WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.
Beijing Motor Show 2012: Automobili Lamborghini presents the ultimate super athlete in the SUV segment.
Automobili Lamborghini presents the ultimate super athlete in the SUV segment. With the Urus concept car, Lamborghini is completely redefining dynamics and design in this category. The Urus combines unique design, a fascinating interior and outstanding performance with versatility and everyday usability.
Output of around 440 kW / 600 hp and Lamborghini's excellent know-how in the field of lightweight design technologies guarantee breathtaking dynamics. 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 car's interior matches the standards of this super athlete with innovative materials featuring carbon fiber technology like the patented Forged Composite®. Available content includes general views and a still image. Additional content will be available during the Beijing Motorshow.
Press Release:
Lamborghini Urus –
The SUV super athlete.
· Lamborghini presents SUV concept vehicle with extreme
performance
· Unique, powerfully dynamic design, interior with carbon
fiber innovations such as Forged Composite®
· Breathtaking dynamics thanks to 440 kW / 600 hp and
lightweight design technology; best in class CO2 figure
among the competition
Beijing/Sant’Agata Bolognese, April 22, 2012 - At the 2012 Beijing Motor
Show, Automobili Lamborghini presents the ultimate super athlete in the SUV
segment. With the Urus concept car, Lamborghini is completely redefining
dynamics and design in this category. The Urus combines unique design, a
fascinating interior and outstanding performance with versatility and
everyday usability.
Output of around 440 kW / 600 hp and Lamborghini’s excellent know-how in
the field of lightweight design technologies guarantee breathtaking dynamics.
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 avantgarde
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 doublespoke
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.
