Autoblog

How can a company like Lamborghini be expected to adapt to tightening emissions regulations? It's a reasonable question, and according to the company's chief executive Stephan Winkelmann, it simply can't. In an interview with Automotive News, the supercar exec justifies that its production is so limited and its vehicles are so rarely driven that its overall environmental impact is negligible. As such, Lamborghini will not be switching to downsized engines, like Ferrari has been discussing.

Winkelmann also reiterated that Lamborghini is not interested in significantly boosting production, or in developing SUVs or four-seaters. Business as usual, then, for the Raging Bull, and you know what that means: powerful, loud, exotic supercars that you can't get your hands on... and hopefully, neither will the bureaucrats.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

"Regular" LP640 used for demonstration purposes

Jalopnik has busted the lid off the super-secret Lambo supercar that has been little more than a whisper campaign until now. Looks like Lambo leader Stephan Winkelmann has finally admitted what we've know for a little while. Up in Monterey we heard people talking in hushed voices about a new $1.5 million supercar based off the LP640, but with styling "inspired by jets." Winkelmann confirmed those rumors while announcing that we'd be seeing something special from Sant'Agata Bolognese at the Frankfurt Auto Show next week. We've heard that although the exterior is rather exceptional, it's what's on the inside that really matters the most. Something about a truly innovative dash that has folks abuzz. It better be good to command 5 times a normal LP's price tag.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Here's a profile of Stephan Winkelmann, head of Italian supercar builder, Lamborghini. It comes from The Times and shows us how Winkelmann has put together a pretty solid business plan to help keep Lamborghini out of the sort of financial trouble that has seemingly always been a part of the company's reality. When Audi took control of Lamborghini at the end of 2004, Winkelmann took some time to think it over before agreeing to take the reins. Although the budget seemed modest, Lamborghini had to remain extreme, in his mind. So while the cars themselves have had to use some shared parts with their corporate brethren, they still have that certain Lambo flair. The company also added signature items to their catalog - clothing, merchandise, and accessories - that have helped spread the name.

Just before Winkelmann stepped in, the company had finally surpassed 1,000 units sold in 2003, but it wasn't until 2004/2005 that they saw any kind of profit. Last year, they passed 2,000 vehicles sold worldwide and reported earnings of €18.1 million. That's a far cry from the 1970s and 1980s, when selling 250 cars a year seemed fine. Looks like the Superleggera and LP640 Roadster have made '07 a pretty good year so far, too. And there is more to come. "We're getting serious," Winkelmann says. "We are not just a toy producer for men. We are a quality car company and the results will speak for themselves."

Read the whole story to see more details about Winkelmann's plan for the company. Hint: It doesn't include a third (or fourth) model.

[Source: Times Online]

Lamborghini has been on something of a roll lately. It had a record year last year with 2,087 units sold. It introduced special editions of the Murcielago and Gallardo, as well as upgraded the "regular" Murci to LP640 status. A roadster version of the LP640 was a no-brainer and showed up soon after. They also let slip that a super lightweight version of the bread-and-butter Gallardo would be debuting in Geneva. So there are lots of reasons to smile if you're with Lamborghini or an enthusiast who follows the way of the bull. One particular highlight must have been seeing a Murci Roadster pop up in Batman Begins. As playboy Bruce Wayne, the Dark Knight escorts a pair of lovelies to dinner and makes a most dramatic exit after an impromptu dip in the fountain. Uma Thurman will also be piloting a Lambo on the small screen in Pirelli's mini feature "Mission Zero", though this time a Gallardo Spyder. Well, it looks like we might be seeing even more of Lamborghini on the big screen in the near future.

Despite the good press for Lamborghini, there have been rumblings that VW might want to shed its supercar brand. And even with more than 2,000 sales last year, that was less than half of archrival Ferrari's U.S. total. Even though Volkswagen has said it is committed to keeping Lambo, and Bugatti for that matter, a sales boost sure would help. Lamborghini's highest profile vehicle, the Murcielago Roadster LP640 was a star of the recent North American International Auto Show last month in Detroit, but getting it into the next Batman movie should get it even more international attention, and that appears to be the plan. Brandweek recently sat down with Automobili Lamborghini CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, to discuss the company's U.S. strategies. Follow the read link for the whole interview.

[Source: Brandweek]

As shapely as it may be, the Miura Concept is not the way of the future for Lamborghini. At least not according to Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann who is quoted saying, "Retro design is not what we are here for. So we won't do the Miura, even as a limited edition." Despite rumors of a limited run of Miuras, a nuovo LM002, and a possible Espada redux, future Lambos will focus on being leaders in their segments rather than homages to the past.

That doesn't mean that entire segments will be avoided because of past entries, however. "The concept of a Lamborghini 2+2 or an SUV is possible, but we wouldn't use the name Espada or LM002," Winkelmann added. "I want Lamborghini on the edge. Our brand values are uncompromising, extreme and Italian. And I want our product to match the brand. Lamborghinis must be lower, wider and more sharply styled than our rivals." The most likely all-new Lamborghini looks to be an SUV that would share a platform with Audi's upcoming Q5 crossover. Of course it will be lower, wider and more sharply styled compared to the Audi. But in the meantime, look for LP640 roadsters and possibly rwd Gallardo and Murci variants showing up in spy shots in the coming months.

Bullish tip, Jay!

[Source: Car Magazine via Jalopnik]