In 2012 Italian luxury sportscar maker Lamborghini first teased the ideal of making an SUV. In less than three weeks, that concept will become a reality. The Urus represents what that the company feels could become the best-selling vehicle ever in their 54-year history.
Some of the trademark aerodynamics and carbon fiber body stylings associated with Lamborghini are a given, but what will really set the Urus apart is the motor and drivetrain.
It’s rumored that Lamborghini’s first twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 will produce 650 horsepower and 600 foot-pounds of torque, making it the fastest SUV on the planet. This includes a 0-60 time and top speed that could be greater than a Porsche 911.
The Urus will also reportedly feature a new type of hybrid electric drivetrain that will allow an electric motor to power the vehicle for short distances.
The company has already began producing prototypes at their factory in Italy, which are currently being sent everywhere from the Arctic Circle to the deserts of Arizona for self-described torture testing.
Another unique element of the Urus is that Lamborghini expects to sell 3,500 of the SUVs annually. This would roughly match the 3,457 cars it made last year, which was an all-time high.
Consequently, Lamborghini has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to nearly double its manufacturing space to 1.5 million square feet, and hired hundreds of new workers.
The Urus, which is either named for a mountain in the Peruvian Andes or a species of extinct wild bulls, will be unveiled on December 4 and begin shipping by next summer. It’s expected to retail for just over $200,000.