Lamborghini has produced several models in recent years that have offered superior performance to their already exotic counterparts and they all had one thing in common – they weighed significantly less. Now Lambo is looking to bring that philosophy to the rest of the company’s lineup,

In an interview with AutoWeek, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann and and top engineer Maurizio Reggiani outlined the company’s new focus on weight savings, commenting that the company already has all the horsepower it needs.

In reference to the new LP670-4 SuperVeloce, a hoped-up version of the LP640 with 30 more horsepower and 220-lbs of weight removed, Reggiani commented that, “No one can really tell 30 horsepower was added, but everyone can feel how much lighter the car is.”

Reggiani outlined a new plan for Lamborghini that will not only focus on weight reduction through the use of light weight components like carbon fiber, but a switch to aluminum chassis components from steel ones. After chasing top speed claims for decades, Lambo will now also look to increase acceleration – something it already does incredibly well at, with models like the LP670 SV clocked at 3.2 seconds to 60 mph.

Lambo engineers are also looking into aerodynamic improvements, as Reggiani points out how at ultra fast speeds a significant amount of power is needed to achieve just a slightly higher speed. That number can more easily be achieved through improved aero, rather than adding an extra 100-hp.

In addition, Lambo engineers are currently looking to create a start-stop system that will help improve fuel economy and reduce emissions significantly, by shutting off the engine when not needed.

We expect to see the first example of Lambo’s new engineering directon in the replacement for the Murciélago, due out in about a year.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Lamborghini will not be building a four-door exotic – at least not any time soon. Maurizio Reggiani, the head of R&D for the Italian exotic car manufacturer told U.K. publication AutoCar that the Estoque project would be shelved.

The controversial sedan was unveiled by Lamborghini at least year’s Paris Auto Show and was scheduled to be an all-wheel drive four-seater along the lines of the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide. Planning was still in the early stages, however, and so pulling the plug on the Estoque isn’t going to cost Lamborghini much.

When the exotic sedan did break cover in Paris there was no word on a powerplant, although Lamborghini did suggest that the engine could be anything from the LP560′s V10, to a turbocharged V8, to even a diesel or hybird powertrain.

This was seen as a progressive move by Lamborghini, by finally showing some interest in alternatives to the internal combustion engine. (We should note, however, that Lambo’s switch to direct injection in the LP560 made for a huge increase in fuel-economy).

With a world economic crisis and wait times for the standard Lambo models getting shorter and shorter, Reggiani commented that now was simply not the right time to launch such an ambitious project. Yup, the recession strikes down another vehicle, although we’re not so sure its a bad thing in this case.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Estoque Concept

[Source: AutoCar]