2012 Lamborghini SUV Concept
Beijing gets a look at Urus
By Shahzad Sheikh
Watch out Range Rover, move over Cayenne, don’t bother getting up this morning X6M, there’s a new 4×4 kid on the block, or potentially anyway.
The Lamborghini Urus is named after a breed of bull that is very wide-shouldered, hence presenting an easier target, or more mass to smack you with, depending on your bravery levels. Either way, it may be a whole lot of bull, but it looks ready to roll.
Stepping out at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show the remarkably lightweight carbon-fibre bodied SUV has permanent all-wheel drive and four seats inside. It’s large though at 4990mm long. But at only 1660mm tall it’s certainly a bit more coupe like that its key rivals. Performance is from a 600bhp V12 engine (150bhp up from the original 1986 LM002 Lambo V12 off-roader).
Production isn’t confirm but President and CEO says: ‘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. 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.’
Looking a bit like an extended Gallardo on stilts – although it has adjustable height, the concept features massive 24-inch wheels of matte-finish aluminium and is painted in shimmering red. There are small rear-view cameras instead of mirrors. The instrument panel inside is suitably high-tech with another touch screen for the rear passengers.
I like the Urus concept a lot, but what I find somewhat saddening is that Lamborghini seems to have completely forgotten about the Estoque concept and isn’t making any effort to get it into production. I’m a huge fan of the raging bull, and I’ll never give the Urus or the Estoque as much respect as a thoroughbred like the Aventador. But I still find the Estoque far more appealing than the Urus and also, more worthy of reaching the production stage.
Then again, the fact that Porsche released the Cayenne much before the Panamera still gives me hope that the Estoque will see the light of day sometime in the future. Come on Lamborghini, build the Estoque and show the Maserati Quattroporte how it’s done.