All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Lamborghini Delays Electric Urus to 2035, Next-Gen SUV Stays Plug-In Hybrid

In a strategic pivot reflecting the uncertainty of global regulations and EV market dynamics, Lamborghini has confirmed that the next-generation Urus will continue as a plug-in hybrid, delaying the launch of a fully electric version until 2035. The decision marks a notable shift from the brand’s previous roadmap, which had slated the high-performance SUV for electrification before the end of the decade.

Speaking to Autocar, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann cited the unpredictable pace of regulatory changes as the driving factor behind the revised plan. “We want to have a new generation again as a plug-in hybrid,” Winkelmann stated. “This is something very important for us and for the customers. And they were very happy to hear about this.”

Originally, the Urus was expected to transition to a fully electric powertrain following its 2024 switch to a hybrid-only lineup. However, the updated timeline now positions the next-generation Urus SE plug-in hybrid to debut around 2029, with the all-electric variant delayed to 2035—coinciding with the European Union’s zero-emissions mandate for new vehicles.

While Winkelmann offered no specifics on the new hybrid model’s performance, it is expected to build upon the current Urus SE’s 789 hp, produced by a twin-turbocharged V8 paired with an electric motor. This makes it the most powerful Urus to date and a fitting blueprint for the next evolution of Lamborghini’s best-selling nameplate.

The move mirrors broader trends within the Volkswagen Group, as sister brand Porsche also announced plans to continue selling its internal combustion-powered Cayenne—on which the Urus is based—alongside a new EV variant. The decision is rooted in profitability concerns, particularly as global enthusiasm for EVs cools and infrastructure remains inconsistent.

Asked whether the electric Urus could launch earlier and coexist with its plug-in sibling, Winkelmann remained non-committal. “Now we have decided for the next generation,” he said. “We have enough time to see what is happening in terms of acceptance, in terms of regulations, and in terms of infrastructure and, last but not least, also in terms of generational change.”

Notably, while Porsche’s upcoming Cayenne will be a facelifted iteration of the current model, Lamborghini’s next Urus will be an entirely new generation, promising fresh design language—though Winkelmann declined to provide details, stating only that “future car designs are not yet fixed.”

Meanwhile, Lamborghini’s first full EV—the production version of the Lanzador concept—remains on track for a 2029 debut, following a delay from its original 2028 launch window. Still, that date is not set in stone. “We still have seven months of window to decide what to do next,” Winkelmann said. “We are very flexible and we are constantly thinking when it should be.”

He attributed the reconsideration to the slower-than-anticipated pace of global EV adoption. “We already postponed the car, because we saw that the adoption curve of the electrification around the globe is [under] the forecast we had a couple of years ago,” he explained. Additionally, he acknowledged that shortening product life cycles and constantly evolving regulations are adding further complexity to long-term planning.

Lamborghini’s cautious but calculated approach to electrification illustrates a broader industry reckoning with the realities of market readiness, regulatory flux, and customer sentiment. For now, the Urus will retain its V8-powered plug-in credentials, bridging the gap between combustion and full electrification—at least until the path ahead becomes clearer.

Source: Autocar

Auctions

2008 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is up for auction

Ferrari’s legacy of building front-engine V12 grand tourers reached new heights in the late 2000s with the introduction of the 599 GTB Fiorano, a machine that fused raw performance with long-distance comfort. Now, an exceptional 2008 example has surfaced for sale with no reserve, offering collectors a chance to own one of Maranello’s finest modern-era GTs in a striking configuration and with remarkably low mileage.

Originally delivered to the Canadian market, this Rosso Corsa 599 GTB shows just 12,000 miles and boasts a registration history in Alberta and British Columbia. It now resides in the U.S. with a clean Washington title and Carfax, adding further appeal for North American enthusiasts.

Sculpted by Pininfarina, Engineered by Passion

The 599 GTB was penned under the direction of Jason Castriota at Pininfarina, showcasing a design that cleverly blended muscular aggression with aerodynamic elegance. Key styling elements include the flying buttress C-pillars, Scuderia Ferrari fender shields, and quad exhaust tips, all accentuating the car’s wide stance and GT intent.

