Lamborghini is not about to give up on the V12! "Beyond 2030

At Lamborghinisome things just don't seem to change. The angular design, the elytra doors... and above all, the mythical V12 engine. At a time when the automotive world is moving towards smaller displacements and massive electrification, the Sant'Agata Bolognese brand confirms that it has no intention of turning the page on its mechanical emblem. And what's more, the V12 will survive well beyond 2030.

Matteo Ortenzi, Lamborghini's Product Line Director, made this clear at the presentation of the brand's latest creation, la Fenomeno The V12 is very safe at Lamborghini. The horizon for us is even beyond 2030. It's a signature for us, we love the responsiveness of this engine, and we don't want to change it."

A powerful statement, especially at a time when even Ferrari has had to compromise by replacing its V8s with hybrid V6s. Lamborghini, a modest-sized manufacturer compared to the automotive giants, has to juggle with increasingly stringent standards. But the Italian company has found a solution: hybridization.

The proof is in the Revuelto, launched in 2023, and even more recently in the Fenomeno, a "few-off" unveiled during Monterey Car Week. Beneath its carbon-fiber body, the Fenomeno hides a 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12, backed by three electric motors for a combined output of 1,065 hp. All of which is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.4 seconds and reaching speeds in excess of 350 km/h. A technological monster that screams at up to 9,500 rpm, and can also handle near-silent travel in electric mode.

This electrification is not a denial, but a lifeline to preserve the character of the V12 in the face of regulations. We have to be realistic," explains Ortenzi. There are different legislations around the world, like the C6 in China. We need to have a single solution that works everywhere."

In practice, this means that Lamborghini is not following the electric path at full speed. While a first electric 100 % model was planned for 2028, followed by an electric Urus in 2029, CEO Stephan Winkelmann has already nuanced these plans: these models may finally arrive in a plug-in hybrid version rather than a pure zero-emission version.

So Lamborghini's future is clear: electrified engines, yes, but always associated with noble powertrains, of which the V12 remains the jewel.