(REUTERS/Michael Fiala) Stephan Winkelmann with the Lamborghini Huracan.
In the decade since Stephan Winkelmann became president and CEO of Lamborghini, the Italian supercar-maker has grown tremendously while weathering some tough economic times.
During Winkelmann's tenure, Lamborghini launched a new flagship model — the Aventador — as well as a new entry-level car, the Huracán.
And in 2018,the VW Group-owned brand will introduce a new SUV, called the "Urus."
Together with the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce's "Project Cullinan," the Urus will form a new ultra-premium SUV segment.
Recently, Winkelmann sat down with Business Insider at the opening of the company's new New York showroom at Manhattan Motorcars.
Here are three big takeaways from the interview:
On how the Urus will change the Lamborghini
The arrival of the company's third model will mean major changes for the company.
"It's a major step for Lamborghini because we are almost doubling the size of our company," Winkelmann said.
"If you have ten models and you add one, it’s a major effort, but it's not as difficult as what we are doing (with the Urus)."
The addition of an SUV could have the same effect on Lamborghini that it did for Porsche more than a decade ago. So far this year, SUVs represent almost 60% of Porsche's US sales.
Last year, Lamborghini had its best year in company history with 2,530 cars sold worldwide, a 19% increase over 2013.
Although Winkelmann cautioned that the projected increase in scale will take some time for the company to digest, Winkelmann believes this is the right move for Lamborghini.
On the performance of the Urus
"It will the supercar among the SUVs," Winkelmann said.
But it also adds a different dimension to the company's lineup of cars.
"Our supercars are not meant to be used as daily drivers. Even if they are very daily driveable, it’s not their mission. With the Urus, it's a car that can go fast, but it’s not designed with a focus on the top speed or acceleration. It’s a car designed to be comfortable and be a daily driver with a cruising attitude. This will be the key to its success."
(REUTERS/Jason Lee) Lamborghini Urus SUV.
On the difference between Ferrari and Lamborghini
"We are a brand that’s very different from Ferrari," Winkelmann said. "From the beginning we did a GT car, a 2+2 in the Espada and we built the LM002 (a Hummer-like SUV), in the past."
"We are not only a super sports car company and in the last 10 years, we really focused on this."
On why there won't be any electric or hybrid Lamborghinis in the near future
Although the disruption of the auto industry by high-tech newcomers, such as Tesla, has been good, battery-powered cars have a long way to go in terms of range and top speed, the Lamborghini CEO said.
Much of this can be a attributed to the added weight of the cars' heavy battery packs.
(REUTERS/Robert Sullivan) In addition, Winkelmann also pointed out that added weight also compromises the handling dynamics of battery-powered cars.
"You might be able to go fast, but driveability in and out of the corners is not there. The power-to-weight balance is one of the key elements for our cars. It’s enough to go fast. In the past [the order of importance] was top speed, acceleration and handling. Acceleration is still number two. But top speed and handling have changed places."
As a result, Lamborghini do not plan to have an all-electric or hybrid powertrain in any of its supercars. However, future generations of the Urus SUV may get a hybrid system.
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By Benjamin Zhang
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