Force fed into the future

The next generation of Lamborghini road rockets could use turbocharged or supercharged engines to maintain their supercar edge.

Force-fed powerplants are now clearly on the drawing board as the Italian company searches for the best way to maintain the power-to-weight potential of its Gallardo and flagship Murcielago.

But there is still a conflict in the company.

Lamborghini director of research and development Maurizio Reggiani dead-pans the idea, but chief executive Stephan Winkelmann says it is under investigation.

Reggiani says naturally aspirated engines that fire the right numbers in key speed measurements are core to Lamborghini's composition, and introducing boosted powerplants is in direct conflict with that core DNA.

However, Winkelmann admits turbo or supercharged units are “something we are working on”.

“Mr Reggiani is right, but on the other hand we are working on the future,” Winkelmann admits.

So it is not out of the question for Lamborghini to wedge an awesome V12 turbo-diesel engine into the Gallardo down the track.

“Not only the near future, but the far future and there are no limits in terms of whatever contingencies you might have. It's the same as we have.”

The new Gallardo V10 engine now comes with what the Italians call Iniezione Diretta Stratificata, which in Audi-speak is FSI or direct fuel injection.

It comes as Lamborghini adopts a more responsible role in the world community, saying it is important to reduce noxious exhaust emissions.

The just-launched and heavily revised Gallardo LP560-4 super coupe has made a massive leap in CO2 emissions, even though it has increased engine capacity and output.