It has been a year ago the news arrived of a lot of construction going on behind the Automobili Lamborghini SpA headquarters in Sant'Agata ... a completely new factory was being built that would almost double the size of the existing assembly lines ... at the moment two lines are used, one for the Aventador and one for the Huracán ... but a third one will be added for the Urus, the SUV that should become the fastest production SUV on the market when deliveries start in 2018.

The Lamborghini Urus concept was unveiled back in 2012 strictly as a prototype showcase, much like the Lamborghini Estoque back in 2008 with no intentions of actually building either as a series model, but things do change sometimes, and while some regret the Estoque will probably never see any kind of production, the Urus will become the third model in the lineup at Sant'Agata from 2018 on.

If all goes as planned about 500 additional employees will start working in Sant'Agata to receive pre-painted Urus bodies from a Volkswagen factory in Bratislava, but the heart of the production will be in Italy, Ranieri Niccoli, industrial director at Lamborghini even mentioned it would be possible to have a fourth model built in Sant'Agata after 2018, the factory will be large enough by then.

No official information has been published on the Urus yet, but the most likely power will come from a V8 engine, probably turbocharged and aided by some kind of Hybrid power ... during an interview with Stephan Winkelmann, former CEO and Director it became obvious this would be the route to follow for the Lamborghini SUV, and only one body style would be offered, with either four or five seats only, not seven as in the Audi Q7 from which the basic 'MLB' architecture will be used.

With the Bentley Bentayga being at the top of the SUV market segment, and rumor about a more powerful Coupé styled Bentayga, it is important to notice the Lamborghini SUV will only be offered in one style and intentions are to offer a daily usable car ... but with a lot of power and by using a lightweight construction method with a lot of carbon fiber the acceleration from 0-100km/h should take less than 4 seconds while still being able to reach a top speed in excess of 300 km/h.

With a projected sales of 3,000 units of the Urus from 2018 this would double the current annual sales, but if the production model will keep those special seats seen on the concept and the rear view camera without mirrors is unlikely at best.

On the virtualizations we've made you will notice different wheels, somehow the 24-inch wheels with their carbon fiber fins might be too expensive for the 'standard' model, perhaps available as an option. For tires we've opted for the famous Pirelli Scorpion Verde units, remember the LM002 also had Pirelli Scorpion tires back in the Eighties.

We also added actual rear view mirrors on the doors, these would work better to get the Urus street legal worldwide, those rear view cameras are very cool looking, but the market for this high power SUV might prefer mirrors anyway. Also note the door handles, that little button on the Urus concept was impressive, but on an SUV you need door handles to pull open.

We do think the LED lights and taillights will remain, but for the US market the side markers will have to be added, orange at the front and red at the rear ... on other markets these might become white ... and being an SUV that can transport four or five people in a sporty environment at high speed you might need that additional ski box on the roof for added luggage space.

Mr Winkelmann confirmed only one model of the Urus would be available, but what if the market asks for something different ... like a high power V12 6x6 version with a raised suspension and an actual deck at the rear ... would be great to drive on the sand in Dubai.

Or an exclusive Urus Polar Explorer ... standing high on massive wheels with a custom hitch and lots of additional lights to brighten up the Northpole at night ... let's see that Bull in action ... and while we're on the customization route wouldn't it be a great idea to create a mobile office space from a Lamborghini Urus, slightly stretched to offer more legroom in the rear...

I'm sure once the Lamborghini Urus gets delivered to customers in 2018 it won't take long for some custom wheels and lowering suspension kits are available ... not everybody is happy with a factory original, $215,000 Raging Bull SUV.

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