Lamborghini Switches Focus from Horsepower to Losing Weight

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It looks like Lamborghini is satisfied with current horsepower ratings of its supercars and going forward the automaker is going to focus on reducing weight.

“It has come to the point where acceleration equals consumption,” said Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of the Italian automaker. “More consumption means increased CO2 emissions.”

According to Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini’s R&D chief, stated that once a vehicle reaches a top speed of 211 mph there is a declining rate of return for each additional horsepower needed to push the car faster. Additionally there are very few places in the world that a driver would be able to drive a car over 200 mph, so Lamborghini is going to shift its focus to acceleration instead of top speed. The most effective way to improve acceleration is to reduce weight.

“The weight-to-power ratio will be the key factor,” Reggiani said. “We will use composite materials in the right place, when it also has the right cost, stiffness and mechanical characteristics.”

The updated version of the Murcielago LP670-4 SV now has 30 more horsepower for a total of 670, a 0-62 mph time of 3.2 seconds and is 220 pounds lighter.

“No one can really tell 30 horsepower was added, but everyone can feel how much lighter the car is,” Reggiani said.

Full Story: Autoweek