Update: A press release has just been issued by Audi AG announcing the production of the Lamborghini Urus. Its official introduction is set for 2018, just one year behind the initially projected date. Production will occur at the Sant'Agata Bolognese factory site, which will see 500 new employees and an increase from 80,000 square meters to 150,000 to handle the project, confirming the reports from Bloomberg Business. Target markets for the Urus include the USA, China, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, Germany and Russia, with a projected 3,000 vehicles sold annually. We were first introduced to it as a concept in 2013, when it was predicted that the Urus, Lamborghini's first SUV for the 21st century, would make it to production by 2017. According to reports from Bloomberg, they seem to be keeping to that time table rather successfully. Lamborghini has reportedly been in talks with the Italian government about production of the new vehicle, and as Bloomberg Business reported May 25, an agreement has been reached concerning tax breaks for the company.
Sources close to the company who chose to remain unnamed in the article reportedly told Bloomberg that the marque plans to hire as many as 500 people to ensure proper production occurs, and in exchange will receive up to $87 million in tax breaks and other benefits. The official announcement of the agreement is scheduled to be made during a press conference today, which will be attended by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann and Audi AG CEO Rupert Stadler.
On April 8, we reported another conversation between Bloomberg and Winkelmann about the growth of the SUV segment and luxury automotive sales around the world. Lamborghini will be joining Bentley, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce in the release of a luxury SUV, as the three have already introduced their Bentayga, F-Pace and Project Cullinan, respectively.
Initial reports of the Urus predicted a 0-60 mph time of just 3 seconds from a projected 4.0-liter V8 with an evenly matched 600 hp and 600 lb-ft, and we can only hope that those figures have remained the same, or have been improved. Stay with us for more updates on the pending introduction of the Urus, and take a moment to browse our exclusive listings of Lamborhginis for sale to find your perfect bull.
