2019 Lamborghini Urus Sport Utility 4d on 2040-cars

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Chinese patent filing may mean Lamborghini Urus closer to production

The Urus SUV still hasn't received the official green light for production, but that hasn't stopped Lamborghini from protecting its performance crossover in the land of stolen vehicle designs. These patent drawings submitted in China show what appear to be the Urus in the same concept form that we first saw last year at the Beijing Motor Show.
Last we heard, the Volkswagen Group had put development of the Urus on hold even though, more recently, the Bentley EXP 9 F (aka, the Falcon) has reportedly been given the nod. Although the existence of these patent images don't necessarily mean the Urus is going into production, they are at least another excuse to debate the SUV's stealth-bomber-style lines.

Lamborghini Asterion could still see showrooms

At the 2014 Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann told Maxim after the introduction of the stunning Asterion hybrid, "I strongly believe that this is not a car that will be in production, and we will not do it." However, the Asterion concept came more than a year after Winklemann told that same magazine, at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, that "Lamborghini was not interested in hybrids." He repeated the sentiment in Paris, saying, "We're still not interested." Well, someone at Lamborghini (or the Volkswagen Group?) does appear to be interested. The company's head of R&D, Maurizio Reggiani, told Autocar the story of the Asterion's development "started a couple of years ago" and is still being carried out in order to understand a real world hybrid application that would satisfy Lamborghini brand values – meaning electric assistance for a naturally aspirated engine with a high cylinder count. Reggiani never hints about the Asterion actually going on sale, but does tell Autocar, "The discussions inside Lamborghini now are about the potential cost of the car," and how it would be positioned. Having been told that it could sell for the price of the Aventador plus the hybrid drivetrain, Autocar figures an MSRP of 350,000 pounds ($551K US). The phrase "hybrid supercar" immediately brings three cracking coupes to mind, but the Asterion – were it to make production – wouldn't target that group; said Winklemann in that Maxim interview, "It's not meant to go on the racetrack. The acceleration is good, and the top speed, but in handling it would be out-beaten by the others. It's more a hyper-cruiser." We're fine with that, Mr. Winklemann – we think the Aston Martin Vanquish, Bentley Continental GT and Ferrari F12 Berlinetta could use the company. Bring it.

Get a closer look at the 830-horsepower Lamborghini SCV12 track car

Lamborghini has just released a set of photos and video of its upcoming SCV12 hypercar, giving us a clearer look. The track-only machine does look similarly sized to the Aventador, but it apparently doesn't share much with the road car. The closest relation is has to the Aventador is the use of a naturally aspirated V12 engine. But this one is the most-powerful naturally aspirated V12 ever built by Lamborghini. It makes 830 horsepower, and that's partly made possible by the car's aerodynamics and intake manifold. The car features a huge roof intake scoop, and the hood has several vents that channel air to the scoop. At speed, these components create a supercharging effect, pushing more air into the engine than what it would pull in naturally. The engine is connected to a six-speed sequential transmission and powers only the rear wheels. Previous reports have mentioned the SCV12 will get a trick limited-slip differential. The SCV12's chassis and aerodynamics have other impressive details. The car produces more downforce than a GT3-class race car thanks to its huge custom carbon fiber rear wing and array of dive planes and splitters. Lamborghini says the SCV12 uses a unique carbon fiber chassis that uses other components such as transmission as structural members. The rear pushrod suspension is actually partly connected to the transmission. The SCV12 also features magnesium wheels wrapped in slick Pirelli tires specific to the Lamborghini. Besides the car, buyers of the SCV12 will also get to participate in a variety of driving programs and famous racetracks and get coaching from five-time Le Mans winner Emanuele Pirro. Technical support will be provided by Squadra Corse. Details such as pricing and number of units have yet to be revealed, but we won't have long to wait as Lamborghini will unveil the car later this summer. We wouldn't be surprised if the car costs well into the seven-figure range. Previous reports have suggested only 40 will be built. Related Video: