Lamborghini stays pretty close to, if not right up to the cutting edge of automotive design, both literally and figuratively. But that doesn't mean it can't benefit from a little outside help from time to time. And we're particularly enticed by this independent design.

Called the Airwing, it's the imaginative and highly evocative work of one Rick Salinas – the same independent designer who visually pondered the notion of a reborn Dodge Viper, sharing some of his best work on Behance. Only this time he's gone even further into the future of what tomorrow's supercar could look like.

As you can see (if not discern from its name), the Airwing takes theoretical advantage of the emerging field of active aerodynamics – something which Lamborghini itself has begun to embrace with its Attiva system on models like the extreme Huracan Performante and Aventador SVJ. But Salinas has driven the idea much further, with bodywork that (at least in theory) feathers out into aero flicks for increased downforce (under braking and in corners) or retracts for minimal drag (on straightaways). As futuristic as it may look, though, there are some telltale elements that paint this clearly as a Lamborghini.

Just look at the faceted surfacing that's characterized every road-going Raging Bulls since the Countach, and the finned "eyelashes" that graced the front end of the Miura.

The design borrows as well from other sources, ranging from Bertone's original Lancia Stratos Zero concept and various aircraft (another typical Lamborghini influence) to birds of prey, smart bombs, and even phone cases. And we dig the results, particularly as rendered in white and black, with gold-toned accents and tricolore stripes behind the front wheels. If this is what the Lambo of the future looks like, in short, count us in.