Lamborghini Damps Fake Engine Noise Expectations for Upcoming EV
Lamborghini’s first all-electric vehicle is on the horizon, and while the brand is drawing inspiration from competitor Hyundai, it won’t be mimicking one of the Korean carmaker’s more striking features: fake engine noises.
Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Lamborghini, confirmed the company is looking at the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N for its EV development—but expressed reservations about the synthesized engine sounds.
“Personally – this is not something which has to be true for the future – I tend to disagree on having fake combustion [petrol] engine sounds on electric cars,” Winkelmann told Drive. “Even if they might – and I have driven the cars you’re talking about – even if they have some good feedback to the driver.
For me, it’s important beside the sound that you get the feeling of driving a Lamborghini … so how the car is reacting, how it gets into the corner, how it’s braking, how it gets out, so the handling behaviour.”
The Ioniq 5 N offers drivers three synthesized driving sounds, including an “Ignition” option designed to mimic a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. This is paired with a simulated eight-speed transmission with shift paddles.
Winkelmann stated Lamborghini has “four to five years” to determine the sound strategy for its EV, which is based on the Lanzador concept and is due to arrive in 2029 or 2030. He mentioned the focus is on a taller ‘Gran Turismo’ cruiser, distinct from the company’s low-slung supercars, and that it will be the company’s most powerful car to date.
This points to a different approach for the electric vehicle’s development.
“The battery-electric vehicles have a higher weight than ICE [petrol] engined cars, and this is something we have to offset, so more power for sure. We are speaking of at least one megawatt [1000kW], when we speak about the first full electric Lamborghini. This is important to underline,” Winkelmann added.
Winkelmann emphasized the importance of the driving experience and the feedback the car gives the driver. He noted that while the acceleration of BEVs already surpasses that of hybrids, the main focus is not just on speed. The goal is to retain the driving feel that is quintessential to the Lamborghini brand.
“What is needed is that you have feedback when you sit in the car, and when you have your hands on the steering wheel, that is the same one you have in the internal combustion-engined cars.”
