Lamborghini commits to combustion power 'as long as possible'
Lamborghini will use petrol engines for as long as it can as part of its unique selling point in delivering an emotive driving experience, according to its technical boss.
While Ferrari is preparing to unveil its first electric vehicle (EV) in October 2025, Lamborghini won't have an EV of its own until the arrival of a four-seat showroom version of the Lanzador concept – which has been delayed to 2030.
Even then, Lamborghini is not planning to ditch combustion power for an electric-only future, even if it's seemingly inevitable.
Speaking to media including CarExpert, the Lamborghini's chief technical officer, Rouven Mohr, said the company's cars are not about raw numbers, but instead an emotional experience – and that's why petrol power will remain.
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Pictured: Lamborghini Temerario
'If you speak about the future of combustion for sure, for us, we are aiming to continue as long as possible,' Mr Mohr said.
'This is clear not because – you know, sometimes some colleagues say, 'ah, it's not so much about the old world' – [but because] we still think that we have a lot of ideas to transport, let me say, the combustion future.'
Mohr was speaking during a technical briefing on the 2026 Lamborghini Temerario, which is powered by hybrid powertrain which teams a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine with three axial-flux electric motors.
The Temerario follows the Lamborghini Revuelto V12 supercar in going hybrid.
The Temerario's 588kW/630Nm V8 engine spins to an emphatic 10,000rpm, significantly higher than the V10 engine in the car it replaces, the Lamborghini Huracan.
The Huracan – along with its Audi R8 twin which has since been dropped – used a naturally-aspirated 470kW/565Nm 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine with a rev limit of 8800rpm in its most potent spec.
The Temerario's hybrid system makes a total of 677kW between the petrol engine and its electric motors, channelled through in-house developed eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive.
Performance claims include a 2.7-second 0-100km/h dash, a 343km/h top speed and the ability to pull up from 100km/h to zero in only 32 metres (0.5m more than the Huracan) thanks to its carbon-ceramic brakes.
It's faster and lighter than its predecessor despite the hybrid system, with the Temerario's 1690kg dry weight, undercutting the Huracan Tecnica's 1379kg.
An electric version would likely be heavier – but faster accelerating again.
Yet, Mohr said internal combustion was part of the theatre of the Lamborghini brand, especially against a new wave of conventional electric passenger cars with supercar-like acceleration figures.
'For sure, we have to differentiate if you speak about automobiles in general,' Mohr added. 'I'm speaking [more] about the emotional perception in our segment.
'In our segment, we are even, we are the pinnacle of the emotions. The other brands that say they want to be the pinnacle in the lap time, they want to be the pinnacle in motorsport and brand heritage.
'We are the pinnacle in emotion – that's what we're aiming to be. You know, therefore for us, it's fundamental that we try to continue [internal combustion power].'
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That was the base of how we made our decision in those times, and that has not changed now, and will not change for the future." Toyoda-san is referring to the widespread rollout of hybrid vehicles, which dominate the Japanese brand's current model range. Toyota is credited with creating the first mass-produced hybrid car in the late 1990s, and has continued to develop the technology to the market-leading status it holds today. The company's passenger car lineup is now dominated by hybrids, evidenced by the Japanese brand's Australian axing of all petrol versions of cars that offer hybrid options in 2024. Hybrids continue to play a significant role in Toyota's global efforts too, not least in its home country. Toyoda-san claims that over the past five years, the focus on hybrids played a larger role in reducing Japanese CO2 emissions than EVs. Above: Toyota Hybrid range "If you can check the data for each country about the CO2 emission situation for the past five years, it's going to be very clear," Toyoda-san said. "For Japan, we had this weapon of hybrid vehicles, so with the hybrid vehicles, we were able to reduce 23 per cent of CO2 emissions in the same [time], and it was the only country that was able to achieve that." Toyoda-san added that his company has produced and delivered upwards of 27 million hybrids to date, and claimed that figure was "equivalent to nine million BEVs in terms of the contribution to carbon neutrality". "The hybrids that we made and sold had the same impact as nine million BEVs on the road, but if we were to make nine million BEVs in [Japan] it would have actually increased the CO2 emissions, not reduced, because we are relying on thermal powerplants." 