More stringent fuel economy and emissions regulations rolling in across major markets around the globe have all automakers, even supercar manufacturers, rethinking their designs and manufacturing processes in an effort to become greener.
Even the likes of Ferrari and Porsche will be launching new flagships powered by hybrid drivetrains by the end of next year, but while its rivals race to launch a new generation of hybrid supercars on the market, Lamborghini is taking a different view with its green strategy.
Speaking at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said his company’s supercar line, made up of the Aventador and Gallardo models, won’t adopt a hybrid system anytime soon. The reason being that current hybrid technology is simply too big and heavy.
While the technology may not be ready for one of its supercars, Lamborghini certainly remains interested in hybrids. In fact, we could see the option offered in a production version of the Urus SUV concept, should such a vehicle be given the green light.
When asked if Lamborghini might launch a hybrid SUV, a spokesman for the company said that something like the Urus would be the right type of vehicle. Of course, a production version of the Urus isn’t expected until 2017 at the earliest, and there’s talk that even that date might have to be pushed back.
In the meantime, Lamborghini will focus on reducing the weight of its vehicles and refining its powertrains to cut emissions further. We’ve already seen this with the recent announcement of cylinder deactivation and engine stop-starton the Aventador.
According to the same spokesman, the decision behind adding these features to the Aventador is due to Lamborghini’s overall goal to reduce the CO2 emissions of its vehicles 35 percent by 2015, compared with 2009 levels.
This is something all Volkswagen Group brands are committed to, though Lamborghini is particularly focused in this area. In fact, the automaker sees boosting its environmental credibility as a company-wide task and is working on improving the efficiency of its entire operations. Another initiative was the installation of photovoltaic solar cells, which has already helped reduce the CO2 emissions of its factory by 30 percent.
Display at Lamborghini’s factory showing solar power production
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