Lamborghini could very well be the antithesis of the green car movement. Their cars burn just about everything they can, including prodigious amounts of fossil fuels and vulcanized rubber, to say nothing of our ear-drums. And the company's CEO says he has no intention of changing that, nor that he should.

In an interview conducted while the newest Gallardo LP560-4 was being demonstrated at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Stephan Winkelmann re-opened a big can of proverbial worms. Justifying that because his company sells so few cars (it sold 2,604 vehicles last year, more than any year before) and that those cars accumulate such low mileage (most owners keep them in climate-controlled garages and only take them out on leap years), Winkelmann recognized that his company will "have to see about the social acceptance of super sports cars like ours," but that Lamborghini "will never reach the emissions that are asked for." In tangible terms, Winkelmann makes a point. The question remains whether, in our worsening environmental and geo-economic situation, cars like his can should be banned altogether or whether there is room for exemptions.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

A look at the Lamborghini category here on AutoblogGreen will show that, besides this posting, five of the eight posts were regarding the Italian stallion's horrible emissions, fuel mileage or both. The other three were in regards to Lamborghini's recognition that they must improve their environmental impace, whether they want to or not. So, it comes as little surprise to see that the company is touting the greener aspect of their newest creation, the Gallardo LP560-4. While nobody would truly consider the vehicle green in any meaningful way, they did manage to improve the fuel economy of the machine from a dismal 14 miles per gallon to a still rather horrible 17 mpg. Additionally, the carbon emissions of the vehicle have improved 18 percent, although the 325 grams of carbon dioxide that it emits now can hardly be classified as low.

Lamborghini themselves realize the fact that they are fighting an uphill battle, with chief executive Stephan Winkelmann admitting, "Being a supersports car is all about accelerating and top speed. If you want to go fast, you consume, and if you consume, you have emissions. You will never come to the average emissions of the average car." Is anybody else thinking of Tesla right about now?

[Source: International Herald Tribune via TTAC]

Here is the general manager of the Ferrari importer European Automotive Imports Kevin Wall's response to the question would Ferrari ever make a hybrid or electric car:

I believe there is no possibility of that whatsoever. ... It just so happens that the way that the vehicles are being produced by the factory also makes them technically green, because they are so highly efficient. ... I don't think that's a prime motivator for people to purchase a Ferrari, though.

Ferrari has shown green concepts and Ferrari is aware of the "ethical" concerns of their buyers but I would not hold my breath for a hybrid Ferrari or Lamborghini, another Italian luxury car maker, because they are not coming anytime soon. While you wait, you could get a Tesla.

Related:

• Ferrari looking to cut CO2 emissions, reduce fuel use by 40 percent
• What's next for the Ferrari Millechili eco-friendly concept?

[Source: The Red Book, Reuters]

Lamborghini is ranked among the most polluting brands in Europe and the US. But, as the same way Ferrari is aware that they have to do something about their not-so-green reputation, Lamborghini has made public its intentions to improve CO₂ emissions. Of course, a brand which makes performance and looks its trademarks can only improve them by reducing weight, said Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini CEO.

The shadow of the EU's 130 g/km of CO₂ regulations is very large, coming in effect in 2010. Lamborghini's actual figure is (take a deep breath) about 400 g/km. Weight-reducing solutions to improve this figure will surely imply the use of lighter materials for the chassis and the body, although the brand won't surely reach the required figures.

Nevertheless, there is a concern about noise pollution as well, which is a nightmare in some cities. Winkelmann stated that Lamborghinis are driven mostly on weekends, which causes the least concerns for citizens. Cities in Southern Europe are currently limiting the maximum dB a car can emit while running on streets.

Continue after the jump to see the latest Lamborghini's project, the Reventón

[Source: Reuters]