“Lamborghini will grow even further,” says Francesco Scardaoni, Region Director, Automobili Lamborghini, at the launch of the Lamborghini Temerario
We speak to Francesco Scardaoni, Region Director, Automobili Lamborghini on Lamborghini’s future strategy for India;
Francesco Scardaoni, Region Director, Asia Pacific, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.a. alongside the new Temerario at the launch India in New Delhi.
The successor to the Lamborghini Huracan has arrived in India! Lamborghini’s latest hybrid, the Lamborghini Temerario, has been launched in India at ₹6 crore (ex-showroom), making it considerably more expensive than the Huracan. The word ‘Temerario’ is Spanish for ‘fierce’ and keeping with tradition, the name harks back to a fierce fighting bull, says Lamborghini. What is not traditional however is the hybrid powertrain that consists of a twin-turbo 4-litre V8 engine and is assisted by three electric motors, producing a combined output of 907bhp and revving all the way to 10,000rpm. We had a conversation with Francesco Scardaoni, Region Director, Asia Pacific, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.a. at the launch of the Temerario in New Delhi to find out about the direction Lamborghini is heading in India, and here are the excerpts from this interview.
On Lamborghini’s reach expansion strategy for India in the next five years
Francesco Scardaoni affirmed that the Indian market has immense potential. “India for us is a strategic market, right now we are set on a three-dealer setup in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.” Scardaoni also went on to hint at Lamborghini’s future plans for India, saying “We are constantly evaluating potential for further expansion of our network, but only when the market would be ready to get an additional dealership. Lamborghini will grow even further.”
While the Temerario is a clean-sheet design, it carries cues from the Gallardo and the Huracan to bring out the family resemblance.
On setting up new dealerships in India
“With the current market situation, three dealers are enough,” said Scardaoni, quickly reassuring that the brand wants to be situated close to its customers to deliver the best experience. “It's important to cover as much of a market as possible. India is not easy because the population is spread all over; it would be impossible to cover all the cities where we have customers.” Scardaoni added, “The most important cities are already covered, the three-tier one cities. We are also looking into understanding and developing tier two cities that can bring us closer to our customers. In terms of volumes, we need to make sure that all of our dealers are profitable and sustainable.”
On the India-EU free trade agreement affecting Lamborghini’s business plans for India
“We heard a few rumours in Italy about this trade agreement between India and Europe. We believe that this can be advantageous for our cars, especially for our customers,” said Scardaoni. He believes that the tariffs are not supportive of a competitive economy, particularly for the automotive industry. “This would be an amazing step that the Indian government could take in the future to support not only Lamborghini but the overall car market.”
On the initial response to the price hike for Temerario over Huracan
“We haven’t heard any negative feedback yet. The first feedback from customers is really positive, especially in terms of design, new engine, new dynamics and versatility of the car.” Scardaoni unflinchingly states that the price hike is on par with the market. “Up until now, we haven’t seen any resistance. In fact, we already have a few orders coming from India.”
The new twin-turbo 4-litre V8 engine produces 789bhp and is assisted by three electric motors making an added 147bhp for a total output of 907bhp!
On carrying Lamborghini’s essence into the inevitable electric age
“Well, it sure is a challenge because it's important for a brand such as Lamborghini to be consistent with its own DNA, which is based on emotion, driving emotion. The sound is a big part of that emotion,” said Scardaoni. He adds,“The strategy for the next year is driven by Cor Tauri, which focuses on hybridising our full product range. As a matter of fact, we are the first super sports car luxury brand with a full hybrid product line.” For Lamborghini, hybridisation has only one definition – making additions to the features, performance and comfort. “Emotional performance is our key asset, especially with regards to sound, and you just heard what the Temerario sounds like.”
Click here to listen to the Temerario's exhaust note!
On defining the ‘emotional identity’ of the Temerario
“Emotion wise, I would say adrenaline, when you drive the Temerario, revving it out, it's a unique experience,” says Scardaoni, explaining that no other road legal car can rev up to 10,000rpm. Scardaoni goes on to add that the Temerario will surely take drivers by surprise, as a super sports car must. “I believe that adrenaline is the right word.”
Temerario will have over 400 body colour and livery options courtesy of Lamborghini’s Ad Personam customisation program.
The best road and soundtrack duo for an Indian road trip in the Temerario
“There is a valley with a really curvy road that goes up on a famous mountain called Spiti Valley. I saw pictures, I think that road would be really thrilling to drive the Temerario, I can imagine myself driving on that road in sport mode, drifting out of tight corners up the hills,” says Scardaoni with a grin on his face. “I think hip-hop music would be the right music to let the car dance up.”