Lamborghini Urus Set to Be World's Fastest SUV, May Get Hybrid Variant

The Lamborghini Urus has generated a lot of interest ever since its debut as a concept at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, with the auto industry and car enthusiasts eager to find out more details about the exotic SUV. And as Lamborghini finalises production plans for the car, it has revealed that it will be the fastest SUV in the world.

The Urus will trump the likes of the Bentley Bentayga - currently the fastest SUV in the world - and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. It will also be the first Lamborghini with a turbocharged engine.

Stephan Winkelmann, CEO, Lamborghini said: "Our car will be the first time Lamborghini has a turbocharged engine, a V8, and it will be the fastest SUV for sure. That has been a key objective."

Speaking at the launch of the new Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 in Qatar, Winkelmann added: "In terms of top speed, in terms of acceleration, in terms of everything (it will be the fastest SUV). It has to be, it's a Lamborghini."

Also Read: Lamborghini Reveals the RWD Huracan LP580-2

Apart from the high-output twin-turbo petrol V8 engine version, the Urus is likely to get a hybrid variant later. "We are looking into the opportunity of making the Urus the first Lamborghini ever to have (the option of) a second engine. It's a big challenge to cover the life cycle of any car with one engine; with the Urus, one of the obvious scenarios is hybridisation," he said.

Also Read: Lamborghini Reveals the Aventador SV Roadster; Only 500 to be Made

Winkelmann also confirmed that a hybrid Urus would be done primarily for eco reasons. "The car we have at launch, the V8 turbo, will be all about performance, and the other one will be more about reduction of emissions than absolute performance, but also because packaging-wise, and power-to-weight-wise, a car like the Urus is far more suitable for, let's say, a first attempt at hybridisation than one of our super-sports cars."

Also Read: Lamborghini Charts Road Map for India

Lamborghini will construct a separate facility altogether to build the Urus. The factory will be close to its current Sant'Agata Bolognese facility and will see an investment of more than $400 million. The new SUV plant means that the carmaker will also hire 500 more people, which is a big expansion for the company.

The Lamborghini Urus is all set to be launched in 2018, with around 3,000 units of the car expected to be sold every year. The SUV is likely to make it to India as well.