Lamborghini to join hybrid hypercar race

Lamborghini has held steadfastly to its purist supercar philosophy by resisting the move to hybrid powertrains, unlike rivals like Ferrari (LaFerrari), McLaren (P1) and Porsche (918 Spyder).

By making use of electric motors to augment high-revving exotic petrol engines, the new wave of hypercars are setting unfathomable performance benchmarks while reducing fuel consumption to small-car levels, which leaves Lamborghini in the unenviable position of being left behind.

Two days ago it was announced the new Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid hypercar broke the Nurburgring Nordschleife lap record for a production car, completing the 21km course in 6:57 – the first sub-7:00 lap time for a showroom-ready model.

But Lamborghini's hybrid aversion looks set to change before the end of this decade.

Dr Heinz Jakob Neusser, Head of Powertrain Development at the Volkswagen Group, is responsible for the engine development of everything from the four-cylinder Golf to the V12 Aventador. He was forthright when asked if Lamborghini would resist the move to hybridisation.

"No. I don't think they will fight this."

Lamborghini's adoption of hybrid power will deliver gains in performance and efficiency, but the VW Group engine overlord stopped short of revealing when it would occur.

"It depends on the platforms we use at Lamborghini in future," he said.

"It's not a question of the next few years, it's a question of which base they use for the future.

"You see what is possible with hybrids, you see it at Porsche. They are the leading high-performance sports car company that shows what's possible with the 918 Spyder."

Dr Neusser hinted that Lambo could easily make use of the 918 Spyder platform, insisting that "there is no risk to use platforms of another company when you do your own interior or exterior".

It’s been reported that the next-generation Gallardo range expected in late 2014 would not include a hybrid version, leaving the door open for Lamborghini's upcoming Urus SUV to debut a hybrid powertrain in 2017.

But Dr Neusser dismissed suggestions Lamborghini is too afraid of losing its exotic identity by adopting hybrid technology, which in the past has been associated with slow, unexciting vehicles.

"There is no risk on the emotional side [with hybrids]. You see it in the 918 Spyder. I don't fear this technology -- it works," asserted the VW Group powertrain boss.

Dr Neusser said hybrid power would address the main concern all car-makers including Lamborghini face towards the end of the decade -- the tightening of emissions regulations, particularly in California and Europe.

He stated that a hybrid powertrain could open the door to more powerful V10 and V12 engines, which is unlikely to upset Lamborghini's customer base. He concluded that plug-in hybrid technology would make the hypercar maker "free from the emission side".

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