Lambo confirms SUV at last - but are top-shelf crossovers a step too far?

The outcry over the Italian supercar brand’s plans to move into uncharted territory has been palpable since the announcement was made that a high-riding crossover is well on its way for a 2018 launch.

Unveiled in 2012 in Beijing, the Urus Concept signalled Lamborghini’s intentions to dramatically broaden its market.

To be built at Lamborghini’s Sant'Agata Bolognese HQ, which is responsible for research and development as well as the manufacturing of the company’s line of sportscars, the SUV represents hundreds of millions of Euro dollars’ worth of investment by owners Audi AG, creating at least 500 new jobs.

Oh, and doubling annual global sales from around 1500 to 3000 units has also been a driving force.

So what is the Lamborghini SUV – codenamed LB376 – going to be like really?

With a very rakish roofline and wide track, the Urus points to Lamborghini’s desire to snare a bit of that BMW X6 M action.

The most obvious clue lies in the Urus Concept, which was rather tellingly unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show of 2012. About the size of the BMW X6, the coupe-like swoopy SUV featuring lightweight carbon-fibre and aluminium, is about five metres long, two metres wide, and 1.66m tall, with seating for four people. Under the low nose is a 440kW V8 turbo petrol/plug-in electric hybrid drivetrain.

Since then, Lamborghini has also shown a 678kW V10-derived version from the Asterion concept – and bets are on that the latter powerplant will probably become the performance flagship.

Audi will most likely develop the all-wheel drive system from its famous quattro technology – a variation can already be found in other Lamborghinis such as the Huracan supercar.

The Urus Concept is powered by a turbo petrol/plug-in electric hybrid drivetrain capable of propelling the vehicle well over 280km/h

Expect the production Urus (if that’s what it ends up being called) looking similar, though the flight-of-fancy 24-inch alloys will most likely be binned by the time the real thing comes around in three years time.

It’s been widely speculated that a variation of the second-generation Audi Q7’s new MLB modular longitudinal platform will serve as the Lamborghini crossover's basis. A specific SUV architecture, it will also be shared with the Mk3 Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg fraternal twins, as well as the Bentley Bentayga.

The production version of the Urus Concept will most probably not be an off-roader; 24-inch alloys just aren’t cut out for such action.

The field of hyper-luxury SUVs seems to be growing by the year, with new Mercedes Benz AMG GLE Coupe and forthcoming Maserati Levante also joining the exalted ranks.

If you’re a Lamborghini purist, then you might have your understandably grave fears allayed a little at least by Audi’s recent announcement concerning the future SUV.

Though likely to change before production, the Urus Concept’s dash plays down the Lambo’s SUV-ness by being low and very car-like.

“This is a proud moment for everybody in Lamborghini,” Automobili Lamborghini president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann told the media back in May. “The introduction of a third model line endorses the stable and sustainable growth of the company and signifies, for us, the beginning of a new era.”

“The new SUV will be made in Sant'Agata Bolognese, demonstrating our commitment to safeguarding the values of 'Made in Italy' worldwide.”

There is nothing subtle about the two-person rear seat in the Urus Concept – don’t expect to see this in the final production version.

Lamborghini, of course, has a colourful history with oddball vehicles that have actually included SUVs in the past.

Between 1986 and 1993, the company produced the LM002, powered by a 5.2-litre V12 engine derived from the famous Countach. Originally envisaged to appeal to the oil exploration and production industries, only 328 were produced.

Developed for oil industry use, Lamborghini’s first SUV was a Countach-powered off-roader; only 328 were made until 1993.

A trained mechanic with the Italian Royal Air Force, Ferruccio Lamborghini began making and successfully selling tractors after World War II in Italy, using surplus supplies. Though a lifelong dream, he only moved into sportscars after a string of Ferraris he had owned proved unreliable, prompting the industrialist to build a better alternative. The result – the 350 GT – was launched at the 1963 Turin Motor Show. Classic models include the Miura, Espada, Countach, Testarossa, Diablo, and Gallardo.

Ferruccio sold his remaining interests in the company in 1974, with a series of owners including Chrysler (between 1987 and 1993), before Audi took control in 1998.

The famous Italian supercar-maker began with making tractors like this from surplus WW2 bits and pieces.

Right now, just two Lamborghini sportscars are available in Australia – the $428,000 Huracan LP 610-4 and the Aventador, offered in $761,000 LP 700-4 coupe and $795,000 Roadster guise.

Bearing all this history in mind, should Lamborghini enter the SUV fray once more?

Byron Mathioudakis GoAuto.com.au

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