Lamborghini Urus 2018: spy shots

Lamborghini has been spotted honing its forthcoming Urus SUV on the racetrack, with the heavily camouflaged engineering mule revealing a silhouette that has lost little in its transition from concept car to production model.

Originally revealed at the 2012 Beijing motor show, the Urus concept introduced a design that was reminiscent of a pumped-up Huracan. Thankfully, it appears this will be the production reality, too.

The rear bumper design appears to have been re-jigged as the quad exhaust tips are no longer integrated, while a diffuser element is also missing from the development vehicle.

Furthermore, the tailgate has been modified with a flatter, sharply creased design, which suggests a split tailgate may be on offer. However, the bootlid and roofline spoilers from the concept remain.

The production cabin is expected to be more restrained than the concept's wild-looking affair.

Changes to the front-end are less pronounced, with the bonnet and headlights carrying over. Nevertheless, the grille opening on the production car is much larger and also encroaches on the side air intakes, while the front lip spoiler now has a split design.

Traditional door handles and side mirrors have been added as part of the side profile modifications, while the large air intakes behind the front wheelarches have been deleted. The glasshouse and overall shape is otherwise identical.

Details on the interior remain scarce as it has not been spied yet, but the production cabin is expected to be more restrained than the concept's wild-looking affair.

2018 Lamborghini Urus concept

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2018 Lamborghini Urus concept

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2018 Lamborghini Urus concept

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Measurements from the concept are likely to be more or less preserved, meaning the large SUV will be around 4990mm long, 1990mm wide and 1660mm tall.

Anticipated to ride on Volkswagen Group's 'MLB' platform, the newest Lamborghini will share its underpinnings with the current-generation Bentley Bentayga and Audi Q7, as well as the next-gen Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg.

As previously reported, the Urus is set be the first model in Lamborghini's history to be available with more than one engine, with a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol or plug-in hybrid to choose from.

Official outputs for the bent-eight are not yet known, but Lamborghini boss Stefano Domenicali told European publication Automotive News this week that it is expected to produce around 485kW.

The Urus will signal the Italian carmaker's return to the SUV fray after its V12-powered LM002 predecessor launched in 1986.

Alternatively, the specific set-up for the plug-in hybrid powertrain continues to be shrouded in mystery. However, a clue may be found in the undefined petrol-electric combination employed by the Urus concept, which developed 440kW.

Set to enter production and go on-sale globally in 2018, the Urus will signal the Italian carmaker's return to the SUV fray after its V12-powered LM002 predecessor launched in 1986, before going out of production in 1993 with only 328 units built.

The Urus will become the third model in Lamborghini's global line-up – alongside the aforementioned Huracan and range-topping Aventador – but an Australian birth is yet to be confirmed.

Set to go up against the Bentley Bentayga W12 price-wise, the SUV will also attract the attention of the presumably less-expensive BMW X5/X6 M twins, as well as the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S wagon and coupe.

Mr Domenicali said the production version of the Urus will be unveiled by the end of the year, with the reveal to take place at the company's Sant'Agata Bolognese factory – which is currently being doubled in size to accommodate production of the SUV.

Does the Urus have a place in the Lamborghini supercar line-up, or is it a sign of the world going SUV mad? Tell us what you think in the comments below.