Now that McLaren->ke284 has launched a direct competitor for the Porsche 911 Turbo and Ferrari's->ke252 long-rumored, entry-level V-6 model is inching closer to production, the sub-$200,000 sports car->ke506 segment could also welcome Lamborghini->ke44 in the future. Asked by Car and Driver whether his company considers joining this market, CEO Stephan Winkelmann said Lambo isn't planning such a move right now, but that the segment could provide "some opportunities" in the future.

"I learned one thing in the automotive industry to say 'never say never,' and it’s clear the small segment is very competitive. This means that all is pretty much the same as in other segments where you sell hundreds of thousands of cars a year, so there is a price positioning, everything is understandable and foreseeable and based on figures and comparison. At the time, we are not planning to do something like this. When we speak about derivatives inside the models then there might be, here and there, some opportunities. But basically, we’re not planning to do a new car for this level," he said.

That last sentence could very easily mean a solid "No!" but the fact that Lambo has an SUV->ke145 underway suggests the Italian brand is open to new opportunities that would increase sales globally. And needless to say, a sub-$200,000 Lamborghini would bring a lot more enthusiasts into showrooms.

In the same interview with Car and Driver, Winkelmann confirmed that the Asterion Concept plug-in hybrid->ke147 won't make production and that the brand will continue "to sell less than demand" to maintain exclusivity.

Continue reading to learn more about Lamborghini's future entry-level sports car.

Why it matters

Although Lamborghini isn't ready to stray from its two-model (V-10 and V-12) strategy just yet, expanding seems inevitable in the long run. The Urus SUV will open a whole new chapter for the Italian brand, but Lambo isn't likely to stop here. A hybrid might be a long way from becoming feasible, but an entry-level sports car would be a sure-fire hit. I'm sure we'll be hearing more about it once Ferrari's V-6 competitor for the 911 Turbo->ke571 hits dealerships in the next two years.

McLaren 570S Coupe

Developed as a direct competitor to the Porsche 911 Turbo S, the 570S Coupe is crafted around the same carbon-fiber, MonoCell II chassis used in the P1 and 650S. The 570S Coupe also borrows many of its styling features from its bigger and more powerful siblings, while its interior focuses on day-to-day usability and comfort. Power is provided by McLaren’s award-winning, twin-turbo, 3.8-liter V-8 detuned to 562 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Pricing on the U.S. market starts from $184,900, making it nearly $2,000 more expensive than the 911 Turbo S.

Find out more about the McLaren 570S in our full review here.