Hybrid Lamborghini Coming in 2015

First Ferrari, now Lamborghini. Will high-end hybrid sports cars soon be stalking the world's boulevards?

By Mike Spinelli Posted 08.05.2009 at 1:45 pm 5 Comments

Lamborghini Gallardo Could Get New Hybrid System The Lamborghini Gallardo (pictured) could be the first of the company's models to test a new hybrid system, according to company CEO Stephan Winkelmann. The first Lamborghini hybrids are slated to arrive by 2015. Lamborghini

In an interview with Germany's Automobilewoche trade paper, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann says the Audi-owned sports car maker will launch a hybrid model by 2015. Surprising news for a company whose V10 and V12 engines are best known for converting large quantities of premium unleaded into blazing speed? Not really. Officials from rival Ferrari have said, as often as anyone will listen, that a hybrid Ferrari is on the way -- the exact same year. What a coincidence.

Not mentioning the Ferrari hybrid by name, Winkelmann did say the Lamborghini hybrid -- like the Toyota Prius -- will call on an electric motor to propel the car fully at slow speeds, like in city traffic. The traditional Lambo 10- or 12-cylinder gasoline engine will take over at higher speeds. That means the system likely won't be like the current hybrid-drive tech used in Formula One racing -- which provide a short-term boost of power -- some teams have been using this F1 season to uneven results. He also hinted that the company's Gallardo model would likely provide a test-bed for the first iteration of the company's hybrid system.

Winkelmann also confirmed Lamborghini won't be delving into all-electric power, like Mercedes-Benz.

[via Car Advice.au]

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5 Comments

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whatsgoodson

08/06/09 at 12:26 am

I think new hybrid sports cars are an outstanding new invention. Can not wait to see it.

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mitEj

08/06/09 at 7:28 am

For the money I would rather buy a Tesla roadster. But to be honest I will likely never have the money for either.

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clayss

08/13/09 at 4:03 pm

Sad not to see my old home town of San Diego not on the list... all that sunshine not being put to good use - very disappointing
http://www.hedefnakliyat.com

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Sonicman10

09/11/09 at 10:25 am

Hey clayss, im with ya we got lotsa sunshine in Iowa...some times.

But the point is that a hybrid sports car is quite the innovative invention from a enviromental standpoint, and a sports car look standpoint.-DaSonicMan

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