Lamborghini plans to make extensive use of carbonfibre to reduce the weight of all its future models as part of its shift away from making cars with ever-increasing top speeds.
Lamborghini president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann believes a reduction in weight of its models will allow the firm to further improve handling and acceleration, as well as increasing power-to-weight ratios.
See the teaser pics of the new Lamborghini concept - plus spy pics of the new Murciélago
His comments were made in an official statement – titled Lamborghini’s manifesto for future super sports cars – released alongside the second teaser image of its new Paris concept car, which Autocar understands will preview the all-new Murciélago.
The concept car will make extensive use of carbonfibre, something Winkelmann said every new Lamborghini would feature. This material is shown prominently in both of the teaser pics released so far ahead of the concept’s debut at Paris on 30 September.
Read more on Lamborghini's Paris show concept
Winkelmann said that since the mid-1980s, the average Lamborghini’s weight had increased by around 500kg due to “active and passive safety, comfort and emissions reduction issues”.
“This is something we have to change,” he said. “Since we cannot reduce safety or comfort, we have to reduce the weight by using new materials.
“Speed is not as important anymore, because all super sports cars are exceeding 300km/h (186mph) and this is a speed you cannot reach even on a racetrack, let alone normal roads.
“We think it is time to make a shift and talk more about handling and acceleration.”
Read more on the new Lamborghini Murciélago
See all the latest Lamborghini Murciélago reviews, news and video
Join the debate
Add your comment
Re: Lambo's new supercar manifesto
Thing is, Winkelmann's actually telling us how they're planning on implementing weight loss: carbon fibre. The existing cars use aluminium and steel construction - the Murcielago only uses CF in the bodyshell (which is offset by the archaic steel chassis), and the Gallardo uses none at all (other than optional interior trim). So they're likely to shed quite a bit with composite construction.
Re: Lambo's new supercar manifesto
Weight reduction is always wellcome. It can increase perfomances and fuel economy but today it's the most expensive way to acheive it in automotive industry. Think about the 458 Italia, the first rumors were talking about a car 100 kg lighter than the Scuderia, in fact the 458 is over 100 kg heavier...a more real statement would be like this: we will try keep same weight adding power, new electronic system, double cluth boxes, etc.
Re: Lambo's new supercar manifesto