The move follows the imminent retirement of quattro chief Heinz Hollerweger. The appointment takes effect from March 15.
Former head of Scuderia Ferrari Stefano Domenicali is expected to helm Lamborghini. Following his exit from Ferrari F1 in April 2014, Domenicali went to work for Audi as a vice president for "new business initiatives".
Domenicali.
As CEO of the Italian supercar maker, the dapper Winkelmann was responsible for substantial investment in the company from 2005. He developed Lamborghini into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of super sports cars. In 2015, the brand with the raging bull achieved a new record with deliveries of 3,245 units.
Under his leadership, the number of Lamborghini dealerships tripled in the last decade.
In May 2014, Italy awarded Winkelmann the Grand Cross, the country’s highest order of merit, for his achievements as CEO of one of the most important Italian companies. This year, the brand celebrates the 100th birthday of the company’s founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini.
Lamborghini is also a pioneer in the field of automotive lightweight construction and in the development of carbon-fibre technologies.
It will begin making an SUV in 2018, making it the third model after the Huracán and Aventador models.
Volkswagen's emissions test-rigging scandal has led to about a dozen top managers being reshuffled at group and brand level.
Hollerweger is retiring.
