Lamborghini Green. It just sounds silly, especially when you see their current ratings for emissions and fuel economy, but we're not just pipe dreaming (or pump dreaming, as a better analogy). This week Lamborghini -- hot on the heels of announcements from Tesla Motors to open global dealerships to help market the American green tech company in major metropolitan areas worldwide more easily by the Summer of 2009 and Ferrari's F1 car fast response of a hybrid car by or before 2015 -- has finally made strides to improve their image internationally. Yes, it's true. Lamborghini is pursuing hybrid technology and hopes to have a model in production by or before -- you guessed it, 2015.
THE YEAR OF THE HYBRID EXOTIC SUPERCAR SET TO BE 2015
Why the seemingly arbitrary deadline? That's is an easy question to answer. Because it's not 2016. You see, American President Barak Obama has made an international press announcement regarding CAFE legislation that will mandate not only reduced toxic emissions from all new vehicles in the U.S.A., but also mandate that new production models be able to operate with a minimum of 35.5 MPG fuel efficiency by or before 2016.
With over half of the exotic and high line luxury cars produced in the world coming to homes in the Unites States, it's no wonder car companies like Lamborghini and Fiat Group competitor Ferrari are considering Green technology. Add to the mix a couple of very important factors like the American car company Tesla Motors succeeding with the 500th sale of their own hybrid exotic sport scar, their sedan Model S getting ready to come out in a price range families with upper middle class to lower upper class strata socio-economic status can purchase, and their announcement to open dealerships in key marketing locations placed from hither to yon, and the big name supercar companies have reason to worry -- especially after 2015.
In addition, following the news from the racing circuit, changed in Formula One technology that includes (allows) KERS and other hybrid modifications by 2010 gives automakers a chance to test tech in real track settings. Though Lamborghini does not currently compete in F1 racing, you can bet they are watching. Whether they root for teams from Ferrari or other competitors like McClaren-Mercedes, Brawn-Mercedes, RBR-Renault, or BMW Sauber to beat Ferrari is unknown, but technology on the track is still worth a study empirically no matter who sponsors the team or where you place you race fan loyalty.
CURRENT TECHNOLOGY STATS
So here's the deal. I'll admit it -- Lamborghini makes my favorite list for vehicles to drive every time. Getting behind the wheel of one of their cars brings about this blissful pop of speeding adrenaline even sex, coffee, or chocolate cannot recreate to date. And, to be fair to the company, although they currently make a wide assortment of the worlds least eco-friendly automobiles, they have been making minor tweaks as token gestures of good will toward the planet (even though the press has not covered the improvements with much seriousness to date).
What's new at Lamborghini lately with regard to becoming more green tech friendly? These are the news bites stats exotic car lovers ought to know to establish a baseline rubric measure of the companies current tech stats while we head forward to the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 greener automobiles we'll start to expect by 2015 to beat the 2016 CAFE car legislative changes sure to be placed in full force by the Democratic Congress and Obama Administration:Lamborghini has already put some improvements in place in its new Gallardo LP560-4 sports car, which has been tweaked to get 17 miles per gallon, up from 14 mpg in previous versions.That seems like a small feat, until you consider that the U.S. Department of Energy's FuelEconomy.gov website ranks Lamborghini as having the least fuel-efficient vehicles in the two-seater category:The Murcielago and Murcielago Roadster get a Hummer H2-level 8 miles per gallon in the city and 13 mpg on highways.The LP560-4 replaces the discontinued Superleggera model, which was essentially a stripped down lighter weight version of the Gallardo that cost buyer more money to have less features (including minimizing creature comforts for both passenger and driver). The model, though hot [HOT], just never had enough "it" to leapfrog it to the top exotic car spot. In retrospect, naming the model a Gallardo track sport might have garnered more respect from the auto world buy being calling the kettle as it was, black.LP stands for Longitudinale Posteriore, the position of the engine - longitudinally mid-mounted. 560 is its metric horsepower count, and Lamborghini chose to insert the "-4" as a reminder that the Gallardo is a full-time four-wheel-drive machine. This car is, in fact, the quintessential anti-hybrid -- and, like the Ani DiFranco song says, we'll take it and continue to love it "As Is". The relatively more fuel-efficient Gallardo LP560-4 steals my heart and grabs drivers and passengers by the seat of the pants, offering a unique driving experience even the Gallardo, Muira, Countach, Diablo, and Murci can't deliver. Between it's new trust launch mode, the newly redesigned E-gear shifting 40% quicker that it's Gallardo predecessor, and the fact that the LP560-4 will reach 202 mph, it is a machine designed in it's form, function, and essence to inspire heavy breathing. Click the play button below to learn more about launching this car rocket as it accelerates to 170 MPH (not even the top gear high speed for the vehicle).
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