Lamborghini readies Ferrari F12 rival as reported by Autocar

Our friends over at AUTOCAR magazine have posted this online today, feel free to click on any AUTOCAR name to go to the post.

Lamborghini looks set to steal the Geneva motor show headlines with a front-engined V12 GT that’s designed to rival the Ferrari F12.

Company chairman Stephan Winkelmann has told Autocar that Lamborghini will reveal “something truly extraordinary that’s based on the V12" at Geneva next month. The concept will form part of the company’s ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations.

According to Winkelmann, the car will have two doors, two seats and a V12 engine — but its underpinnings will not be based on those of the Aventador. This means that it will be a front/mid-engined car, just like the Ferrari F12, but featuring Lamborghini’s staple of four-wheel drive and forged carbon construction.

Autocar understands that the new Lambo will be a concept for future consideration, not a model that is confirmed for production.

Winkelmann has admitted that his main focus right now is persuading the board of the Volkswagen Group, which owns Lamborghini, to green-light the Urus SUV. “Everyone at Lamborghini wants this car to happen,” he told Autocar. “But now the decision is largely out of our hands.

“We would need to sell between 3000 and 4000 examples a year for the Urus to justify its financial investment, and I'm confident that we could do that. It’s a decision they [the VW board] will, I hope, make very soon.”

If given the go-ahead by VW, the Urus will sell for “approximately the same amount as a Gallardo” so expect £140k-£160k.

Although Winkelmann told Autocar that naturally aspirated engines remain key to Lamborghini when it comes to sports and supersports cars (like the Aventador and next-generation Gallardo, due in 2014), the situation would be different with an SUV. “In a car like that, a hybrid turbo would make more sense,” he said. 

It remains to be seen if the Volkswagen Group will allow Lamborghini to bolster its 50th anniversary celebrations at Geneva by announcing that a new third model will indeed be added to the range.

 Steve Sutcliffe