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Lamborghini downshifts toward record sales

Reuters reports that the Lamborghini Huracan is doing exactly what it was intended to do for the brand: increase sales. The company set yearly sales records up to and including the first full year of the global financial collapse, moving 2,430 units of the Murcielago and Gallardo in 2008. But even 1,144 combined horsepower couldn't keep that momentum going, and by 2010 that had dropped to 1,302 sales worldwide. Retail success returned with the markets and buyers who deemed it finally safe to be seen in a brand-new six-figure car. Last year, the company set a sales record of 2,530 units, a 19-percent increase over 2014. In an interview with Reuters, company CEO Stephan Winklemann said that Lamborghini should break that number this month. The momentum is coming from the US and Asia, specifically Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Sales in mainland China are "broadly flat," but that has to be considered success when other much less spendy carmakers are hurting something awful in the People's Republic, and luxury makers have returned their primary attentions to the US. Next year could be even better, with the Huracan Spyder going on sale in the spring. Two years after that, the brand plans to double its current sales with the arrival of its supersport crossover, which has a target of "about 3,000" per year. Related Video:

Lambo to mark founder's birth with limited-run supercar in Geneva

Lamborghini has something special planned for the Geneva Motor Show in March. That much we knew already, but now new details have come to light. They look rather promising, if you're into the whole limited-edition supercar thing. Contrary to prior expectations, Sant'Agata's latest won't be a one-off concept like the Egoista or the Aventador J, but will be produced in a limited run of 20 examples. In that respect it looks poised to follow in the footsteps of the Veneno and Sesto Elemento. The model is tipped to be called the Centenario, and will be presented on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini's birth. The tractor mogul turned supercar-maker was born on April 28, 1916, and died on February 20, 1993, at the age of 76, leaving behind him quite a legacy – and a company that has changed hands more times than an aging baseball player. According to Auto Express, which spoke with Lambo CEO Stephan Winkelmann recently about the project, the Centanario (or whatever it's ultimately called) will wear much more subtle bodywork than extreme creations like the Veneno. That could appear more in line with the styling of the Asterion concept showcased last year in Paris. It may also feature some manner of hybrid powertrain, but will likely adopt the 6.5-liter V12 from the Aventador in some state of tune.

Jon Olsson drives his Lambo up a glacier because why not?

The latest stunt by Jon Olsson has no particular purpose, but we love it just the same. Olsson, a former ski racer, always has a neat car with an equipment carrier stuck on top, and in this video he puts his customized rear-drive Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 to work at Fonna Glacier Ski Resort in Norway. Makse sense to us. As he says in the short video, the aim is to have fun. He drives the Lambo up the Norwegian glacier aided by monster rear tires with some frightening studs, and then he makes things a little more interesting by creating a giant giant slalom course for the car. Olsson even clips the gates with the mirrors and front tires as he makes the turns, like you would on skis (except replace mirrors with pole guards and tires with skis). Snow is sprayed, there's lots of V12 revving, and it's all beautifully shot. It looks like he accomplished his modest goal. A little more about the car: On his website, Olsson says it took three years to build. One year was wasted by the first guy that offered to build it for free and ended up selling parts off of it to make rent. It then took two years to make things right again and add a carbon-fiber body kit, an IPE exhaust, a suede interior, a carbon steering wheel from a Gallardo, bigger brakes, and convert it to rear-wheel drive. His signature ski box sits on top, supported by a custom rack, and of course the whole car is plastered with logos from Olsson's sponsors, because those winterized supercars cost money, you know? Oh, and Olsson has owned a lot of cars. Mostly Audis and Lamborghinis lately, but his past includes a couple of track-prepped 3 Series and a Mazda B2000. Our kind of dude. Related Video: