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Lamborghini premiered a concept for an SUV three year ago – the Urus, they called it – but never committed to building it.
However, demand changes fast, and it looks like the exotic automaker is stepping up to the plate. It’s planning to release an SUV by 2018. Its looks and specs still remain a mystery, but one thing is for certain: As it turns out, luxury automakers know people really love SUVs. Those same luxury automakers are capitalizing on this fact – see the Porsche Cayenne, the Bentley Bentayga and the recent announcements made by Land Rover and Rolls-Royce.
So Lamborghini is finally joining the performance-tuned but also family oriented race. Let’s break down what we know about this new SUV and who will be its prime competition.
What We Know
The car will be manufactured at the company’s headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy – so if you’re a Lambo purist, you should be jumping for joy.
The company also added that its goal is to sell 3,000 SUVs per year. This might be a lofty goal, considering that tacked on the end of that statement was the phrase: “Which is more than double our current annual sales.” Before you jump at that figure, just remember that the company’s only currently selling two mainstream cars: the Huracan and Aventador coupes.
Lamborghini is targeting a number of countries for the new vehicle, including markets in the U.S., the U.K., the Middle East, China, Russia and Germany.
It sounds like it’s going to look a lot like the Urus concept, which was revealed at the Beijing Motor Show in 2012. Lamborghini has actually been toying with the idea of producing it for a long time now, waiting on the approval of parent company Volkswagen, and they’ve now got the green light.
Tough Competition
Lamborghini’s a little late to the game. You can debate about whether that matters or not, but there’s already a bunch of luxury-brand SUVs out there. So who will be the Urus’ main competition?
- Porsche Cayenne: Leading the fancy crossover market since 2002, the Cayenne starts at $60,000. At its most basic, it contains a 300-hp V-6. The S and GTS models feature a twin-turbo V-6, and have 420 and 440 horsepower, respectively. While all models have four wheel drive, diesel and hybrid models are also offered.
- Bentley Bentayga: This new brute will feature a 6.0-liter W12 engine, but also an option for a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. It will be the first Bentley to have both diesel and plug-in hybrid options.
- Jaguar F-Pace: Inspired by the F-type sports car, it’s rumored to feature a manual gearbox. It will also come with traffic-sign recognition, a heads-up display and blind-spot cameras. Its InControl media touchscreen will sync apps with Android and Apple phones, including unlocking ability and climate control.
- Maserati Levante: The upcoming Levante will feature a 3.0L V6 engine, with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission borrowed from the Maserati Quattroporte. The Levante will also boast a four-wheel drive system and an 8.1-inch touchscreen display.
Another LM002?
Let’s hope not. An unusual departure for Lamborghini, it was nicknamed Rambo-Lambo, and it looked like an angry, polygonal Hummer H3T.
It’s pretty obvious Lamborghini has done its research on this one, since it’s banking on it making, well, bank for the company. In 2018, keep an eye out for a family of four whizzing by you in top-tier luxury.
