The Lamborghini Urus super SUV is set to receive a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, which will help it bring the fight to BMW’s upcoming electrified XM SUV.
Our spy photographers have captured a prototype version of the Urus PHEV for the first time during testing. It was spied with some prototype PHEV versions of the next-generation Porsche Panamera and facelifted Cayenne.
Lamborghini has previously said it’s launching its first hybrid series-production vehicle in 2023. It’s expected this will be the Urus PHEV, with the rest of the Lamborghini range to be electrified by the end of 2024.
At this stage it’s unclear what will be under the bonnet of the Lamborghini Urus PHEV, but it could share its plug-in hybrid powertrain with Porsche.
One option Lamborghini could draw from is the PHEV powertrain from the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid. It comprises a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor and a 17.9kWh lithium-ion battery, with total system outputs of 500kW of power and 900Nm of torque.
These outputs are up 13kW and 50Nm on the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine in the ‘regular’ Urus.
The upcoming BMW XM, which is set to be globally revealed later in the year, is powered by a “newly-developed” V8 engine mated to an electric motor, with claimed system outputs of 480kW and 800Nm.
On the design front, we’ve previously reported that there’s a facelifted version of the Urus coming in 2022. It’s unclear if this will include any exterior or interior design changes.
This particular spied Urus PHEV prototype looks exactly the same on the outside as the current model with its quad exhaust tips, but it has obvious addition of a charging flap on the left-hand side rear wheel arch.
There’s also a sticker on the windscreen which confirms the prototype is a plug-in hybrid.
The prototype is finished in a black paint and there isn’t any camouflage on the vehicle whatsoever.
In addition to this PHEV, Lamborghini is also working on a hotter version of the Urus that’ll reportedly pack more power.
The upcoming hotter Urus, which could wear the Evo name, was recently spied in prototype form wearing a reworked front fascia with different side air intakes and a reworked upper grille cutout, among other minor changes.
Lamborghini’s roadmap to electrification will culminate in the first all-electric Lamborghini model, which will arrive “by the second half of the decade”.
The company hasn’t revealed any details about its first electric vehicle (EV), other than it’ll be a new, fourth model line for the brand.
Previous rumours have indicated that this EV could be an all-electric 2+2 grand tourer which could look similar to the Estoque sedan concept from 2008, and the Asterion concept from 2014.
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