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At the Beijing Motor
Show, Lamborghini has presented the Urus SUV concept, a
project that will share VW Group
underpinnings and take the brand on a new
route of chasing volumes (it hopes to sell
around 3,000 units per year) and potentially
towards a profitable future. |
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At the Beijing Motor
Show, Lamborghini has presented the Urus SUV concept, a
project that will share VW Group underpinnings and take
the brand on a new route of chasing volumes (it hopes to
sell around 3,000 units per year) and potentially
towards a profitable future. Following is the
Lamborghini press release for the Urus:
Output will be around 440 kW / 600 hp while at the
same time, the Urus will offer the lowest CO2 figure of
all comparable vehicles. As an SUV concept with four
generous seats, a versatile luggage compartment,
variable ground clearance and, of course, permanent
all-wheel drive, the Urus delivers unique driving fun
with virtually no limitations. The interior, too,
matches the standards of this super athlete with
innovative materials featuring carbon fiber technology
like the patented Forged Composite.
The luxury SUV segment is successful worldwide and
promises continued strong growth – a luxurious and
powerful SUV is the most emotional way to drive a
four-door vehicle equipped to meet all the demands of
everyday mobility and yet enjoy refined driving fun. The
Urus means that a Lamborghini can now be used by a
household as its primary car. This expands the brand’s
customer base enormously - appealing to families and to
the drivers of Lamborghini super sports cars who have
thus far driven SUV models from other brands. Target
markets are primarily the USA, the United Kingdom,
Germany, Russia, the Middle East and China. The annual
production volume could conceivably be around 3,000
vehicles.
“The Urus is a very concrete idea for the future of
Lamborghini – as a third model line and as the perfect
complement to our super sports cars,” says Stephan
Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.
“SUVs stand for freedom and emotion. SUVs make up one of
the most successful market segments worldwide. The Urus
is the most extreme interpretation of the SUV idea; it
is the Lamborghini of the SUVs.”
Heritage and Name
Permanent all-wheel drive is part of the Lamborghini
DNA; but the brand from Sant’Agata Bolognese is also no
stranger to the SUV segment - Lamborghini founded the
super-luxury SUV segment with the legendary LM002. When
it was unveiled in 1986, the LM002 was an absolutely
revolutionary vehicle. An automobile suitable for
off-road driving with a twelve-cylinder engine and 450
hp, a top speed of more than 210 km/h, a luxurious
interior and, above all, an absolutely stunning
appearance – it was utterly unthinkable at the time. The
Lamborghini LM002 remained in production until 1992.
And, although barely more than 300 units were ever
built, the LM002 has secured its place in automotive
history.
With the Urus,
Lamborghini designers and engineers have created a new
icon in automotive history – that much is certain. As
has long been the tradition at Lamborghini, its name is
derived once more from the world of bulls – the Urus,
also known as Aurochs, is one of the large, wild
ancestors of domestic cattle. Urus bulls could measure
up to 1,8 meters at the shoulder. The Spanish fighting
bull, as bred for the past 500 years, is still very
close to the Urus in its appearance.
Concept and Technology
The Urus is the Lamborghini among SUVs. Its concept
places design, performance and driving fun firmly and
uncompromisingly front and center and redefines the
benchmark for the competition. Yet it offers plenty of
space for four people and a generous amount of luggage
or shopping. The Urus is the Lamborghini for everyday
use, for the family, for leisure pursuits with friends.
Most importantly, however, it is a true Lamborghini. The
Urus has a unique, utterly unmistakable appearance. It
looks powerful, but not bulky. It is muscular and highly
athletic, but also elegant. At a length of 4,99 meters,
it fits perfectly into the sporty SUV class. At a height
of just 1,66 meters, however, it is considerably lower
than all its competitors. Together with its width of
1,99 meters, the Lamborghini Urus boasts the perfect
proportions for the super athlete in the segment.
The key to its performance is primarily the drive – the
heart of every Lamborghini. The target has been set –
expect around 440 kW / 600 hp. Permanent all-wheel drive
with traction control is, of course, a given.
One target is clearly defined – the Lamborghini Urus
will beat all comparable competitors when it comes to
CO2 emissions. One important prerequisite for this is
low weight. The Urus will be considerably lighter than
its competitors, sticking firmly to the Lamborghini
lightweight design philosophy. The steps to achieve this
include an intelligent material mix for the structure
and bodyshell and, for the first time, systematic
lightweight design in the interior, too. The consistent
application of innovative carbon fiber technologies is a
given - Automobili Lamborghini possesses unique know-how
in this particular field.
Lightweight design is the decisive prerequisite not only
for moderate fuel consumption, but also for dynamics and
handling. The Urus will set new benchmarks here, too. A
low center of gravity and a highly variable bodyshell
height are among the solutions. The Lamborghini SUV is
also notable for its innovative, adaptive aerodynamics.
