Lamborghini’s upcoming Urus SUV, scheduled to launch in 2017, may be the first ever turbocharged model from the Italian sports car manufacturer. As emissions regulations are more stringent around the world, the Urus may be powered by a turbocharged V8 instead of the brand’s traditional naturally-aspirated V10 or V12 engines.
“An SUV could be a turbo engine for the first time for us,” Stephan Winkelmann told Auto Express at the launch of the Huracan. It’s not the first official hint at possible turbocharged Lamborghini engines, as R&D head Maurizio Reggiani earlier said the company would be forced to use turbocharged engines in the next three to four years.
There are no details about the V8 engine, but the most logical option would be the 552hp 4.0-liter twin turbocharged V8 unit used by parent company Audi AG in the RS6 and RS7. Since the Urus will share the MLB platform with the new Audi Q7 and Bentley SUV, sharing powertrains is a vital prerequisite for profitability.
Design-wise, the production Urus SUV will stay close to the 2012 concept vehicle (pictured), as Lamborghini chief designer Felipo Perini revealed. “In this moment it is very close [to the Urus concept]. We try to avoid concepts that are not feasible – we can’t afford it. The Urus is amazing, the way it moves. Our goal is to preserve this with the production car,” Perini said.
The Urus will feature an aggressive tuning for the suspension, steering and gearbox in order to be the sportiest SUV on the market.
By Dan Mihalascu
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