It’s one thing to create a fast car. It’s another to sculpt an object of desire so rare, so purpose-built, that it transcends the automotive world and becomes rolling art. Sitting across from Stephan Winkelmann, chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, it’s immediately clear that the new Lamborghini Fenomeno is just that — a statement not only of performance but of identity, a phenomenon in both engineering and emotion.
“We are always pushing the boundaries,” Winkelmann tells Economy Middle East, his words carrying both precision and pride. “This is the highest power we’ve ever achieved from a V12, combined with a plug-in hybrid system… acceleration from zero to 100 in 2.4 seconds, a top speed exceeding 350 km/h, and a body made entirely from carbon fiber.”
Only 29 examples of the Fenomeno will ever exist. One will remain in Lamborghini’s own collection, a museum piece representing a moment when the brand fused past and future in a single, audacious statement. The rest? Already spoken for, offered to the brand’s most loyal collectors through a selection process as meticulous as the engineering behind the car.
Read: Experiencing the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato’s dual personality in Porto Cesareo
Celebrating 20 years of Centro Stile
The Fenomeno’s debut at Monterey Car Week 2025 is no coincidence. It marks the 20th anniversary of Lamborghini Centro Stile, the in-house design atelier that has shaped every curve and crease of the brand’s modern era. It also continues a lineage of ‘Few Off’ models — beginning with the 2007 Reventón and continuing through the Sesto Elemento, Veneno, Centenario, Sián, and Countach — that have become holy grails for collectors.
For Winkelmann, design isn’t merely aesthetics; it’s one of Lamborghini’s two fundamental purchase drivers, alongside performance. “Design and performance are the two elements that are typical for Lamborghini… always something stunning, unexpected, and above the expectations of the customer.” The Fenomeno, in essence, is that philosophy distilled into carbon fiber.
Hyperdesign: Function woven into form
Described as a “design manifesto”, the Fenomeno introduces Lamborghini’s Hyperdesign philosophy: Every surface, every line serves both beauty and purpose. The front hood’s intakes are inspired by the Huracán GT3. DRLs pay homage to the horns of the Lamborghini bull. The sweeping profile recalls the long-tail silhouette of the Essenza SCV12.
Aerodynamics are at the core:
- S-Duct system for increased downforce and airflow efficiency.
- Omega-shaped rear wing for stability at extreme speeds.
- Aero doors and 30 percent more efficient side cooling than other V12 models.
Like a well-tailored suit that moves with the wearer, the Fenomeno’s silhouette slices through the air.
The most powerful V12 in Lamborghini history
Under the carbon fiber skin beats a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12, producing 835 CV at 9,250 rpm, paired with three electric motors for a combined 1,080 CV. It is, quite literally, the most powerful Lamborghini ever — hence the name Fenomeno.
Performance figures border on science fiction:
- 0–100 km/h: 2.4 seconds
- 0–200 km/h: 6.7 seconds
- Top speed: Over 350 km/h
Yet Winkelmann is quick to point out that these numbers are only part of the story. The lightweight monofuselage chassis, forged composite front structure, and racing-derived suspension make the Fenomeno a masterclass in balance — speed married to poise, aggression softened by precision.
An interior that’s all business — and all luxury
Inside, Lamborghini’s “Feel like a pilot” philosophy comes alive. Minimalist triple digital displays, custom bucket seats, and a center console carved from carbon fiber set the tone. The cabin feels as if it’s been lifted from a spacecraft — its ambient lighting and angular surfaces framing the experience like a luxury cockpit designed for interstellar travel.
Through the Ad Personam program, each owner can tailor their Fenomeno to the extreme: Hundreds of paint finishes, exotic materials, bespoke stitching — no two will ever be alike. In the right hands, the Fenomeno becomes not just a car, but a self-portrait in motion.
A clientele that’s getting younger — and broader
In our conversation, Winkelmann notes an intriguing shift. “We have the youngest average age in this type of brand… an increasing percentage of female buyers, particularly in Asia. Demand is rising everywhere, not just in one region.”
It’s a reminder that while the Fenomeno is steeped in Lamborghini’s DNA, it’s also a car born for a new generation of collectors — a generation that values sustainability, exclusivity, and the thrill of driving something truly irreplaceable.
A legacy in motion
When asked about allocation, Winkelmann smiles knowingly. “Almost all the cars are sold,” he says. That’s the nature of a Lamborghini ‘Few Off’: blink, and you’ve missed your chance.
For those lucky enough to secure one, the Fenomeno is more than a super sports car. It’s a chapter in Lamborghini’s ongoing narrative of defiance, beauty, and performance without compromise. And for the rest of us? It’s proof that in Sant’Agata, the impossible isn’t just imagined — it’s built. The Fenomeno doesn’t just join Lamborghini’s history; it rewrites it.
