Lamborghini has revealed a bold new plan to reduce its carbon footprint by a third.
On top of installing masses of photovoltaic solar cells on the roof structure of its expansive production plant in Sant'Agata, Italy, to reduce power consumption, Lamborghini will develop a new hybrid powertrain for its future product line-up.
The Italian supercar company makes the bold claim that by 2015, its vehicles will reduce their CO2 output by 35 per cent, and that hybrid technology will be one solution to improving its eco credentials.
Lamborghini has a reputation for building some of the world's most exotic and indeed powerful supercars and the idea of a hybrid V12 sports car that can drive in silence seems at odds with the carmaker's ethos.
Nevertheless, the Italian-based car maker has made mention of using hybrid powertrains in the past: At the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the eye-catching Lamborghini Estoque 4-door concept car was touted as offering a hybrid engine.
A number of fuel-saving features will find their way into the next generation of Lambo exotica, including stop-start functionality, hybrid (petrol-electric) augmentation and Lamborghini claims the overall mass of its vehicles will be reduced as well.
Lamborghini hasn't ruled out biofuel-powered supercars and, in total, the exotic Italian car maker will spend 35,000,000 Euros over the coming five years to achieve its green goals.
"We have an objective to reduce CO2 emissions to the greatest possible degree," said Stephan Winkelmann, the President and CEO of Lamborghini.
"We have also set compulsory annual goals that are part of an integrated approach both considering the automobile as an element which is more considerate of the environment, in terms of emissions and the use of resources, to the accomplishment of a series of corresponding measures such as modifications to our factory," added Winkelmann, referring to the improved energy efficiency of the manufacturing line.
"Despite the difficult situation in today's global economy, Lamborghini is committed to its policy of environmental management, since we are well aware of the great opportunities that derive from it," concluded the Lamborghini chief.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi