Almost every hypercar is turning hybrid these days but Lamborghini is determined to protect and even power-up its famous V12 petrol engine in its Aventador flagship.

Speaking with UK media outlet Autocar, Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domencali explained that the company’s V12 engine still has more to give, with customers demanding that a dozen cylinders continues under Raging Bull bonnets regardless of emissions regulations.

“In the short term, there is still a lot of development potential in the V12,” Domenicali said in the interview.

Lamborghini aventador

“We will continue to work in that direction.”

The current Aventador’s 6.5-litre V12 makes 552kW and 690Nm in flagship form, but indications from Domencali are that the engine can push on further independent of electrification – but potentially not turbochargers. Even fellow atmo V12 stalwart Aston Martin has used a pair of huffers for its DB11.

V12 engine

“We cannot be disconnected to the world of the future but we want to be balanced,” he continued.

Lamborghini hypercars

And of the push towards autonomous driving cars? For Lambo, thankfully, forget it. “If you own a Lamborghini, you want to have the passion of driving it and we need to keep that,” Domenicali added.