It is official folks, Lamborghini has formally confirmed that full-scale production of the 2012 Urus SUV concept has been given the green light. The announcement comes just days after Italian media said pretty much the same thing, but we're surprised that Audi Mediaservices is the channel that spilled the beans.
For now, details are rather scarce, but we can tell you the Urus will be the third series in Lamborghini's range and will roll off the line in 2018.
The new vehicle will be produced in Sant’Agata Bolognese and will herald additional growth and significant opportunities, helped by the financial backing of the Italian government.
Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann declares: “This is a proud moment for everybody in Lamborghini. The introduction of a third model line endorses the stable and sustainable growth of the company and signifies for us the beginning of a new era. The new SUV will be made in Sant’Agata Bolognese, demonstrating our commitment to safeguarding the values of ‘Made in Italy’ worldwide.”
It's only natural that Winkelmann would use the word "proud", since he can be credited with the Urus' arrival. As Volkswagen Group bosses continued to delay the approval of this project, he pressed them with veiled statements made over the course of three years. Finally, it seems, he got what he wanted.
We're pretty sure that lots of Lamborghini fans are going to be pleased with the news. Even though an SUV can be viewed as a dilution of this prestigious brand, most customers in the Middle East and the US are probably begging 2018 to come sooner.
Earlier insider reports suggested the Urus may be turbocharged and/or hybridized by the time of its launch. We're sure that it looks the part and is made using the latest forged composite carbon fiber technology.
All we know is that it's time to crack open the champagne bottle...
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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