Audi 2012 Annual Report Download - page 127

Fuel consumption and emission figures at the end of the Annual Report
My Inspiration
In the fifty years since the first
sports car rolled out of for-
mer tractor builder Ferruccio
Lamborghini’s new factory in
1963, it hasn’t always been an
easy ride for Lamborghini, says Giorgio
Sanna. But, as the car manufacturer’s
head test driver stresses, the company
has always been spurred on by the
passion of its employees and fans.
He then describes the brand using an
appropriate figure of speech: “We are
on a steady upward trajectory today
here at Lamborghini – and heaven knows
our sports cars are strong and powerful
enough to master any uphill climb,”
he says with a mischievous smile.
Giorgio Sanna is actually a matter-
of-fact sort of person. But when the
conversation turns to his favorites, he
begins to rave: “Lamborghini is a dream
brand in the international automotive
industry. Having undergone various
upheavals over the years, its core values
remain emotionally unchanged.” This
comes from the man who lives out the
values of the sports car manufacturer
More air! Increasing power
requires larger air intakes
on the Miura, Countach and
Aventador (from above).
himself. Brand ambassador, head test
driver, developer and race car driver –
he is all of these. Sanna also channels
his energy and enthusiasm into making
sure that every new model becomes
a Lamborghini in the tradition of the
legendary company founder and auto-
motive designer. The 37-year-old does
this by “taming” the sports cars, so
to speak, thereby ensuring through
his work that the big, fast cars from
Sant’Agata Bolognese can still be con-
tained, despite their unruly power
and temperament.
When racing driver Giorgio Sanna
followed the call to Lamborghini in
2001, he encountered a legend among
test drivers: Valentino Balboni. “Nothing
escapes his notice,” says Sanna, refer -
ring to Balboni’s precision. For 40 years,
he tweaked each new Lamborghini
until it was perfect. While he had every
respect for his predecessor, Giorgio
Sanna quickly forged a reputation in
his own right. In his dream job at
Lamborghini, however, he applies the
same high standards as Balboni.
As if glued to the road:
the Aventador Roadster.
P H O T O S | W O L FA N G O
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