Lamborghini Is Sticking With Gas Engines for The Long Haul

It’s been two years since Lamborghini did the unthinkable: introduced an electric car, albeit only as a concept. A production version of the Lanzador isn’t coming anytime soon, as the model’s launch has already been delayed by a year. The 2+2 grand tourer is now scheduled for 2029. In the meantime, it’s business as usual. In fact, the Italian exotic brand has no plans to retire gas engines anytime soon.

Chief Technical Officer Rouven Mohr told Australian magazine CarExpert that Lamborghini aims to keep internal combustion engines for “as long as possible.” He remains confident that the venerable ICE hasn’t reached its full potential: “We still think that we have a lot of ideas to transport, let me say, the combustion future.”

Whether that future involves synthetic fuels remains unclear. However, the Sant’Agata Bolognese-based automaker has repeatedly said that e-fuels could be the savior of combustion engines. Whatever the case, Mohr explained that Lamborghini’s decision to keep ICE in the long run is rooted in the emotional thrill electric powertrains can’t deliver. It’s that emotional connection that allows Lamborghini to remain “the pinnacle in emotion.”

Even so, Lamborghini has had to make compromises to meet stricter emissions regulations. The new Temerario skips the naturally aspirated V-10 engine of its Gallardo and Huracan predecessors. Instead, it’s powered by a smaller, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 as part of a hybrid powertrain. Similarly, the Revuelto is also electrified, although engineers managed to retain the iconic V-12 engine.

Much like its two supercars, the Urus has also been converted to a hybrid, marking the end of Lamborghini’s ICE-only era. Meanwhile, archrival Ferrari has largely electrified its lineup and will (partially) unveil its first EV this October. The Prancing Horse maintains it will still be a true Ferrari, while Lamborghini insists it needs more time to create an electric car worthy of the Raging Bull badge.

The Lamborghini Urus’ V-8 engine

Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1, Lamborghini

Lamborghini isn’t rushing to add a fourth model to its lineup. The Urus is sold out until 2026 and the Revuelto until 2027. The company had record sales in 2024, with deliveries up 5.7% to 10,687 vehicles. Unsurprisingly, the Urus did the heavy lifting with 5,662 units sold, followed by the Huracan (3,609), the Revuelto (1,406), and the final 10 Aventadors. Side note: Aventador production had to be restarted after several Ultimae models perished on the burned and sunken Felicity Ace cargo ship.

While Lamborghini plans to continue building V-8 and V-12 cars for the foreseeable future, it remains committed to becoming net carbon neutral by 2050. In Europe, however, the company may be forced to abandon ICE sooner if the EU enforces its proposed 2035 ban on new vehicles that produce emissions, and if synthetic fuel production doesn’t scale up in time.