2014 Lamborghini on 2040-cars

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Lamborghini chief stands by V12s

Despite the push for fuel efficiency and low carbon emissions, the V12 is still a staple of high performance. Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, and yes, Lamborghini maintain fleets of these monstrous dinosaur engines. And for the final entry on that list, that's not going to change. Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali sat down with Autocar and explained in no uncertain terms that his company will continue to offer V12s for the time being. "Our major customers and dealers around the world say: 'Please do not touch the V12'," Domenicali told Autocar. "So we will continue to work in that direction." But there's more than just customer demand driving Lambo's V12 loyalty. According to Domenicali, the company's niche is small enough to weather V12-ruining storms. "In the short term, there is still a lot of development potential in the V12," Domenicali told Autocar. "Of course, we need to understand what the market is doing in terms of emissions and legislation, but I don't see that will be a problem. We are always very open to how the market might evolve." That evolution, lately, has tended toward electrification. The flagship of Lambo's arch-nemesis Ferrari pairs a 12-cylinder engine with a hybrid system for blistering performance. Then there's the stuff happening with the V8-powered Porsche 918 Spyder and McLaren P1. These three hybrids are in an entirely different and more potent performance (and price) class than Lamborghini's hottest model, the Aventador LP750-4 SV. Hybrids are the future of performance, for Lamborghini included... Eventually. "We cannot be disconnected to the world of the future but we want to be balanced," Domenicali said. "We need to make sure that as soon as the technology of electrification is relevant to our car at a cost level, and will add value, we are flexible to shift in that direction." Finally, Domenicali addressed advanced connectivity systems while parrying Autocar's question about autonomous vehicles. "If you own a Lamborghini, you want to have the passion of driving it and we need to keep that. But new technology could have some relevance to the driver. For example, if you are on a race track, you could have a head-up display which shows you how to maximize your performance [around a corner], using the telemetry we have now," Domenicali told AC. "That's an approach where I see that technology could be very useful for our customer." Related Video:

Lamborghini Miura, Porsche 911 highlight Techno Classica

Visitors to the Techno Classica show in Germany this weekend were treated to the spectacle of all manner of classic cars under the roof of the Messe Essen. Not surprisingly, the Volkswagen Group was well represented, with the historical departments of two of its flagship marques showcasing their in-house restoration projects – albeit in radically different states of repair. While Porsche brought a completely restored example of a particularly storied 911, Lamborghini went the opposite route by displaying the bare body-in-white for a Miura. With the Miura now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Lamborghini's recently launched PoloStorico division is in the process of restoring several examples. Chassis #5030 is a Miura SV that, as you can see, is still in the middle of its refurbishment, its frame corrected but still unfinished – but that didn't stop the Raging Bull marque from putting it on display. It was joined by the freshly completed green example (chassis #4846) that was the department's first project, as well as the engine from a Miura P400S. Meanwhile, Porsche Classic arrived with a lovely 911 2.5 S/T, the precursor of the 911 RSR. One of only 24 examples made, this particular vehicle won its class at Le Mans in 1972 at the hands of works driver Jurgen Barth (who would alter claim victory overall in '77). It was rediscovered in poor health decades later by a collector, who commissioned Porsche Classic to bring it back to life. The task proved monumental, the vehicle having been modified, crashed, rusted, and used as a playground for children. Both vehicles aptly demonstrate the kind of care that these manufacturers' own restoration departments put into preserving their company's legacy. If you weren't in Essen this weekend to see them first-hand, you can check them both out in the pair of image galleries. Related Video: LAMBORGHINI POLOSTORICO AT TECHNO CLASSICA 2016: RESTORATIONS CELEBRATE MIURA 50TH ANNIVERSARY Lamborghini PoloStorico is at Techno Classica in Essen, 6-10 April 2016, celebrating the Miura's 50th anniversary and illustrating its scope of expertise in restoring classic Lamborghini models. Showing the original Miura SV first unveiled at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show and the subject of a full restoration by Lamborghini PoloStorico, the stand also displays a Miura chassis demonstrating work in progress and a fully overhauled Miura engine.

Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 SV Roadster drops its top at the Quail

The highly anticipated droptop version of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 570-4 SuperVeloce is here, debuting Friday at the Quail Motorsports Gathering as part of Monterey Car Week. The story here is pretty simple – take one Aventador SV and remove the roof – but the end result is a highly exclusive, truly outstanding supercar. "The Roadster version represents our commitment to satisfying our passionate clients with immensely emotional driving dynamics combined with an extraordinary open air experience," says Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann. For the SuperVeloce, output is 6.5-liter V12 is increased to 750 horsepower, and dry weight is reduced 110 pounds, to 3,472, compared to the standard Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster. Hitting 60 miles per hour takes less than three seconds, and the roadster will top out at over 217 mph. Removing the roof is the same as the non-SV Roadster. There are two roof panels, each weighing 13 pounds, that stow nicely inside the luggage compartment. The power rear window goes down, as well, to let in all that awesome V12 Lambo growl. Only 500 examples of the Aventador SV Roadster will be made. The first cars will be delivered early next year, retailing for $530,075 in the United States. Of course, if you have the means, then by all means. Related Video: Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster makes global debut in California, USA Sant'Agata Bolognese/Carmel, Calif. 14th August 2015 -- Automobili Lamborghini unveils the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster in occasion of the Monterey Car week in California. The Roadster, presented at the famous event 'The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering', is available in a limited series of 500 units worldwide and is the first series- produced, open-top Lamborghini to bear the name Superveloce. ''The Superveloce is the purest, most sports-oriented and fastest series production Lamborghini ever. The Roadster version represents our commitment to satisfying our passionate clients with immensely emotional driving dynamics combined with an extraordinary open air experience,'' Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said during the press conference at The Quail. As a member of Lamborghini's storied Superveloce family, the car offers greater performance with a power increase of 50 hp to 750 hp and a dry weight of 1,575 kg (3,472 lb), that is 50 kg (110 lbs) lighter compared to the Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster.