Not everyone thought it was a good idea. Some legitimately worried the Volkswagen-owned brand would show a dramatic display of contempt for Lamborghini’s Italian heritage and jostle it in a more Teutonic direction. 20 years later, we know those fears were largely unfounded.

Lamborghini’s cars remain unmistakably Italian but they’re better to drive and more powerful than they’ve ever been. The firm is successful and, significantly, it’s profitable. Here are the models that have helped Lamborghini thrive in ways it could only dream of during most of its existence.