How Seattle is shaping the future of Lamborghini's performance cars

By Ronan Glon Published June 24, 2016

Lamborghini is setting up shop in Seattle, Washington. The Italian supercar manufacturer has just opened up a research facility called Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory (ACSL) that aims to make breakthroughs in carbon-fiber technology.

Seattle is a long way from Sant’Agata Bolognese, the company’s home town in Italy, but it’s strategically located just a stone’s throw from Boeing’s headquarters. The two partners joined forces a couple of years ago to develop carbon-fiber components for Boeing jetliners and Lamborghini supercars.

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Companies from all over the automotive spectrum are turning to carbon fiber in a bid to make their cars lighter, faster, and more efficient. However, Lamborghini has been dabbling in composite materials for the past three decades.

“Carbon fiber is a material that Lamborghini has a long history with. Starting with the Countach Quattrovalvole and continuing today, it is one of the most important keys to the success of our cars in the past, present, and future,” affirmed company boss Stefano Domenicali in a statement.

Lamborghini showcased its carbon fiber know-how in 2010 when it introduced its patented Forged Composite technology, which drastically shortens the time it takes to form components. The first car to benefit from the technology was the limited-edition Sesto Elemento. Enthusiasts also got a taste of what’s to come earlier this year at the Geneva Auto Show when Lamborghini debuted the limited-edition Centenario (pictured) with a body made entirely out of carbon fiber.

Read more: After decades in the factory, ex-employees help Lamborghini’s Polo Storico restore cars

The future is promising, but Lamborghini is keeping its lips sealed about precisely which projects the ACSL is working on right now. However, it’s safe to bet that the company’s future models — including the Urus SUV that’s set to launch in 2018 — will incorporate an increasing amount of carbon fiber.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

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