Lamborghini Urus SUV Concept Unveiled at Beijing Motor Show
Lamborghini presented its Urus SUV concept at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, previewing a 600-horsepower, all-wheel-drive model aimed at expanding the brand’s reach.
Lamborghini took the wraps off its Urus SUV concept at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, signalling the Italian marque’s intent to enter the luxury SUV segment with a 600-horsepower, all-wheel-drive machine. The Urus is only the second off-roader in Lamborghini’s history, following the LM002 of the 1980s, and it arrives with ambitions to more than double the company’s annual sales.
The Urus stands out with sharp, angular lines and proportions closer to a high-riding coupé than a traditional SUV. At 4,990mm long and only 1,660mm tall, the concept is lower and sleeker than most rivals. Lamborghini’s design language is evident throughout, with pronounced wheel arches and a steeply raked rear window. The name ‘Urus’ refers to the wild ancestor of modern cattle, tying into the brand’s bull-themed heritage.
Powertrain targets and technical details
Lamborghini is targeting 600 horsepower for the production Urus, though the company has not confirmed the engine configuration. The official line is that the Urus will deliver the lowest CO2 emissions in its class, suggesting a move towards turbocharging and possibly hybridisation. The concept features a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a Torsen torque-sensing four-wheel-drive system, with electronic torque vectoring to optimise handling. Lamborghini claims a 0-60mph time of around four seconds is the goal for the production version.
Market positioning and production outlook
Lamborghini’s CEO at the time, Stephan Winkelmann, indicated that the Urus could push the brand’s annual sales up from 1,602 units in 2011 to as many as 5,000 per year. Pricing for the production model was expected to start at around $100,000, rising to $200,000 depending on specification, placing it directly against the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and other high-end SUVs. Lamborghini had not confirmed a production site in 2012, but later developments pointed to Slovakia as a likely location for series manufacturing.
The Urus concept’s debut in Beijing was a clear signal of Lamborghini’s interest in the Chinese market, which had become a key battleground for luxury brands. With the SUV segment booming globally, the Urus was positioned to attract new buyers to the marque while retaining the performance and exclusivity expected of a Lamborghini. Early details remained deliberately vague, with the company leaving scope to refine the powertrain and chassis ahead of a planned launch after 2015.
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- /lamborghini-wants-to-introduce-the-urus-suv-by-2017, Lamborghini Targets 2017 Launch for Urus SUV
- /report-lambo-suv-to-be-manufactured-in-slovakia, Lamborghini Urus SUV Production Planned for Slovakia from 2017