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"That will be similar to thinking as a person of the planet, not just from one perspective, but thinking about the whole planet, and then we can think about the various options and take the movements to reduce CO2 as much as possible. "I believe if everyone can support this way of thinking, it will be for the benefit of all the stakeholders too." MORE: Toyota RAV4, Corolla, Camry, Corolla Cross, Kluger go hybrid-only in AustraliaMORE: 2026 Toyota RAV4 gets fresh design, tech plus PHEV power for AustraliaMORE: Toyota, Mazda and Subaru commit to petrol power with new enginesMORE: Everything Toyota Content originally sourced from: Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda has reinforced his company's commitment to prioritising hybrid vehicles (HEVs) over battery-electric vehicles (EVs or BEVs), outlining that hybrids are its ideal way forward in terms of reducing total CO2 emissions. Speaking through an interpreter in a recent interview with Automotive News, Toyoda-san said Toyota is as committed to reducing the environmental impact of cars as any other brand, but has adopted a cost- and time-effective way to go about reducing its carbon emissions. "When the term 'carbon neutrality' started to become popular and we started to hear about it, we set our target as a company saying that for us, the enemy is carbon," he said. "The way that we thought about it was that we're not going to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality just by building BEVs, but we have to focus on things that we can do now so that, immediately, we can reduce CO2 from the air. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "We looked at ourselves [and asked] 'what can we do with the things that we have to contribute to carbon neutrality?' That was the base of how we made our decision in those times, and that has not changed now, and will not change for the future." Toyoda-san is referring to the widespread rollout of hybrid vehicles, which dominate the Japanese brand's current model range. Toyota is credited with creating the first mass-produced hybrid car in the late 1990s, and has continued to develop the technology to the market-leading status it holds today. The company's passenger car lineup is now dominated by hybrids, evidenced by the Japanese brand's Australian axing of all petrol versions of cars that offer hybrid options in 2024. Hybrids continue to play a significant role in Toyota's global efforts too, not least in its home country. Toyoda-san claims that over the past five years, the focus on hybrids played a larger role in reducing Japanese CO2 emissions than EVs. Above: Toyota Hybrid range "If you can check the data for each country about the CO2 emission situation for the past five years, it's going to be very clear," Toyoda-san said. "For Japan, we had this weapon of hybrid vehicles, so with the hybrid vehicles, we were able to reduce 23 per cent of CO2 emissions in the same [time], and it was the only country that was able to achieve that." Toyoda-san added that his company has produced and delivered upwards of 27 million hybrids to date, and claimed that figure was "equivalent to nine million BEVs in terms of the contribution to carbon neutrality". "The hybrids that we made and sold had the same impact as nine million BEVs on the road, but if we were to make nine million BEVs in [Japan] it would have actually increased the CO2 emissions, not reduced, because we are relying on thermal powerplants." Despite that, Toyoda-san reaffirmed that HEVs aren't the only way forward, pointing to Toyota's continued development of internal combustion petrol and diesel engines (ICEs), as well as EVs, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Toyota recently revealed the next-generation RAV4 mid-size SUV (above), which will be the brand's first PHEV in Australia. The Mirai FCEV is currently being used by corporate fleets and government partners locally via very limited leases, too. The Japanese auto giant is also part of an alliance with Subaru and Mazda to develop lower-emission ICEs into the future. "I think we shouldn't just focus on [BEV] … but we should look at all the options that we have and work in all directions," Toyoda-san said. "That will be similar to thinking as a person of the planet, not just from one perspective, but thinking about the whole planet, and then we can think about the various options and take the movements to reduce CO2 as much as possible. "I believe if everyone can support this way of thinking, it will be for the benefit of all the stakeholders too." MORE: Toyota RAV4, Corolla, Camry, Corolla Cross, Kluger go hybrid-only in AustraliaMORE: 2026 Toyota RAV4 gets fresh design, tech plus PHEV power for AustraliaMORE: Toyota, Mazda and Subaru commit to petrol power with new enginesMORE: Everything Toyota Content originally sourced from:
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Williams' Alex Albon was second and fourth in the sessions, but strangely missed his garage when pitting in the second and had to go around again, with teammate Carlos Sainz third and seventh. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso ended the day fifth. Leclerc brought out the red flags when he hit the wall at the second chicane with 45 minutes remaining, causing extensive damage to his Ferrari. Ferrari said the survival cell needed to be replaced. George Russell set the pace for Mercedes in the second Canadian Grand Prix practice after Red Bull's Formula One champion Max Verstappen led the opening session at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sat out the later session after crashing in the first, leaving mechanics plenty of work to repair the car. