The Last Manual Lamborghini
It’s been over a decade since Lamborghini last offered a manual transmission in its cars. The last one was the Gallardo, and it was available with three pedals and a stick shift until it was retired in 2014. As for the last V12-powered model with a clutch pedal, that would be the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV, and only five were reportedly made.
The Gallardo’s successor, the Huracan, was dual-clutch only, while the Aventador’s sole transmission choice was an automated manual. The same rings true for the current supercars, as both the Revuelto and Temerario shift with a dual-clutch and nothing else. Given that there are ultra-exclusive hypercar manuals and even Ferrari putting it back in one of its cars, what about Lamborghini?
2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Bicolore front 3/4 view
The CEO Weighs In
Longtime Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann was recently asked by CarBuzz if the brand will follow in the footsteps of some boutique automakers and Ferrari in reviving manuals. For those hoping that the executive will give a scoop of some sort, don’t hold your breath.
Regarding that matter, Winkelmann said, “For me, this is something which is not on our priority list, because we have a lot in the pipeline.” He then added, “[The manual gearbox] is mostly for collectibles, and today we don’t have any plans to do so.” Well, that’s as straightforward as it gets. While the door isn’t completely closed on that idea, he sounded firm in his decision.
Kyle Edward
Hybridization Makes it Difficult
While electrified manuals are possible, it’s not for full-hybrid systems just yet. At most, mild-hybrid systems can be fitted with manuals, but given how series and parallel hybrids are built now, it simply isn’t possible. The workaround is to build something like what’s fitted to the 12Cilindri Manuale, but even that is more of a shift-by-wire system that simulates a manual. Even then, the 12Cilindri Manuale isn’t electrified in any way.
As Winkelmann said, manuals, at least in the space that Lamborghini occupies, are for the top-shelf stuff. At the moment, the Italian automaker isn’t cooking up ultra-limited-run models save for one or two special editions. Also, it’s mulling over a grand tourer in the same vein as the Espada, so it’s likely that the company is devoting its efforts to that model over a one-of-ten vehicle.
But as technology progresses, we’re certain that these high-performance plug-in hybrids will get some form of manual transmission someday. However, it isn’t Lamborghini’s top priority.
