Lamborghini screamers to fight on — for now

Maurizio Reggiani is calm and measured, with that effortless sense of charisma so typical of successful Italian men, but when we asked him about the trend towards downsized and turbocharging engines, his demeanour changes.

Taking off his jacket, Lamborghini's Board Member for Research and Development – a man who has been part of the brand since 1998 – literally touches fingers to his heart.

“I came from engine development. I am proud that natural-aspiration is the DNA of the super sport car,” he says, eyes filled with passion.

“[But] The rules of the game have changed. Now there is taxation, pollution and efficiency to consider. Sooner or later, even super sports cars will be obliged to move to downsizing and turbocharging. Then, it will be to plug-in hybrid."

In what would echo Ferrari's move to downsizing and turbocharging with the twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 for its upgraded 458M, Reggiani confirms the Huracan's Audi-sourced naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10 – derived from its Gallardo predecessor — will make way for a smaller, force-fed engine.

“Considering a new engine is generally a four-year cycle, I have to look forward. And the best compromise between efficiency and performance is to move to turbocharging." He said.

Another journalist asks: “Will the 12-cylinder survive?”

Reggiani stands up, indicating to his heart again. “I will never say something like this. I will do my best [to keep it alive].”

Lamborghini has already confirmed its first SUV, the 2017 Urus, will also be its first hybrid-powered model.

However, unlike Ferrari, which has revealed it will hybridise its future V12 models the F12 and FF) to meet CO2 emissions regulations, Lamborghini appears unready to admit it will also be forced to electrify its V12 supercar, the Aventador.