I sought validation in my father’s garage, meticulously shaping my creations. The neighborhood was privy to my endeavors with remarks like, “Ah, Mitja’s tinkering in the garage,” signifying my commitment to automotive artistry. Subsequently, post the dissolution of the Berlin Wall, I secured an apprenticeship at Porsche in West Germany. By the year’s end in 2015, Walter de Silva beckoned, “Mitja, your talent belongs at Huracan.” Needless to say, it was an amalgam of festivity and acceptance!

We’ve since resided there for seven years, nestled in Emilia-Romagna’s embrace. Exquisite cuisine, fervent souls, and exceptional automobiles are our daily companions. Those showcasing vehicles here [at Monterey] should cherish the privilege of continuing this tradition. Undoubtedly, it’s a dream realized.

TD: Reflecting on your journey in this industry, what stands out as the most significant transformation?

Borkert: Recollecting my youth in ’97 during my stint at Volkswagen Group and subsequently Porsche, I vividly recall the meticulous craftsmanship that cadenced our routines. Crafting a single fender consumed months, enwrapped in clay and unwavering attention. The contemporary backdrop brings escalated demands. Within a quarter, a new fleet or model is anticipated, intensifying the pressure on designers. Undertaking a bespoke project slated for completion within a year amplifies these expectations and challenges.

The design sphere brims with constraints—pedestrian safety protocols, innovation rendered through driving aids inconceivable two decades ago, and the merger of graphic and interior design. The discipline evolves annually, witnessing a precise delineation culminating in graphic design eclipsing traditional interior aesthetics. A myriad of changes delineate this evolution.

TD: Envisioning the Urus in half a decade, where do you anticipate its position?

Borkert: Prognosticating the Urus’s stance five years hence, it’s poised to retain its allure. A deftly crafted vehicle, exuding timeless elegance. Positioned as a seamless design iteration, akin to an enhanced Performante version, the Urus effortlessly melds amidst the Huracan Tecnica and the STO range. Envisioning contented patrons extolling its driving dynamics and aesthetic charm brings me immense satisfaction.

TD: Contemplating Lamborghini’s portfolio, can you foresee the brand venturing into the sedan segment?

Borkert: Never is definitive, yet the prospect of Lamborghini venturing into the sedan domain seems remote. Recall the exquisite Estoque unveiled in 2008? While a personal favorite, it symbolizes uncharted territory for our brand.

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