A few years back, as emissions regulations tightened and electric cars began their surge, it looked like pure EVs were the only logical next step for performance brands. Yet, Lamborghini took a different route, opting to hybridize its entire range. Five years on, the Italian marque's decision seems almost clairvoyant. EV sales are stalling, and governments are starting to soften their once-aggressive mandates for electric vehicles. Meanwhile, demand for loud, high-revving, gas-guzzling supercars is stronger than ever. In this climate, Lamborghini’s move to keep the combustion engine alive alongside hybrid tech has been a stroke of genius.

Mohr, speaking at the Nardò Technical Center during the launch of the Urus SE, was clear on the matter: "At the moment, now, the time would not be right [for an EV], at least not in a super sports car." He cited the failure of numerous electric cars that failed to capture the public’s imagination, proving that, for Lamborghini, the electric future still needs some finesse.

What Lamborghini has done is secure a winning strategy for now. The brand’s lineup is fully hybridized the V12-powered Revuelto, the twin-turbocharged Temerario, and the Urus SUV all incorporate electric assistance, giving them an edge over rivals who’ve been slower to adapt. Lamborghini is in a sweet spot, with hybrid technology offering a perfect bridge to future electrification. Mohr is confident: "I'm super happy with our current lineup, because with a hybridized lineup, we can live for the next decade."

That said, Mohr knows Lamborghini can’t avoid the inevitable. The electrification wave is coming, and Lamborghini plans to ride it with the launch of its first all-electric model in 2028. This won’t be a full-blown supercar but rather a 2+2 grand tourer, previewed by last year's Lanzador concept. It’s a clever move a tourer with a more laid-back personality will give Lamborghini room to experiment with the nuances of EV technology without having to face the razor-sharp expectations placed on a purebred supercar.

What sets Lamborghini apart, however, is the challenge of maintaining its unmistakable brand DNA. "It’s about the clearness of the product, definition, staying on your brand DNA," Mohr says. For Lamborghini, it’s not just about slapping together a megawatt electric powertrain and calling it a day. No, that would be too easy. "It’s clear that a full electric car from Lamborghini has to have this kind of excitement factor. It’s not only about maximum power, maximum acceleration. These are commodities."

And that’s the real task how does Lamborghini make an EV feel as visceral and thrilling as its gas-powered icons? The Lanzador will have to deliver more than just instant torque and blistering straight-line speed. It needs soul. "The first electric Lamborghini should have the same kind of roughness, a kind of excitement," says Mohr. There’s a lot riding on getting this right. Lamborghini can’t afford to produce another generic electric car. As Mohr puts it, "We are not thinking to bring another standard electric car, one megawatt of power. It’s not like this. You need a differentiation."

One brand that’s caught attention in the EV world is Hyundai with its Ioniq 5 N, thanks in part to its simulated paddle-shifted transmission a techie trick that attempts to mimic the engagement of a traditional gearbox. While Mohr respects the innovation, he doesn’t think it’s the right fit for Lamborghini. "For me, it’s the right way to speak about emotional connection in an electric car," he admits, "but if you ask me if [the simulated gears] are fitting to the Lamborghini brand, not so much."

Lamborghini has a different challenge ahead. Mohr believes that while imitating a combustion engine might be a temporary solution, it’s not enough in the long run. The true test will be convincing customers that the electric driving experience can offer something combustion engines never could. Only then will Lamborghini fans buy into the electric era. 

With the countdown to Lamborghini’s first EV already ticking, the brand has just four years to figure out that special ingredient. Whatever the result, it’s going to be fascinating to watch Lamborghini attempt to electrify its famously thunderous heart.