No other auto brand has captivated young crowds quite like Lamborghini. Since the ’70s debut of the Miura, Lamborghini has consistently sported the most extravagant design in the market. Luckily, that trend will persist as the marque transitions to hybrid and fully electric vehicles.
During the Milan Monza motor show, Mitja Borkert, the chief designer at Lamborghini, affirmed to Autocar that forthcoming electric cars will uphold Lamborghini’s legacy of radical design: “They will forever retain a spaceship-like appearance, always inspiring, always possessing the auditory and emotional elements to engage you.”
While this assertion is heartening, from my perspective, I never harbored any doubts about Lamborghini’s propensity for pioneering design. Lamborghini has consistently been at the forefront of innovative design, even though not all their designs strike a chord (e.g., the Lamborghini Urus). Nevertheless, it’s a marque that embraces experimentation. Moreover, for those harboring any uncertainties, a glance at Lamborghini’s recent all-electric concept, the Terzo Millennio, should dispel any reservations, as this model will serve as an inspiration for future hybrid and electric models according to Borkert’s statement to Autocar.
We may not witness a design as avant-garde as the Terzo Millennio anytime soon since fully electric Lamborghinis are still distant on the horizon. Borkert mentioned, “Our roadmap, as laid out by Stephan Winkelmann [CEO of Lamborghini], is crystal clear, and we are moving towards the future. We bid adieu to pure internal combustion this year and commence our hybrid journey next year.”
Considering hybrids are next in line for production, traditional internal combustion engines are not entirely phased out, implying that designs will likely retain a somewhat conventional aspect for now. This is because Lamborghini must still cater to the accommodation of engines, gearboxes, differentials, fuel tanks, among various other components. However, Borkert envisions novel opportunities in hybrid design stemming from cutting-edge technologies. Notably, he hinted at a novel muffler that could contribute to aerodynamics in a remarkably innovative manner.
In my youth, Lamborghinis epitomized the epitome of cool, and I reckon I’m not the only one who shares this sentiment. Their bold designs promised velocity, fervor, and exhilaration in ways that I couldn’t quite comprehend at the time, hence my enduring affection for the Italian marque. Despite the prevailing cynicism in the contemporary supercar market, there’s still a potent allure attached to Lamborghini. Learning that their imaginative design ethos will endure long after internal combustion engines fade into obsolescence isn’t entirely unexpected, given the marque’s storied heritage, yet it is certainly comforting.
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