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Lamborghini exploring more elegant designs

Ferrari's front-engined V12s and mid-engined V8s have taken turns monopolizing the brand's perception; the 550 Maranello was probably the last front-engined V12 to be first-to-mind, now the 458 Italia leads the family. Not so at Lamborghini, where a mid-engined V12 has been the go-to and centerpiece since the extraterrestrial Countach landed, and it still is no matter how much the Huracan outsells the Aventador. That shape, those doors, that engine – they're the franchise. That doesn't mean Lamborghini isn't trying new things. The Asterion LPI 910-4 concept from last year's Paris Motor Show was more than the marque's first draft of a hybrid, it was an exploration of a different avenue in design. According to design chief Filippo Perini, "We need to understand if we can open another window in our future to be not so extreme but also a little bit more politically correct and elegant." The Asterion points at elegance and "a daily use of the car" with more room inside, a slimmer rocker panel and sill for easier entry, and a raised hip point in the seats for a higher driving position. Perini said that from the driver's seat, "You can see the color of the car. That is something unknown in our very extreme designs." Extreme Lamborghinis aren't going away, however – note that Perini spoke of opening "another window" of design. The goal, he said, "is to understand if [its] design language will be appreciated by a different kind of customer." We can't imagine why not, and we hope we get more news about the "hyper cruiser" GT outside of magazine articles and auto show grandstanding. If it were up to us, Lamborghini would open that window all the way.

Even in the rain, the Lamborghini Veneno is amazing

Rare cars and rain typically don't mix. Owners don't want to the get their prized possessions wet and dirty, and they don't want to take the chance they might crash in the adverse conditions. However, someone clearly didn't mind having their Lamborghini Veneno taken around a thoroughly wet race course. According to the person who uploaded the video, this Veneno, one of just three production coupes and a prototype, was participating in an official Lamborghini track event at Vallelunga. The rain didn't dampen the spectacular sound of the rare Lambo, but it may have dampened the driver's spirit. He takes corners with caution, moving through slowly and gently. Even with care, the driver still gets the Veneno slightly loose. There are a few corner exits that you'll notice the tail wiggle a bit. Check out the video above to see the operator's careful driving and the Lambo's glorious wail. And if you need more rain-soaked Lamborghini action, we have good news: this isn't the first time a Veneno has been to a wet track. Related Video:

The Lamborghini Urus finally starts production in April

It's been years since Lamborghini pulled back the cover on the Urus, the automaker's first SUV since the bold and boxy LM002. Since then we've gotten a few details on the twin-turbo V8 and the plug-in hybrid system, but no one outside of Lamborghini has had a chance to get behind the wheel. According to company CEO Stefano Domenicali, the wait won't be much longer as Lamborghini's newest model is slated to start production this spring. In an interview with Digital Trends, Domenicali stated that pre-production models will start rolling off the line in April. That means it will still be a few months before the first batch reaches customer hands. According to The Drive, Lamborghini has significantly expanded its facility in Sant'Agata, Italy, in order to meet production demands. Annual output for the Huracan and Aventador will be capped at 3,500 cars each. Look for similar output for the Urus. We know that the Urus will get a plug-in hybrid system, but don't look for a battery-powered Aventador anytime soon. The Urus will be the only model that gets the system. There are still a lot of unknowns when it comes to the Urus, so look for final numbers on power, performance, and price closer to final production. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Digital Trends via The Drive Plants/Manufacturing Lamborghini Crossover Future Vehicles Hybrid Luxury Off-Road Vehicles Performance stefano domenicali