Lamborghini SUV nears production

Lamborghini’s highly-anticipated 2012 Beijing show stopper, the Urus SUV concept, is in the final stages of proving its worth as a production model.

Speaking at the launch of the Aventador LP700-4 Roadster in Miami this week, Lamborghini boss Stephan Winklemann told motoring.com.au the upcoming SUV is an important part of the brand’s future model portfolio and one that is close to nearing sign-off with parent company, Volkswagen AG.

“It will be on target [for a 2017 release] if we get the go-ahead,” said Mr Winklemann. “[But] the Volkswagen Group has not given the green light yet - the final decision is a group decision.”

Joining the conversation was Lamborghini design director Filippo Perini, who added: “We need a third model. It’s strategic for us.”

The update follows news last month that Audi board member and former Porsche R&D head, Wolfgang Durheimer, had given his “maximum support” to the development of Lamborghini’s first SUV.

The production version of the Urus SUV is said by those close to the project to adhere strongly to the form of the concept model, though it will see further development.

“Urus is not a concept. It is quite similar [to what will become the production model],” said Mr Winklemann.

“We will go further in the development of a third model, which will be an SUV car as it will not jeapordise what we are doing with our extreme sports cars. We want to continue to be consistent with our brand values.”

When asked if the Urus SUV would set a new entry price for the Lamborghini brand, the news was less positive, with Mr Winklemann saying simply: “In terms of pricing, it will be at same level as Gallardo.”

In Australia, that would see the Urus retail from around $410,000, making it at least $100,000 pricier than Porsche’s top-shelf Cayenne Turbo S ($294,000) and easily the most expensive SUV ever sold here.

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