Lamborghini Urus SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) project 2012

Beijing/Sant’Agata Bolognese, April 22, 2012 - At the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, Automobili Lamborghini presented the ultimate super athlete in the SUV segment. With the Urus concept car, Lamborghini redefined dynamics and design in this category.

Output of around 440 kW / 600 hp and Lamborghini’s excellent know-how in the field of lightweight design technologies guarantee breathtaking dynamics. At the same time, the Urus will offer the lowest CO2 figure of all comparable vehicles. As an SUV concept with four generous seats, a versatile luggage compartment, variable ground clearance and, of course, permanent all-wheel drive, the Urus delivers unique driving fun with virtually no limitations. The interior, too, matches the standards of this super athlete with innovative materials featuring carbon fiber technology like the patented Forged Composite®.
The luxury SUV segment is successful worldwide and promises continued strong growth – a luxurious and powerful SUV is the most emotional way to drive a four-door vehicle equipped to meet all the demands of everyday mobility and yet enjoy refined driving fun. The Urus means that a Lamborghini can now be used by a household as its primary car. This expands the brand’s customer base enormously - appealing to families and to the drivers of Lamborghini super sports cars who have thus far driven SUV models from other brands. Target markets are primarily the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, the Middle East and China. The annual production volume could conceivably be around 3,000 vehicles.
“The Urus is a very concrete idea for the future of Lamborghini – as a third model line and as the perfect complement to our super sports cars,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “SUVs stand for freedom and emotion. SUVs make up one of the most successful market segments worldwide. The Urus is the most extreme interpretation of the SUV idea; it is the Lamborghini of the SUVs.”

Heritage and Name

Permanent all-wheel drive is part of the Lamborghini DNA; but the brand from Sant’Agata Bolognese is also no stranger to the SUV segment - Lamborghini founded the super-luxury SUV segment with the legendary LM002. When it was unveiled in 1986, the LM002 was an absolutely revolutionary vehicle. An automobile suitable for off-road driving with a twelve-cylinder engine and 450 hp, a top speed of more than 210 km/h, a luxurious interior and, above all, an absolutely stunning appearance – it was utterly unthinkable at the time. The Lamborghini LM002 remained in production until 1992. And, although barely more than 300 units were ever built, the LM002 has secured its place in automotive history.

As has long been the tradition at Lamborghini, its name is derived once more from the world of bulls – the Urus, also known as Aurochs, is one of the large, wild ancestors of domestic cattle. Urus bulls could measure up to 1,8 meters at the shoulder.

The Urus is the Lamborghini among SUVs. It offers plenty of space for four people and a generous amount of luggage or shopping. The Urus is the Lamborghini for everyday use. Most importantly, however, it is a true Lamborghini. The Urus has a unique, utterly unmistakable appearance. It looks powerful, but not bulky. It is muscular and highly athletic, but also elegant. At a length of 4,99 meters, it fits perfectly into the sporty SUV class. At a height of just 1,66 meters, however, it is considerably lower than all its competitors. Together with its width of 1,99 meters, the Lamborghini Urus boasts the perfect proportions for the super athlete in the segment.
The key to its performance is primarily the drive – the heart of every Lamborghini. The target has been set – expect around 440 kW / 600 hp. Permanent all-wheel drive with traction control is, of course, a given. One target is clearly defined – the Lamborghini Urus will beat all comparable competitors when it comes to CO2 emissions. One important prerequisite for this is low weight. The Urus will be considerably lighter than its competitors, sticking firmly to the Lamborghini lightweight design philosophy. The steps to achieve this include an intelligent material mix for the structure and bodyshell and, for the first time, systematic lightweight design in the interior, too. The consistent application of innovative carbon fiber technologies is a given - Automobili Lamborghini possesses unique know-how in this particular field.
Lightweight design is the decisive prerequisite not only for moderate fuel consumption, but also for dynamics and handling. The Urus will set new benchmarks here, too. A low center of gravity and a highly variable bodyshell height are among the solutions. The Lamborghini SUV is also notable for its innovative, adaptive aerodynamics. In combination with the variable bodyshell height, the height-adjustable front spoiler facilitates a good approach angle and excellent obstacle clearance. At its lowest setting, however, it aids stability at high speeds. The form is, of course, aerodynamically refined. At the upper edge of the rear windshield is a deflector that diverts the airflow along the rear windshield and onto the adjustable spoiler. In combination with the likewise adaptive rear spoiler, the aerodynamic balance of the Lamborghini Urus can even be adjusted to suit the prevailing driving conditions.

Design

Extremely tight, razor-sharp lines define a precision that is at the very forefront of automotive design. And the clean, taut, finely executed surfaces show the exceptional degree of  competence and experience possessed by Lamborghini in design, construction and bodyshell manufacturing. The result is a tremendously precise design language with a
strong technical appeal that is amazingly spirited and light in its expression. It starts at the front, which already displays the clear family resemblance. The strong three-dimensionality with sharp lines, a clear arrow form, large air intakes left and right, the Y shape in the headlamps, the aerodynamically refined function of the elements and the lines that run from the hood over the roof to the rear of the vehicle – these characteristics of the Lamborghini design language are all evident in the Urus.