When it comes to plug-in hybrid technology, only the Lamborghini Urus mid-size SUV will benefit from it. Lamborghini’s ultra-exclusive sports cars will not. Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini’s R&D chief, told the press at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month that plug-in hybrid powertrains can’t be fitted to the brand’s sports cars because the increase in weight and packaging constraints “would destroy the DNA of Lamborghini.”



“The first PHEV for Lamborghini will be the Urus, where packaging and weight will not be so fundamental for the dynamic behavior of the car,” said Reggiani, The Urus is expected to be a more exclusive alternative to the Porsche Cayenne. It will also offer more performance than the opulent Bentley Bentayga.

The Queen of England has already placed her order for a Bentayga. The Urus, which the queen would never be caught driving, is expected to debut in 2018. The plug-in hybrid version should follow a year or two later.


Both Porsche and Bentley are part of the Volkswagen Group, which means everyone within the group should know what everyone else is doing, especially when it comes to powertrains and technology. Porsche, which knows a thing or two about handling and performance, just debuted its 4 door, all wheel drive, electric sports car of the future at the Frankfurt auto show last month.

Called the Mission E, the concept was the highlight of the show. “We always said that when we do an electric car, it would be a true sports car. We also said it would offer the performance traditional Porsche buyers demand,” Wolfgang Hatz, head of research and development for Volkswagen, said at the unveiling in Frankfurt. He added “We have achieved both goals, while providing it with everyday practicality and an exceptional range.”

So why can’t Lamborghini do what Porsche is doing? Reggiani says when people buy a Lamborghini sports car, they want the sound of a high performance, emissions spewing, no apologies offered, honest to gosh, gasoline engine under the hood. He says the sound of the engine is very important – essential, in fact – to the Lamborghini sports car experience. With regard to a plug-in hybrid powertrain. “At the moment for Lamborghini,” he says, “it’s too far away from our objective.”