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Lamborghini and Bentley may hold off on SUVs so VW can conserve cash

After surveying the European economic scene, Volkswagen may have decided now is not the time to launch utility vehicles with Bentley and Lamborghini badges. Bentley officials say they will continue to push for support for the EXP 9 F and Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelman has said planning for the Urus will continue until VW tells it to stop.
That decision could come on November 23, when VW's board will vote on the company's budget for equipment, factories and vehicles. With VW's sales slowing and the Euro economy slumping further, some industry watchers say the company is more likely to build its cash reserves than to introduce super-expensive luxury SUVs or crossovers.
"Such vehicles are anything but obligatory during a crisis," says Frankfurt-based Equinet AG analyst Tim Schuldt in a new Automotive News Europe story. "Delaying their launch would be no drama but help save costs."

Lamborghini turns the Huracan EVO into a tail-wagging rear-wheel-drive roadster

The latest evolution of the Lamborghini Huracan Evo loses its top and its front axle to deliver a wind-in-your-hair driving experience whether it's going forward or sideways. The company proudly explained the newest addition to its line-up relies on hardware — not software — to make driving as engaging and thrilling as possible. Lamborghini added Amazon Alexa integration to the Huracan earlier in 2020, but there's no guarantee the digital assistant will hear your voice commands when you're driving flat-out with the roof down. The two passengers sit low in the Huracan, and they're merely inches away from a naturally-aspirated, 5.2-liter V10 that screams and shouts as it develops 610 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 413 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm. These figures are a little bit lower than the ones posted by the 10-cylinder when it powers the all-wheel drive Huracan Evo. The rev-happy V10 spins the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that's quick when it needs to be, and docile when the occasion calls for it. Hitting 62 mph from a stop takes 3.5 seconds, meaning it's there before you've reached the end of this sentence, and its top speed checks in at 201 mph. Lamborghini re-tuned the Performance Traction Control System (P-TCS) to give the driver as much grip as possible in a wide variety of situations. If you don't want grip, however, the Huracan Evo is more than happy to go sideways thanks to clever, gyroscope-based technology that allows its rear end to break loose and limits the engine's torque output if it detects the oversteer angle crosses a pre-determined threshold. This function works when the driver selects Sport mode using a steering wheel-mounted switch; it's off in Strada (or street) mode. Even supercar manufacturers need to inject a generous dose of connectivity into their cars, and Lamborghini is no exception. There's an 8.4-inch touchscreen in the center stack that displays an infotainment system the firm developed in-house. It allows the front passengers to browse the internet on-the-go, make hands-free phone calls, and load Apple CarPlay. Android Auto isn't available, so motorists without an Apple device are out of luck. The 3,326-pound rear-wheel drive model stands out from its all-wheel drive counterpart thanks to model-specific front and rear ends shared with the hardtop variant. Lowering or raising its power-operated soft top takes 17 seconds, even at speeds of up to 30 mph.

The Lamborghini Urus finally starts production in April

It's been years since Lamborghini pulled back the cover on the Urus, the automaker's first SUV since the bold and boxy LM002. Since then we've gotten a few details on the twin-turbo V8 and the plug-in hybrid system, but no one outside of Lamborghini has had a chance to get behind the wheel. According to company CEO Stefano Domenicali, the wait won't be much longer as Lamborghini's newest model is slated to start production this spring. In an interview with Digital Trends, Domenicali stated that pre-production models will start rolling off the line in April. That means it will still be a few months before the first batch reaches customer hands. According to The Drive, Lamborghini has significantly expanded its facility in Sant'Agata, Italy, in order to meet production demands. Annual output for the Huracan and Aventador will be capped at 3,500 cars each. Look for similar output for the Urus. We know that the Urus will get a plug-in hybrid system, but don't look for a battery-powered Aventador anytime soon. The Urus will be the only model that gets the system. There are still a lot of unknowns when it comes to the Urus, so look for final numbers on power, performance, and price closer to final production. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Digital Trends via The Drive Plants/Manufacturing Lamborghini Crossover Future Vehicles Hybrid Luxury Off-Road Vehicles Performance stefano domenicali