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Lamborghini says no to electric supercar, but yes to PHEV

Lamborghini has quashed rumours that it's working on a full electric supercar, but has confirmed that plug-in hybrid technology is on the way for its supercars.


Speaking exclusively with CarAdvice at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, Lamborghini director of research and development, Maurizio Reggiani, said that full-electric technology isn't there yet for supercars.

"If I look in the next outlook of a super sports car, I see PHEV (plug-in hybrid) being the next jump in technology, full-electric [technology isn't] suitable for a super sports car," Reggiani said.

"In terms of maximum speed, packaging, weight of the battery and for this reason we are looking for, the next generation of super sport vehicle will be focussed on PHEV technology where we wish the weight of the battery and packaging can decrease."

"But we can still confirm the emotion of a thermodynamic engine and people will still buy this car because of the characteristics such as sound and the DNA emotion that we cannot delete from the brand," said Reggiani.

The next generation super sports car Reggiani speaks of is the next-generation Aventador. The naturally-aspirated V12 model has been out since 2011 and is expected to be replaced in 2019 or 2020 with an all-new version.

That model is likely to debut the plug-in hybrid technology that Reggiani refers to. That technology is also likely to be seen it is initial form in the Urus SUV, which is due to be revealed later this year and shown for the first time at the Geneva motor show in March 2018.

We do know that adding PHEV technology adds weight and weight is the biggest enemy to a supercar. Lamborghini needs to figure out a way of retaining Lamborghini DNA, while also satisfying the demands from the Volkswagen Group on ensuring each brand has a greener outlook — regardless of the vehicle's intentions.

Could you stomach a Lamborghini with a power cord plugged into the wall?

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