As the automotive industry accelerates toward an electric future, Lamborghini is taking a detour—one powered by synthetic fuels rather than lithium-ion batteries. The iconic Italian supercar maker has made it clear that the internal combustion engine (ICE) remains central to its identity, even as global regulations threaten to phase it out.
In a recent interview with CarExpert, Lamborghini’s Chief Technical Officer Rouven Mohr reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to ICEs, arguing that synthetic fuel could be the key to their survival. “Synthetic fuel could be the savior of the combustion engine,” Mohr stated, adding that Lamborghini’s new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, set to power the upcoming Temerario, is capable of running efficiently on both gasoline and synthetic fuel.
Despite announcing its first electric vehicle (EV), Lamborghini has delayed its debut, signaling a lack of confidence in current EV solutions to deliver the same visceral thrill as a roaring V8. “If you ask me the emotion side at the moment… I don’t see the [electric] solution that is convincing now,” Mohr said. He believes that while EVs will eventually win broader acceptance, a new generation of enthusiasts may rediscover the allure of old-school combustion.
Synthetic fuels, often called e-fuels, are produced from renewable sources using water, carbon dioxide, and green electricity. They offer the promise of carbon-neutral emissions, a potential loophole in the European Union’s 2035 ban on new CO₂-emitting vehicles. While combustion engines won’t be outright banned, they must run on such carbon-neutral fuels to remain compliant.
However, widespread adoption remains a long shot. Synthetic fuels are still in their infancy, with production limited and costs high. That hasn’t deterred Lamborghini—or its parent company, the Volkswagen Group. Porsche, another marque under VW’s umbrella, has been producing synthetic fuel in Chile since late 2022 through a partnership with Highly Innovative Fuels (HIF). Their pilot project uses wind energy to generate hydrogen and combine it with CO₂ to create a renewable fuel—one Porsche has already used to power a 911.
Other luxury automakers are also testing the waters. Ferrari, Bentley, and Bugatti have expressed interest in synthetic fuels, while mainstream manufacturers like Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru are exploring alternative ICE technologies, including hydrogen combustion.
Still, industry analysts remain cautious. The global shift toward electrification has absorbed much of the industry’s capital, and developing an infrastructure for synthetic fuel may prove too expensive for mass-market viability. Most automakers are betting on battery EVs, not combustion’s revival.
For Lamborghini, the road ahead is split. While EVs may dominate the future, the brand is placing a high-stakes bet that there will still be space—and demand—for the visceral, emotional experience of a roaring engine fueled by innovation, not gasoline.
Source: Motor1, CarExpert; Photo: Lamborghini