Mr Ortenzi, can you tell us about your own journey in Lamborghini?
I joined the company in 2004 and started as a L&D controller. In 2012, I moved up and became the Head of Business Analysis & Control in the finance department. Later in 2015, I became Chief Project Management Officer; one of my projects included the development of the Urus. Since June 2018, I am Chief Executive Officer of Asia Pacific region, taking care of the Asia countries and Oceania.
The world over, who is a typical Lamborghini aficionado?
Our brand lovers are the ones looking at us as an aspirational brand. In India, we are witnessing some exciting trends in the last few years and this gives us confidence about our growth. Today we see demand from tier 1 and 2 cities and they are contributing to almost 25% of our volumes. Also, we are seeing more and more first generation business entrepreneurs buying our cars and also we have women buying sports cars, and with Urus we are going to grow our share of women buyers in our portfolio.
The Huracan EVO – the shape has not changed much from its predecessors but it’s power packed – can you tell us about what this car represents?
Huracán EVO represents the natural evolution of the most successful V10 in Lamborghini history. It is the result of fine-tuning of the already existing features and performance of Huracán, combined with the development of new solutions in terms of efficiency and design. It stands out for its ability to anticipate the moves and satisfy the desires of the driver, in harmony with the Lamborghini DNA.
Is it the most powerful V10 yet?
Yes, the Huracan EVO outputs 640 hp (470 kW) at 8,000 rpm with 600 Nm of torque delivered at 6,500 rpm. With a dry weight of 1,422 kg the Huracan EVO reaches a weight-to-power ratio of 2.22 kg/hp, accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and from 0-200 km/h in 9.0 seconds. Braking from 100 km/h to 0 is achieved in just 31.9 m, with a top speed of more than 325 km/h.
How are you phasing your India launches – from the SUV to this Evo? What is your strategy behind the India launches?
India is one of the strategic markets for Lamborghini in terms of future growth in volumes. We are extremely optimistic about our scope in India. Automobili Lamborghini emerged as market leaders in the super luxury segment in 2018-2019 and we expect our volumes to grow focusing on the Super SUV and leveraging on the super sport car models. We see India as a potential market to break-into top 15 markets for us in the next five years.
In December 2017 we launched the World’s first SUV, Urus and India was one of the first few markets in the world to launch Urus in January last year.
2018 was the launch of Aventador SVJ and continues to be trendsetters with the Huracán EVO today which represents the natural evolution of the most successful V10 in Lamborghini history.
Now we are leading the super luxury segment and we are positive by the end of the year , the next one in the segment will be a distant second. Separately, we believe the High Networth Individuals will continue to buy supercars because this is a very niche group that is still inclined to make purchases that differentiates them; purchases which are an extension of their personality. We expect the segment to grow at double digit in coming years.
Some may argue that Indian roads are not that smooth for Lamborghini – what do you say to the Indian Lamborghini drivers?
There are many challenges in the Indian market but there are also opportunities. We have challenges in terms of infrastructure and traffic conditions in India but we are seeing a lot of progress here, also with the launch of Urus we have been able to address this to a certain extent. It’s an everyday use car and it has opened a new set of customers for us. However, despite all these challenges, as a brand we have been growing steadily and leading the super luxury segment in India.
What is it that makes a Lamborghini design so unmistakable?
The design of the Huracán EVO does not present a radical change in the original iconic shape and proportions, rather it represents a natural evolution that introduces sophisticated aerodynamic solutions, while remaining faithful to the iconic Lamborghini design. The front bumper adopts unmistakable Lamborghini design cues such as signature Y-shape stylistic elements, bonnet lines inspired by the Countach, skirt air ducts reminiscent of the Murciélago, and high-mounted exhaust tailpipes that recall the highest performing models of the Lamborghini range. The model also introduces the new 20” Aesir rims and debuts Ad Personam colours for the car body, including Arancio Xanto [Orange].
The interior perfectly mirrors the evolutionary design of the Huracán EVO. The cockpit features a cutting-edge 8.4” touchscreen system built into the central tunnel, which makes it possible to control the car and entertainment functions with a tap of your fingertips. The exclusive interior finishes, stemming from authentic Italian design, are made with the finest-quality materials: the upholstery is available in leather, Alcantara and—for the first time—Carbon Skin®, an innovative carbon fiber material exclusively available with Lamborghini. All these details make the on-board experience even more unique and refined
Where is Lamborghini made today?
Automobili Lamborghini is an Italian brand and manufacturer of luxury sports cars and SUVs based in Sant'Agata Bolognese and tractors Lamborghini Trattori in Pieve di Cento, Italy. The company is owned by the Volkswagen Group through its subsidiary Audi.
FUTURE PERFECT
Fresh from the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Automobili Lamborghini has unveiled the Lamborghini Sian, a limited edition, hybrid super sports car that represents the future, with a visionary design and an iconic hybrid V12 engine. “The Sián is a masterpiece in possibilities,” says Stefano Domenicali, Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Not only does the Sián deliver a formidable hyper-car design and engineering tour de force today, it augments the potential for Lamborghini as a super sports car brand for tomorrow and for decades to come, even as hybridization becomes more desirable and inevitably essential. The Lamborghini Sián represents the first step in Lamborghini’s route to electrification, and expedites our next-generation V12 engine. Its Sián moniker, meaning ‘flash or lightning’ in Bolognese dialect, denotes the first electrification of a Lamborghini production car and confirms our strong connection to the territory in which we operate. With the Sián, Automobili Lamborghini demonstrates its dynastic strength as a legendary super sports car brand for the future.”
*The interview was taken in mid-2019
