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Lamborghini marks two decades of Centro Stile
October has been declared a month for design at Lamborghini, and the Sant'Agata Bolognese marque chose a bold gesture to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Centro Stile. Alongside the limited-run, 1,065-horsepower Fenomeno special edition, the design team revealed a one-off study simply labeled the Manifesto Design Sculpture—a dramatic concept that showcases the styling house's past, present and possible future.
The Centro Stile, which completed its first full car in 2005, was pioneering for a supercar maker: an in-house creative department responsible for every new model, variant, concept and one-off. Over the last 20 years it has shaped Lamborghini's aggressive, wedge-driven design DNA and helped set trends across the ultra-luxury performance segment.
Mitja Borkert and the current design direction
Mitja Borkert, appointed head of Centro Stile in 2016, has overseen some of the most recognisable recent Lamborghinis: the Aventador S and SVJ, Huracan Performante and the Urus super-SUV. The Manifesto Design Sculpture, shared by Borkert on social channels, reads like a concentrated expression of that lineage—sharp edges, Y-shaped lighting signatures and a pronounced shark-nose front are all present, but reinterpreted with theatrical flair.
What the Manifesto actually is
The sculpture appears to be a design study built from CAD, clay and paint, finished with wheels for photography. It is likely not a functional prototype: the lack of a windshield frame and other practical details suggest a studio model intended to translate styling ideas rather than engineering realities. Think of it as a three-dimensional mood board where elements can be tested visually before they are adapted to production cars.
Highlights:
- Double-bubble glass canopy that evokes a jet fighter cockpit and blends into the rear bodywork
- Classic Lamborghini wedge silhouette updated with ultra-sculpted surfaces
- Fanged rear diffuser and fully exposed wide rear tyres, plus Y-shaped LED taillights
The overall effect is theatrical—part concept car, part sculpture. It would certainly make an eye-catching diecast or movie prop, but more importantly it signals which design cues might filter into future Lamborghinis, special editions or bespoke one-offs.
Design language versus production reality
Not every gesture on the Manifesto will translate directly to a road car. Aerodynamic, safety and homologation requirements constrain how extreme styling features are adapted. Still, Centro Stile's role has always been to evolve Lamborghini's visual identity. Expect the wedge, the Y-light signature and some canopy-inspired glass treatment to crop up in toned-down form on upcoming models.
For enthusiasts tracking the brand, the Manifesto Design Sculpture is a useful preview: it confirms Lamborghini's commitment to a sharp, aggressive aesthetic while hinting at new ways to integrate glass, volume and light into future supercars and SUVs.
Takeaway
The Manifesto may be a studio piece, but its message is clear—Lamborghini's Centro Stile is still leading the brand's visual direction. Whether those dramatic features end up on the next Huracan successor, limited-run one-offs, or special editions remains to be seen, but designers and collectors will be watching closely.
What stands out to you: the canopy roof, the fanged diffuser or the exposed rear tyres? Lamborghini has rolled out a theatrical celebration of design. Now the industry waits to see which elements survive the journey from sculpture to street.
Source: autoevolution
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