Lamborghini Urus SUV Plug-In Hybrid Planned, Lamborghini’s 1st Plug-In Vehicle
Lamborghini will soon be offering a plug-in hybrid version of the Urus SUV, going by recent comments from R&D head Maurizio Reggiani.
What does “soon” mean? As the Urus SUV range will be making its debut sometime in 2018, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offering will probably be first appearing sometime around then, one would think.
The PHEV Urus SUV will be offered alongside a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 version.
Interestingly, the Urus — which will share the same platform as the Audi Q7 and the Bentley Bentayga — will be the company’s first production SUV since the LM002 (1986–1993). So, it’s been quite a while.
“The design (of the Urus) is pure Lamborghini,” commented Reggiani. “It has evolved considerably since the (2015) concept and the finished car is much better inside and out.”
Reggiani also noted that turbocharging will be “completely mandatory” for the model because … huge torque is “needed.”
“A supersports car is completely different; you need the responsiveness of the engine, to feel the spark of every cylinder. We will keep normally aspirated engines for our other models. They are still the best choice.”
Auto Car provides more:
“Reggiani said Lamborghini will concentrate its R&D efforts on power, weight and aerodynamics, because ‘handling is a function’ of these. ‘We want to be a leader here and have a chance to change the rules of the game,’ he added, alluding to new, as yet undisclosed developments.
“Reggiani said he sees a strong distinction between the firm’s 4-wheel-drive models and the growing number of rear-wheel-drive variants. A modern electronic chassis control system like that of the Huracán LP580-2 is no substitute for the ability of 4-wheel drive to transfer power to the road, he explained. Therefore, Lamborghini will continue to offer both driveline systems.”
While this news is a lot less interesting than the bomb that Jaguar dropped a few months back — revealing the launch of a very compelling production all-electric SUV within only a few years — it’s still worth taking note of. The ground is definitely starting to shift. …
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