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, who missed the previous race in Spain due to hand and wrist pain, crashed at turn seven in second practice for his home grand prix and smashed the front left suspension. Russell's time of one minute 12.123 seconds compared to Verstappen's earlier afternoon effort of 1:13.193. The pair qualified on the front row last year with identical times, with Russell on pole but Verstappen going on to win the race for a third year in a row. They also clashed in Spain two weekends ago, with Verstappen left on the brink of a ban after driving into the Mercedes. The Dutch driver was only ninth in Friday's second practice, behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, with McLaren's Lando Norris the closest to Russell and only 0.028 slower. "The car is jumping like crazy in the rear, like the ride is terrible," reported Verstappen over the radio. Mercedes' strong form was emphasised by Russell's rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli setting the third best time, 0.288 off the pace. Runaway championship leaders McLaren had made a comparatively slow start to the weekend until Norris's lap, with Australian Oscar Piastri seventh and sixth and testing upgrades including a new front wing. Piastri, who leads Norris by 10 points after nine of the season's 24 rounds, received a 100 euros ($A178) fine for speeding in the pitlane in the first practice as the team tested upgrades including a new front wing. Williams' Alex Albon was second and fourth in the sessions, but strangely missed his garage when pitting in the second and had to go around again, with teammate Carlos Sainz third and seventh. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso ended the day fifth. Leclerc brought out the red flags when he hit the wall at the second chicane with 45 minutes remaining, causing extensive damage to his Ferrari. Ferrari said the survival cell needed to be replaced. George Russell set the pace for Mercedes in the second Canadian Grand Prix practice after Red Bull's Formula One champion Max Verstappen led the opening session at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sat out the later session after crashing in the first, leaving mechanics plenty of work to repair the car. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, who missed the previous race in Spain due to hand and wrist pain, crashed at turn seven in second practice for his home grand prix and smashed the front left suspension. Russell's time of one minute 12.123 seconds compared to Verstappen's earlier afternoon effort of 1:13.193. The pair qualified on the front row last year with identical times, with Russell on pole but Verstappen going on to win the race for a third year in a row. They also clashed in Spain two weekends ago, with Verstappen left on the brink of a ban after driving into the Mercedes. The Dutch driver was only ninth in Friday's second practice, behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, with McLaren's Lando Norris the closest to Russell and only 0.028 slower. "The car is jumping like crazy in the rear, like the ride is terrible," reported Verstappen over the radio. Mercedes' strong form was emphasised by Russell's rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli setting the third best time, 0.288 off the pace. Runaway championship leaders McLaren had made a comparatively slow start to the weekend until Norris's lap, with Australian Oscar Piastri seventh and sixth and testing upgrades including a new front wing. Piastri, who leads Norris by 10 points after nine of the season's 24 rounds, received a 100 euros ($A178) fine for speeding in the pitlane in the first practice as the team tested upgrades including a new front wing. Williams' Alex Albon was second and fourth in the sessions, but strangely missed his garage when pitting in the second and had to go around again, with teammate Carlos Sainz third and seventh. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso ended the day fifth. Leclerc brought out the red flags when he hit the wall at the second chicane with 45 minutes remaining, causing extensive damage to his Ferrari. Ferrari said the survival cell needed to be replaced. George Russell set the pace for Mercedes in the second Canadian Grand Prix practice after Red Bull's Formula One champion Max Verstappen led the opening session at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sat out the later session after crashing in the first, leaving mechanics plenty of work to repair the car. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, who missed the previous race in Spain due to hand and wrist pain, crashed at turn seven in second practice for his home grand prix and smashed the front left suspension. Russell's time of one minute 12.123 seconds compared to Verstappen's earlier afternoon effort of 1:13.193. The pair qualified on the front row last year with identical times, with Russell on pole but Verstappen going on to win the race for a third year in a row. They also clashed in Spain two weekends ago, with Verstappen left on the brink of a ban after driving into the Mercedes. The Dutch driver was only ninth in Friday's second practice, behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, with McLaren's Lando Norris the closest to Russell and only 0.028 slower. "The car is jumping like crazy in the rear, like the ride is terrible," reported Verstappen over the radio. Mercedes' strong form was emphasised by Russell's rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli setting the third best time, 0.288 off the pace. Runaway championship leaders McLaren had made a comparatively slow start to the weekend until Norris's lap, with Australian Oscar Piastri seventh and sixth and testing upgrades including a new front wing. Piastri, who leads Norris by 10 points after nine of the season's 24 rounds, received a 100 euros ($A178) fine for speeding in the pitlane in the first practice as the team tested upgrades including a new front wing. Williams' Alex Albon was second and fourth in the sessions, but strangely missed his garage when pitting in the second and had to go around again, with teammate Carlos Sainz third and seventh. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso ended the day fifth. Leclerc brought out the red flags when he hit the wall at the second chicane with 45 minutes remaining, causing extensive damage to his Ferrari. Ferrari said the survival cell needed to be replaced.
