Stephan Winkelmann is the new boss of Quattro GmbH

From the crisp creases of his tailored suits to the dashing hairstyles and film star looks… Stephan Winkelman is notably a man who walks his talk and gets sh*t done! The enigmatic 51 year old former CEO of Lamborghini will, as of March 15 2016, be in charge of Audi’s skunkworks division Quattro GmbH.

Stephan is drafted as the replacement outgoing Heinz Hollerweger as the current Head of Quattro GmbH, who retires after almost 40 years of successful work for Audi at the age 62. Heinz Hollerweger was a pivotal force in shaping Audi’s path into electric mobility and achieved a great deal of success with the development of Audi Sport, which includes the brand’s sporting activities such as customer motorsport under the label of Audi Sport customer racing, the R and RS models, and the accessories of the Audi Sport collection.

Heinz Hollerweger retires after serving Audi since 1977

Stephan Winkelman helmed Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. since January 1, 2005 and comprehensively developed Lamborghini into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of super sports cars. In 2015, the raging bull badge achieved a new record with deliveries of 3,245-units. Lamborghini is now also a pioneer in the field of automotive lightweight construction and in the development of innovative carbon fiber technologies.

In 2018, Lamborghini will produce a third model series for the first time, the Urus SUV (if you could call it that!) which will be made alongside the Huracán and Aventador models at the firm’s facility in Sant‘Agata Bolognese. Winkelmann also pushed forward with the expansion of Lamborghini’s sales organization. Under his leadership, the number of Lamborghini dealerships has tripled in the last decade. This year, the brand with the raging bull celebrates the 100th birthday of the company’s founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini.

“With his experience from more than eleven years in charge of Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann will be a key contributor to the further growth of quattro GmbH,” says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. In the coming years, Stephan contributions will be focussed on creating a clearer industry identity for the Audi Sport brand and growing on the portfolio of the of the R and RS bred monsters from Audi.

Perhaps Stephan might also cure the slightly numb steering feel. Time will tell…

ARVIND KUMAR