Lamborghini confirms electric GT for 2028, Urus EV in 2029

The GT will be a 2+2-seater, high-riding model, while the SUV will be an electric successor of the Urus.

Published On Aug 04, 2023 08:00:00 AM

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Lamborghini has confirmed that its first ever electric car will debut globally in 2028, shortly after it announced that the Revuelto hybrid supercar is sold out till 2026. Its first EV will be a 2+2-seater grand tourer – making it more practical than its current crop of supercars – and it is expected to share its underpinnings with other brands from the Volkswagen Group.

Lamborghini EV to have a high-riding stance
Will debut after Urus facelift and Huracan plug-in hybrid
Will get styling inspired by the Estoque concept

Lamborghini’s first EV to debut in 2028

The electric GT is expected to draw inspiration from Lamborghini's Estoque concept, which, though revealed in 2008, never made it to production. Instead, the brand focused on developing its SUV, the Urus, which turned out to be a smash hit for the Italian manufacturer. A heavily updated Urus will go on sale sometime in 2024, which is also when it will get a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Coming back to Lamborghini’s first EV, what we know so far is that this GT will have a high ground clearance than the current supercars in the company’s line-up as a result of its floor-mounted battery pack, albeit less than the Urus SUV. CEO Stephan Winkelmann has said that it will be more practical and useable than the Huracan or Revuelto, but it won't be a crossover. It will also have more radical styling to highlight the difference in powertrain from other Lamborghinis.

It’s too early to talk about technical details, but Lamborghini has previously hinted that it will likely use the Bentley/Audi-developed Artemis platform, just as the Urus is mechanically related to the likes of Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne and the Audi Q8. The electric GT will also add a fourth model-line to the brand's portfolio.

Lamborghini electric GT to be followed by Urus EV

Following the electric GT, Lamborghini plans to launch the Urus' electric successor in 2029, exactly a year after the four-seater GT goes on sale. Lamborghini's EV strategy is to launch the GT first, followed by the Urus EV, to attract family-oriented customers who have been more open to adopting EVs off late.

Lamborghini Huracan, Revuelto could continue with petrol powertrains till 2035

Intriguingly, the launch of the electric duo also raises the possibility of the firm's sportscars continuing with a petrol engine, with the help of a plug-in hybrid system for at least two more generations. The first hybrid would launch next year, with the second one following at the turn of the decade.

This means they could be on sale until at least 2035, when most regions are expected to legislate full electrification for new cars. The continuation of sportscars as combustion-engined models is a potential consequence of the new EVs dramatically reducing Lamborghini’s fleet-average CO2 emissions. Moreover, the fact that it remains a relatively low-volume manufacturer, despite setting a new production record of 8,405 units last year, means it could be subject to different emissions regulations than mainstream carmakers.

Speaking to our sister publication Autocar UK, Winkelmann said, “The first step is to launch two fully electric cars by 2030. As a result of that, we have some time to decide whether we can stay with the internal combustion engines or if we have to go fully electric. The pressure to decide the final details isn’t here yet. If the European Union decides on a ban that will influence us, of course. But there are also markets other than Europe that we must consider, as well as regulations that we are still waiting for clarity on, for where we go next.”

Winkelmann also pointed to ongoing talks about the use of synthetic fuels as another avenue that could potentially help the Sant’Agata firm meet emissions targets, while still building small volumes of hybridised ICE cars, although legislators are currently debating the viability of this.

Also See:

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