Scardaoni: "You cannot afford to second-guess yourself or let emotions obfuscate your judgement." (Photo: Lamborghini)
Options: What excites you most about introducing the Lamborghini Temerario, a new HPEV (high performance electrified vehicle), to the Malaysian market?
Francesco Scardaoni: We are thrilled to debut the Temerario here and set a new benchmark in the super sports car segment. Driven by an all-new twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain, this Fuoriclasse (Italian for “exceptional”) delivers class-beating performance and comfort, offering an experience rooted in the Italian automotive heritage of Sant’Agata Bolognese. Malaysia is a fast-growing market with strong momentum in EV (electric vehicle) adoption, supported by government initiatives and well-developed infrastructure. But beyond the vehicles themselves, what we strive to cultivate is a super sports culture through events and meaningful connections with our customers. This September, we will be holding a race at Sepang, where our models can fully demonstrate their capabilities, whether accelerating down the straights or navigating sharp curves with precision.
The Temerario is being called a fearless step into Lamborghini’s electrified future. What does it say about the brand’s vision, and what does it mean to be fearless in your life and career?
Not following trends. With the Temerario, we didn’t chase after a trendy design language or architecture. Everything about it is entirely new, and that is where Lamborghini can truly inspire. For me, fearlessness comes into play when I have to make difficult decisions. Of course, you can rely on numbers and data to guide you but they can never capture the full picture of the world or the situation at hand. Sometimes, you have to trust your instincts — and that requires courage. You cannot afford to second-guess yourself or let emotions obfuscate your judgement.
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What do you drive day-to-day?
I drive an Urus Performante, which I configured through the Ad Personam [customisation] programme. It is in the colour Verde Turbine — a matte army green I really like — and I paired it with carbon fibre details. Growing up in a small village near Bologna, in the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley, I was surrounded by a deep passion for engines. As a boy, I even had a scale model and poster of the Countach on my wall. In our village, we raced anything that had an engine — cars, motorbikes … whatever we could find. So, driving a Lamborghini is a dream come true.
But it’s not just about going fast. Sometimes I don’t even care about the speed — it’s about being immersed in the moment, appreciating every detail. Even when I was living in Beijing, where the traffic was terrible and you could be stuck for hours, I never felt frustrated when I was in a Lamborghini. I would sit there, surrounded by the leather, touching the materials and admiring the craftsmanship. During those moments, I felt transported, travelling in my own dream.
Bologna is famous for its mountainous loops and paths. What defines a good road trip?
The city is enclosed by beautiful hills that are winding and scenic, perfect for enjoying the stability, acceleration and torque of a car like the Temerario. There is also a stunning route that connects Bologna to Florence, where you can really cruise and take in greater views of the mountains along the way. And while you are there, take the chance to absorb some of Italy’s history and culture. It’s like walking through a museum with an open roof.
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Do you curate your playlist to fit the car, the journey or the mood?
My playlist has a bit of everything. Usually, if I hear a song I like somewhere, I just Shazam it and add it to my selection. Depending on my mood, I switch from hip-hop — like A$AP Rocky and Drake — to rock, with Linkin Park when I want something more powerful. Delirium is my go-to for techno. As for classical, I will never forget the beautiful duet, Caruso, between Pavarotti and Lucio Dalla.
What helps you relax when you step away from the driver’s seat?
I’m a bit of a sports addict, so I like going to the gym, swimming — usually long distance in the open sea rather than the pool because I would feel like a squirrel in a cage — or cycling after work. Unfortunately, Singapore [where I’m based] has pretty flat terrain, so it is not very exciting. My ideal ride would be in the Alps. When you climb up to 2,000m or 3,000m, the scenery of the mountain pass opening up between two valleys is truly remarkable. I currently own a carbon Specialized bike and have always raced with it. The brand, to me, is very similar to Lamborghini because both are constantly pushing the boundaries of technology and design. Specialized was among the first to play with different frame colours instead of just the standard white. I love the shape of its frames and the way it rides.
Who stands out as your favourite athlete now?
At the moment, [Slovenian cyclist] Tadej Pogačar. He is a true prodigy on another level — almost like a machine when you look at his physical metrics and what he is capable of. But that is the beauty of cycling: it evolves and, every five years or so, a new name rises to the top. I am sure, in another five years, you and I will be sitting here talking about someone else.
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This article first appeared on July 28, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
