Lamborghini Will Save Its Legendary V12 By Adding Hybrid Tech

The Lamborghini V12 will live on beyond the current generation, but the next one will be a hybrid.

With an all-new flagship Lamborghini scheduled for an early 2020s launch, the V12 format will be retained to differentiate the brand from other supercar makers who have downsized, chopped cylinder counts and turned to turbocharging.

But it will have to turn to electrification in order to meet emissions regulations. Whether that comes by borrowing Porsche or Audi plug-in hybrid tech, or with a more bespoke electric ‘boost’ setup more like the one used by the Ferrari LaFerrari, we don’t yet know.

The future Aventador replacement will start a push towards hybridisation right across the current three model ranges. The Urus hybrid was already confirmed, but the wider strategy has now fallen into place. The Huracan will also go part-electric and the V10 may not survive the transition. Speaking at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, company CEO Stefano Domenicali said:

“It’s clear that we want to stay with the V12 to have with the top car. Then we can discuss what would be the right engine for the future for the Huracan. Of course, V10 would be the first priority but we have the time to discuss it.

“The value of our brand is based on our top end product. It must be really the pure interpretation of a supersport car. We are sure that one of things you must offer on a supersport car is a V12 naturally aspirated engine. The car needs to be engineered for hybrid or not for hybrid. The supersport car cannot be a compromise.”