Lambos to the slaughter

Supercar firm Lamborghini has sensationally axed plans to add two new models to its supercar line-up.

The news comes as its owner, the VW Group, angrily denied claims it was planning to sell the luxury brand, along with stablemates Bentley and Bugatti. The German giant also poured cold water on claims that it will cease production of its own luxury flagship, the Phaeton, although it is looking into reducing the number of trim levels available with the car.

Lambo bosses had been investigating making an SUV to rival the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and built a concept car, revealed by Auto Express in Issue 894 (below). There were plans, too, for a supersaloon successor to its legendary Espada from the Seventies. However, talking exclusively to Auto Express, company president Stephan Winkelmann said: “I’m a fan of SUVs, but making one isn’t on the radar for this decade. We’re such a small company, we couldn’t do one on our own. Still, it would make more sense for us to do one of those than a four-seater.”

Instead, Lamborghini will concentrate on producing at least one new derivative of its current Murciélago and Gallardo per year. “We will look at lowering weight, and maybe two-wheel drive,” he said. “I believe the future of this firm lies in increasing our cars’ power-to-weight ratio rather than outright strength.