Lamborghini Urus SUV concept revealed at Beijing Motor Show
Lamborghini has unveiled the Urus concept, a 600 hp SUV aimed at the luxury segment, at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, marking its return to the high-performance 4x4 market.
Lamborghini has officially taken the wraps off its Urus SUV concept at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, confirming both the name and its intent to return to the luxury 4x4 market for the first time since the LM002 left production in 1992. The Urus is pitched as a third model line for the Italian marque, targeting an annual production of around 3,000 units and aiming squarely at the world’s most lucrative SUV markets, including the USA, UK, Germany, Russia, the Middle East and China.
At 4.99 metres long, 1.99 metres wide and just 1.66 metres high, the Urus sits lower and wider than most rivals, giving it a stance more in line with Lamborghini’s sports cars than traditional SUVs. Lamborghini claims the Urus will deliver 600 hp (440 kW) and set new benchmarks for both performance and emissions, with a focus on lightweight construction. The company says the Urus will emit less CO2 than any other vehicle in its segment, thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre and other advanced materials throughout the body and interior.
Design and technology
The Urus concept’s styling is unmistakably Lamborghini, with sharp lines, a steeply raked windscreen and large Y-shaped LED headlamps. The 24-inch double-spoke wheels, forged from matte-finish aluminium and fitted with carbon fibre winglets, dominate the profile. Conventional door mirrors are replaced with cameras feeding TFT screens inside the cabin, a feature that underlines the concept’s technical ambitions.
Aerodynamics play a key role, with an adaptive front splitter and an adjustable rear spoiler helping to balance approach angles for off-road use with high-speed stability. The Urus also features variable ground clearance, further enhancing its versatility. Permanent all-wheel drive is standard, as expected from the brand, and the interior is configured with four bucket seats, all constructed from Lamborghini’s Forged Composite carbon fibre material.
Interior and practicality
Inside, the Urus concept dispenses with Alcantara in favour of exposed carbon fibre and leather, with a skeletal centre tunnel running the length of the cabin. Each of the four bucket seats is positioned lower than in typical SUVs, aiming for a more sporting driving position. Both front and rear passengers have access to individual touchscreens for infotainment and climate control. The boot is designed to accommodate a family’s luggage, reinforcing Lamborghini’s claim that the Urus is as usable as it is dramatic.
Market ambitions and production
Lamborghini expects the Urus to broaden its appeal beyond traditional supercar buyers, targeting families and existing owners who have previously turned to luxury SUVs from other brands. The company is aiming for a production run of 3,000 units per year if the Urus moves from concept to reality. This would make it by far the highest-volume model in Lamborghini’s history. The brand has not confirmed a production date, but industry speculation suggests a launch window around 2015 if approved.
- 600 hp target output
- Permanent all-wheel drive
- Variable ground clearance
- Four bucket seats with carbon fibre construction
- Camera-based door mirrors
The Urus’s debut at Beijing reflects Lamborghini’s focus on China and other fast-growing SUV markets. The company is clear that the Urus is intended as a “very concrete idea for the future of Lamborghini”, rather than a flight of design fantasy. If given the green light for production, the Urus will compete with established luxury SUVs such as the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X6M, as well as new arrivals from Bentley and others.
For more on the Urus’s reveal and its context at the Beijing show, seeLamborghini Urus SUV Concept Unveiled at Beijing Motor Show
