The Lamborghini Urus SUV will go on sale in 2018 powered by the company’s first turbocharged V8 engine, chief executive Stephan Winkelman and R&D boss Maurizio Reggiani confirmed to our sister publication, Autocar UK.
The new unit has been chosen over the naturally aspirated V10 and V12 powerplants currently in the Lamborghini line-up because the turbocharged unit offers improved CO2 emissions and an extensive power spread with low-end torque that will suit the car better in off-road conditions, while offering top-end power as seen in Lamborghini’s sports cars.
Reggiani said: “In acceleration and in off-road capability it is really important to have a high level of torque, in order to move as quickly as possible and in an off-road situation to have the ability to come out of a critical situation easily.
“We decided that a turbo for a super sport SUV is the best choice. The engine must be light and powerful and with the capability with this torque at low revs to allow the car to be ‘elastic’ in every type of condition.
“This engine is not used by anybody else, only for Lamborghini. To be the most powerful in the class it must have something that is dedicated to our brand. It must be able to produce the right amount power and torque, but do that in conjunction with the right transmission and chassis control that makes it a true Lamborghini,” he added.
A plug-in hybrid version of the Urus is a possibility in the future, according to Winkelmann, and the car is being manufactured to accept a battery pack and electric motors, but the SUV will remain all-wheel-drive no matter which variation is produced.
The premium SUV will be made at the company’s factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese and will be the third production model in the Italian carmaker’s line-up, joining the Aventador and Huracan.
Winkelmann said: “This is a proud moment for everybody in Lamborghini. The introduction of a third model line endorses the stable and sustainable growth of the company and signifies the beginning of a new era.”
Lamborghini will also expand its Sant’Agata Bolognese plant and is looking to invest “hundreds of millions of Euros” in the facility. This investment will increase the size of the plant from the current 80,000 square metres to around 150,000 square metres and the company intends to hire 500 new employees.
The manufacturer also plans to spread its sales across the globe, and has identified the USA, China, the Middle East, United Kingdom, Germany and Russia as its main target markets. With a target of 3,000 units a year in mind, Lamborghini wants to double their current sales figures.
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