Lamborghini will launch its first hybrid in 2018

Lamborghini's upcoming Urus SUV is going to be electrifying - literally.The Italian sports car maker has confirmed that its high-riding SUV - the first off-roader to wear the Raging Bull logo since the LM002 of the 1980s - will be the company's first foray into electric propulsion with a plug-in hybrid variant as part of the model range.

Lamborghini's research and development chief, Maurizio Regianni, told Britain's Autocar the Urus would be the only Lamborghini to feature hybrid technology in the foreseeable future, leaving its Huracan and Aventador sportscars to be powered by naturally-aspirated V10 and V12 engines respectively.

Final details of the hybrid system, its outputs, and electric range are still unknown at this point in time, but a pre-production Urus is expected to be revealed at the 2017 Geneva motor show in March ahead of the new model's 2018 production debut.

Reggiani also confirmed that turbocharging would be "completely mandatory" for a heavy SUV like the Urus, with the likelihood that it would be powered by the same twin-turbo 4.0-litre petrol V8 as the Audi RS6/ RS7 which produces up to 445kW and 750Nm.

That information also indicates that the production Urus is likely to lean heavily on the available technology available in other high-end Volkswagen Group SUVs including the Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga, which both feature 48-volt electrical architecture for high-tech turbo chargers and active suspension systems.

But Reggiani has assured the Urus' appearance will be completely unique, saying, "the design is pure Lamborghini."

Class-leading handling, and a focus on weight, power, and aerodynamics will also ensure that the Urus maintains a link to the more focussed performance cars in Lamborghini's range.

Source: stuff.co.nz