The First Twin-Turbo Lamborghini Will be an SUV

BOLD RIDE

Copyright © 2015 Bold Ride LLC.

 

Posted by Zach Doell 

                               

 

With increased emissions restriction and a need to raise corporate fuel economy ratings, the drive towards smaller engine displacements and turbocharging has become a common theme amongst today’s automakers. 

 

To date however, Lamborghini has eschewed the use of turbocharging in favor of bombastic, naturally aspirated V10 and V12 engines, but that may be changing as well.

It has been revealed that Lamborghini’s upcoming Urus SUV—a controversial vehicle in itself—will buck the brand’s trend and utilize a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which will be exclusive to that model. Lamborghini R&D chief Maurizio Reggiani told Autocar that the turbocharged 4.0-liter engine meets crucial fuel efficiency needs, but also provides much needed low-end torque.

“In acceleration and in off-road capability it is really important to have a high level of torque,” said Reggiani. “We decided that a turbo for a super sport SUV is the best choice.”
Company CEO Stephan Winkelmann recently got to test a prototype fitted with the twin-turbo V8 and admitted, “I was astonished; it [performance] was more than any of us expected, which is a car that is very powerful but easy to drive, with very good handling.”

He praised the vehicle as “a true Lamborghini” and noted it will be the “fastest among SUVs.” That’s a claim similarly shared by the new 187 mph Bentley Bentayga, which is expected to also share its Volkswagen platform with the new Urus SUV. Them’s fightin’ words.

Winkelmann also revealed a plug-in hybrid variant is under development for a possible release and that all Urus SUVs will be all-wheel drive only. This keeps tradition with the brand’s first foray into SUV-dom, which came in 1986 with the four-wheel drive (V12-powered) Lamborghini LM002.

The design is said to have changed since the concept (pictured) first debuted at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show. The exterior has been evolved and the interior has reportedly been redesigned to offer more room. The British publication also states that even more knife-edged variants are being considered, including a Superveloce “SV” model.

If a Lamborghini SUV sounds like your cup of tea, don’t worry, you have time to save up. The model is pegged to be revealed at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, or perhaps earlier in the fall of 2017 if production is expedited. Price is yet to be determined, but considering its Lamborghini origins…these SUVs won’t come cheap.