Italy - Lamborghini plans to release hybrid super cars in the near future, chairman and CEO Stefano Domenicali told AFP on Tuesday.
The Italian supercar manufacturer says the first of its hybrid vehicles will be its new Sports Utility Vehicle, the Urus, unveiled on Monday and dubbed by the brand the world's first super-SUV.
Domenicali said: "Hybridisation is the natural step in the growth of our brand... The Urus, in its second engine, will be hybrid. And the new super sports car projects will be."
Urus in SA?
Hilton Ralph, Regional Manager for Imperial Collection The Signature Brands, principal dealer for Lamborghini in South Africa, says: "Orders will open in February 2018 for the new Lamborghini Urus and the first SA owners will take delivery in August/September 2018."
'Super SUV' for SA: All you need to know about the Lamborghini Urus
The Urus will reach a top speed of 305km/h, can go from zero to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds and brake from 100km/h to 0 in 33.7 metres, company officials said.
"The objective is to maintain a balance between traditional values and the technology of the future," said Domenicali, while acknowledging that electric cars were "a clear trend in the automotive world".
The announcement by Lamborghini comes as automakers rush to add electric vehicles to their offerings and as countries make efforts to curb carbon emissions.
What about entering F1?
Asked about the prospect of the car manufacturer entering Formula 1 - after F1 director Ross Brawn said he would like to get Lamborghini and other manufacturers involved - Domenicali said the answer was "no".
"We have to concentrate on priority investments, so that Lamborghini can grow. We shall watch F1 races on the television!"