2018 Lamborghini Urus release date, specs news: New SUV range to have the first and only plug-in hybrid of Italian automaker

Lamborghini has confirmed that the new Urus will go into production next year and will be available for purchase in 2018. It will be the first sports utility vehicle of the Italian automobile manufacturer since the debut of the LM002 in 1986.

In an interview with Autocar, Maurizio Reggiani, Research and Development (R&D) director, revealed that the upcoming SUV range will feature the first and only plug-in hybrid of the Italian brand. It will coexist alongside a variant powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine.

R&D is said to be focusing its efforts on power, weight and aerodynamics in order to deliver optimal levels of handing. Advancements made in these areas will also help increase efficiency and reach emission targets.

Reggiani also revealed that torque is important for the upcoming SUV range and that they do not have plans to make turbocharging mandatory for the Urus.

"A supersports car is completely different; you need the responsiveness of the engine, to feel the spark of every cylinder. We will keep normally aspirated engines for our other models. They are still the best choice," he said.

Given this, it will be interesting to see which kind of electric motor is integrated into the plug-in hybrid version which will deliver the amount of torque needed.

In terms of design, the 2018 Lamborghini Urus will still be based on the concept vehicle that was introduced at the Beijing Auto Show in 2012. However, its design has evolved since then and that "the finished car is much better inside and out." Reggiani revealed that the design of the Urus will retain the classic design language of Lamborghini.

When the upcoming SUV enters production, it will be built using the same platform as the Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga. However, given that its release is still almost a year away, no other details about the forthcoming vehicle have been revealed.