This example wears paint protection film on the front end, preserving the vibrant Rosso Corsa finish, while bi-xenon headlights and 20-inch Challenge wheels complete the aggressive visual package. The wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires fitted in June 2025, along with new TPMS sensors and a brake fluid flush, ensuring the car is ready to perform as its creators intended.

Daytona Luxury Meets Carbon-Fiber Precision

Inside, Ferrari’s signature mix of performance and opulence is on full display. Carbon-fiber Daytona-style seats are finished in brown leather with red accents, echoing the exterior’s boldness. The cabin also features carbon-fiber trim, drilled aluminum pedals, and a power-adjustable steering column. In true grand tourer fashion, the 599 includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a CD stereo with remote changer, and a recently serviced A/C system, with the compressor, receiver, and drier replaced in June 2025.

Instrumentation is both analog and digital, with a 10k-rpm tachometer, digital driver display, and a newly installed 220-mph speedometer—a nod to this model’s cross-border journey and its prodigious performance credentials.

V12 Heart, F1 Soul

At the core of the 599 GTB lies the legendary 6.0-liter F140 V12, derived from the Enzo and tuned to produce 611 horsepower and 448 lb-ft of torque. This powerhouse sends its output to the rear wheels through a six-speed F1 SuperFast automated transaxle, allowing lightning-fast gear changes via steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The selling dealer notes the car is equipped with an FVD Brombacher exhaust, lending a sharper, more aggressive tone to the already symphonic V12 soundtrack. Recent servicing includes an oil change in June 2025, with documentation and inspection reports available in the listing.

This 2008 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is a stunning representation of the brand’s V12 GT heritage—an aluminum-bodied, naturally aspirated masterpiece from an era increasingly revered by collectors. With just 12k miles, tasteful factory options, and recent servicing, this Canadian-market example is ready for its next chapter.

Now offered at no reserve, this 599 Fiorano is more than just a collectible—it’s an opportunity to own one of Ferrari’s most compelling and charismatic road cars of the 21st century.

Source: Bring a Trailer

Gallery:

2008 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is up for auction
News

ADAC Reveals Stark Fuel Price Disparities on German Autobahn

German drivers are facing steep fuel prices on the nation’s autobahns, according to a recent study by the German Automobile Club (ADAC). The analysis, conducted across 50 motorway service stations and 50 nearby alternatives, highlights a glaring discrepancy that can cost motorists over €20 per tank.

On average, drivers pay 43.7 euro cents more per liter for Super E10 and 42.5 euro cents more for diesel when refueling at motorway service stations. With a standard 50-liter tank, that translates to savings of €22 for petrol and just over €21 for diesel—simply by exiting the highway.

One of the most striking price differences was recorded at the Hochfelln-Nord station on the A8 Salzburg–Munich route, where Super E10 was priced 57 cents higher than at a station in nearby Übersee—only three kilometers away. Similarly, on the A3 between Frankfurt and Cologne, the Limburg Ost station charged nearly 54 cents more per liter of diesel than a nearby outlet just two kilometers from the motorway exit.

These are not isolated anomalies. The study found that 90% of motorway fuel stations charged at least 30 cents more per liter of Super E10, and 88% did the same for diesel. In fact, nearly a quarter of stations charged a markup of 50 cents or more.

However, there are exceptions. The Fuchsberg Nord station on the A20 in Mecklenburg had a modest 5.9-cent difference for Super E10 and an almost negligible 0.9-cent gap for diesel compared to the nearby station in Neukloster. But such cases remain rare.

What’s particularly alarming is that these price gaps have widened over time. In 2024, the average difference stood at just over 39 cents for Super E10 and 38 cents for diesel—figures that have climbed notably this year.

While the ADAC acknowledges that motorway stations face higher operational costs—due to long operating hours and expensive land concessions—the organization criticizes the excessive markups as unjustifiable.

“Such massive differences go beyond reasonable surcharges,” an ADAC spokesperson commented. “We advise drivers—whether in cars or on motorcycles—to plan ahead and refuel at stations located off the motorways. The cost savings are significant and consistent.”

With fuel prices climbing and wallets tightening, motorists would be wise to heed ADAC‘s advice. The autobahn might offer speed, but when it comes to filling up, the smarter route is often the scenic one—just off the next exit.

Source: ADAC