In combination with the variable bodyshell height, the
height-adjustable front spoiler facilitates a good
approach angle and excellent obstacle clearance. At its
lowest setting, however, it aids stability at high
speeds. The form is, of course, aerodynamically refined.
At the upper edge of the rear windshield is a deflector
that diverts the airflow along the rear windshield and
onto the adjustable spoiler. In combination with the
likewise adaptive rear spoiler, the aerodynamic balance
of the Lamborghini Urus can even be adjusted to suit the
prevailing driving conditions.
Design
Lamborghini design is unique. Every Lamborghini is an
artwork of avant-garde design, a technical sculpture in
rapid movement. Every Lamborghini is pure and minimalist
- exhibiting a clear focus on what matters. The
Lamborghini Urus concept car adheres to this logic just
as firmly as the Aventador sports car. Extremely tight,
razor-sharp lines define a precision that is at the very
forefront of automotive design. And the clean, taut,
finely executed surfaces show the exceptional degree of
competence and experience possessed by Lamborghini in
design, construction and bodyshell manufacturing. The
result is a tremendously precise design language with a
strong technical appeal that is amazingly spirited and
light in its expression.
It starts at the front, which already displays the clear
family resemblance. The strong three-dimensionality with
sharp lines, a clear arrow form, large air intakes left
and right, the Y shape in the headlamps, the
aerodynamically refined function of the elements and the
lines that run from the hood over the roof to the rear
of the vehicle – these characteristics of the
Lamborghini design language are all evident in the Urus.
And yet every single detail has been reinterpreted – for
example, the headlamps now take on a horizontal,
heptagonal form and feature full LED technology
consisting of two arrays each with three
high-performance LEDs. LED light guides lend the daytime
running lights their characteristic Y-shape, while the
LED fog lamps are positioned beneath the huge air
intakes. Between them is the adaptive front spoiler.
Characteristic for the side view of the Urus is the
narrow window surface that tapers sharply toward the
rear. Together with the highly dynamic roofline and the
extremely muscular rear wheel arch, they create a taut
and powerfully sporty look. The marked indent formed
behind the front wheel arch by the air intake breaks the
side view to give it a surprising degree of lightness.
Substantial wheels are part of any Lamborghini,
especially if it redefines dynamics in the SUV segment –
the all-new 24-inch wheels sport a double-spoke design
and are forged from matte-finish aluminum. Five carbon
fiber winglets optimize ventilation. The Urus is painted
in a rich, lightly shimmering red that offers the ideal
contrast for the many bodyshell parts made from carbon
fiber reinforced polymer. A large proportion of the
front spoiler, the complete side sills and the mighty
rear diffuser all clearly display their carbon fiber
origins. There are no conventional exterior mirrors,
instead small and aerodynamically optimized cameras
monitor traffic conditions behind the vehicle. These
images are displayed via two TFT screens placed in
ergonomically perfect positions on the left and right of
the cockpit.
The rear end of the Urus is astonishingly round for a
Lamborghini; it looks powerful, but in no way bulky. The
narrow rear lights featuring the Y signature are
connected by a black strip that adds emphasis to the
car’s breadth. The attention paid by Lamborghini
designers to detail is evident everywhere, even on the
exhaust system. The four hexagonal end pipes are
carefully fitted into chrome surrounds.
Interior
The Lamborghini Urus completely redefines the term
sporty within the SUV segment, yet without restricting
its everyday usability. This is particularly evident in
its interior – the driver and up to three passengers
feel like they are wearing a perfectly made-to-measure
suit – carefully fitted, but comfortable. Yet there can
be no doubt that what we are dealing with here is the
ultimate sports car among SUVs. Virtually the complete
interior is – in keeping with the Lamborghini
lightweight design strategy – finished in carbon fiber
reinforced polymer.
Automobili Lamborghini possesses a unique competence in
the use of carbon materials, and exhibits this
innovative technology in the Urus concept car. The
center tunnel is particularly notable – an open,
skeletal carbon fiber structure made from Forged
Composite®. It carries through the entire interior and
is only partially clad in leather-upholstered
cushioning. Single cushions also clad the four bucket
seats. The seating position is lower and flatter than in
any other vehicle in the segment. Also all four bucket
seats are made from Forged Composite®.
The Lamborghini Urus concept car also features an
extremely minimized operating philosophy. Behind the
steering wheel are only the shift paddles for the
dual-clutch transmission. All other functions such as
indicators, lights and windshield wipers are
incorporated into either the multifunction steering
wheel or the center console. The driver is delivered
information via a freely programmable TFT screen behind
the steering wheel. Secondary functions like navigation,
entertainment and climate control are operated via a
touchscreen on the center tunnel. A further touchscreen
is available for rear seat passengers.
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