Lamborghini has confirmed that production of its Urus SUV concept will begin in 2017. The news was announced as part of the company’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The Urus will be underpinned by the new Volkswagen MLB platform, which will also form the basis of future Audi Q7, Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne models.
At present, the MLB architecture uses aluminium in pressed, extruded and cast forms along with steel pressings. The two materials are glued and riveted together. For the Urus and other VW Group SUVs, the next MLB platform will incorporate carbonfibre to further reduce mass.
The production Lamborghini Urus is expected to retain the dramatic angular styling of the concept as well as its muscular stance. However, expect details such as the lights and grilles to change by 2017 as Lamborghini’s design evolves.
Lamborghini has yet to reveal details of the SUV’s powertrain, but it’s understood to offer a power output in the region of 600bhp. The production version of the Urus could potentially use plug-in hybrid technology, using a modified version of Audi’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 and an electric motor.
Of the announcement, Audi boss Rupert Stadler said that Lamborghini “has to do it” and that the progress of the Urus is “on track”. – autocar.co.uk
