Lamborghini is having difficulties with designing its next flagship supercar that would replace the Aventador. Apparently, the Italian luxury carmaker could not reach an agreement with the Volkswagen Group on a number of points, threatening to shift the release timeframe from 2020 all the way back to 2024.
The main disagreement arises from VW refusing to invest resources into adapting the Italy-designed V12 engine to the strict environmental standards of today. Instead, the alliance suggests replacing it with a new, V8-based hybrid powertrain. Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali vocally opposes this, stating that the naturally-aspirated twelve-cylinder unit carries a high prestige value for the company’s clientele. He says he may consider including it into an electrified powertrain of sorts – but not swapping it out for a V8.
If the parties fail to reach a compromise in their negotiations and Lambo’s new flagship coupe gets delayed until 2024, the current-gen Aventador will likely face the need for an eventual second facelift.