Lambo’s new supercar engine strategy
The warm public reception given to the Vision Maybach Ultimate Luxury concept at the 2018 Beijing motor show has prompted premium manufacturers in Germany and Britain to work on their own variations on the curious ‘sports utility saloon’ theme. First of the luxury four-seaters into production could be JLR’s Road Rover, an idea that’s been mooted on and o for decades. It could be an EV and built on the same Castle Bromwich production line expected to be making the electric XJ replacement from 2021 onwards.
Audi, Bentley and Porsche are all working on similar ideas, as is Daimler, whose o ering – whether it turns out to be a Merc or a Maybach – looks unlikely to be with us before 2027. It could be built on the MMA2 architecture, which can be adapted for plug-in hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell, battery-electric or internal combustion.
Sant’Agata is claiming victory in its prolonged political battle with Ingolstadt and Wolfsburg: 2022’s new Aventador will again have a naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine, not the turbo V8 favoured by Lambo’s German overlords. Expect it to have a compact plug-in hybrid module that could give it a power output in the region of 850bhp – about 120bhp more than the current Aventador S. It’ll gain an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, replacing the seven-speed automated manual.
The Aventador’s smaller sibling will not keep its Audi-derived V10, which is being phased out with the R8. The next Huracan is instead likely to get a V8, not from the Urus, but a new one designed in-house, potentially delaying the new car’s introduction from the original plan of late 2022 to as late as 2025.
Low-volume spin-o s will keep it fresh: the long list includes Supertrofeo, Sterrato crossover, Evo Performante II, single-seat Barchetta, Superveloce Street with a 911 GT3-inspired Touring pack, decontented Superleggera and finally a Jota.