The maestro of Italian automotive passion, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann, has thrown a curveball into the electric vehicle arena. He says, and he does not mince his words when he does it, that the world simply isn’t ready yet for fully electric supercars. According to Winkelmann, those silent speedsters apparently lack the “emotional aspects” that petrolheads crave.
We all love the innovation that comes with electric vehicles, and it’s hard to admit, but Winkelmann has a point. Yes, the electric cars are ridiculously quick off the line. Some can make proper racing cars blush on the racetrack (Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – we are looking at you!), but can they match the visceral experience of a V12 screaming behind your seat? Do they have the soul-stirring rumble of a V8 that makes your heart race? According to Winkelmann, not quite yet.
Sales Figures And Emotional Appeal
Case in point – Lamborghini Revuelto. This plug-in hybrid combines the powerful V12 engine with electric motors to deliver a heart-stopping 1,001 horsepower. That’s enough to catapult it from a standstill to 60 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds. Sure, Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire are quicker. But neither of the two costs $600,000, and neither sells like hot buns. Revuelto, on the other hand, is selling like there is no tomorrow, with orders piling up quicker than you can say “Lamborghini.”
In the opposite corner of the supercar ring, we have Rimac Nevera. Nearly 2,000 horsepower on tap, a top speed of 258 mph, and ridiculous sub-2-second acceleration are breathtaking numbers. And yet, Nevera isn’t exactly flying off the shelves, is it? Its Italian twin, Pininfarina Batista, spent considerable time in the marketing circuit, but the company keeps quiet about sales numbers. Unusual for Italians, who don’t need much of an excuse to celebrate anything.
Synthetic Fuels On The Horizon
Lamborghini and Porsche firmly believe the future lies in synthetic fuels and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Both companies believe that those fuels are a lifeline for combustion engines. Porsche is spending considerable money on developing the next generation of synthetic gasoline. With all of its Italian flair, Lamborghini is pulling all the strings it can to ensure the changing European regulations leave an exception for synthetic fuels, giving the ICE a fighting chance.
Neither Porsche nor Lamborghini are putting all their eggs into the synthetic fuel basket. Porsche is well on the way with its EV program, while the Italians are slowly getting ready to launch their first all-electric crossover, the Lazandor, in 2028. With the EU regulations closing the door on new combustion-powered vehicles from 2035, it’ll be interesting to see if the e-fuel loophole materializes.
The Future Comes Knocking
The world is racing toward the electric future, but Lamborghini is taking a more cautious approach. The company isn’t dismissing the EVs outright, but it isn’t keen on embracing them either. For now, the roar of a mighty V12 will sing since it seems to hold a certain allure that electric motors can’t quite match.
The thing about the future is that it marches on, whether we like it or not. The day when electric supercars will capture our hearts and minds, with their futuristic charm and silent speed, is close. Until then, we still get to enjoy the symphony of a screaming V12, the crackle and pop of a V8 with a side of a supercharger whine. Even Winkelmann admits: “We have to see down the road when this is going to happen.” For some of us, that time can’t come soon enough; for others, it is the end of the world as we know it.
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- Source: https://teslatale.com/electric-supercars-dont-think-so/