Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann revealed to Autocar last week that plans for a third model in its range, a four-door saloon previewed by the Estoque concept, were moving forward.
Here, he speaks to Autocar about the firms recent successes, how it will expand going forward, where the firm sits within the ever-expanding Volkswagen Group - and more on the Estoque itself.
Lamborghini has made it through the global recession largely thanks to growth in new markets like Russia and China. What have you noticed about buyers in these new regions?The trends there are much faster, for starters. Things that can take five years to happen elsewhere can happen in new markets in 18 months. And we’re also getting second-generation buyers there, too; these are the children of people who made money in the late ’90s, and now they want our cars.
The idea of a third car appears to be under consideration again. Is that for the new markets and if it is, would that influence what type of car it becomes?Whatever that car would be, it would still need to have the core values of Lamborghini. Other car companies have to adjust their products for these new markets but luxury brands are the opposite. The customer wants the original.
Read the full story on the Estoque's production chances
Would you be able to have a bespoke platform for a new four-door car like the Estoque?We couldn’t approach a thought like this if we were outside the VW Group. It’d be very difficult to do something. The investments are so high that if you don’t have synergies, it’s financially impossible.
So you admit you will share components with other VW Group brands — Bentley or Audi, for example?Well, it’s useless to try to defend what is indefensible. But the touch, feel and sound would all have to be consistent with Lamborghini.
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So this is an enlarged over
Re: Lambo boss on firm's future
Re: Lambo boss on firm's future
Financially it would make sense for Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche and Possibly Bugatti to share technology, engines and or platforms, however IMO if this technology was then filtered off into Audi, VW or Skoda it could dilute the exclusivity and take a shine off the brands as a whole.