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Lamborghini CEO Dismisses Chinese Electric Supercars as Lacking Emotion
Lamborghini's CEO says Chinese electric supercars cannot match the emotion and sound of its models, even as rivals like Great Wall Motors develop combustion-powered alternatives.
By Eleanor Ellington · 3 min read
Lamborghini’s chief executive, Stephan Winkelmann, has dismissed the wave of high-performance electric supercars emerging from China, arguing that they cannot replicate the emotional appeal of the Italian marque’s combustion-engined models. In remarks to Auto Express, Winkelmann said he does not view the new Chinese entrants as a threat, primarily because they rely on electric powertrains. “We don’t see this as a threat… because they are doing electric cars,” he said, adding that Chinese manufacturers cannot compete “on the performance of our cars, the sound, and the emotion.”
Chinese carmakers have spent much of the past decade concentrating on mass-market vehicles, but several have recently moved into the supercar segment with electric models. The YangWang U9, produced by BYD’s premium brand, was among the first, setting a production-car top-speed record late last year. More recently, Denza unveiled its tri-motor Z, which produces 1,582 horsepower and is priced below a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS. These models demonstrate the technical capabilities of Chinese manufacturers, yet Winkelmann remains unconvinced that they can match the visceral experience offered by Lamborghini’s V10 and V12 engines.
His confidence may be tested, however, as some Chinese brands are now developing combustion-powered supercars. Great Wall Motors (GWM) has been working on a mid-engined model that will use a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged plug-in hybrid V8, an engine the company previewed last year. The car will feature a lightweight carbon-fiber monocoque and is reportedly aimed directly at the Ferrari SF90 Stradale. This suggests that at least some Chinese manufacturers recognise the appeal of traditional internal combustion engines, even as the industry shifts towards electrification.
Whether GWM and others can match the craftsmanship and heritage of established European supercar makers remains uncertain. Lamborghini, which has built its reputation on dramatic design and sonorous engines, may face a new competitive landscape if Chinese brands successfully combine combustion power with modern technology. For now, Winkelmann’s stance reflects a broader debate within the automotive industry about the future of performance cars and the role of emotion in an increasingly electrified market.
