Lamborghini have finally thrown in the towel. News of their new concept SUV made its way to the petrolhead grapevine long before the company made their official announcement. Soon teaser images of the model were let loose. Even the name – the Urus – walked out the factory doors unescorted.
So be it then. Just two days before the Beijing Motor Show kicks off, Lamborghini have officially confirmed details about the Urus, including a lightweight chassis, 400hp engine, and ‘perfect proportions for the super athlete’. In the automotive world, this certainly let the bull loose among the fine china.
This got us thinking though at crankandpiston. Sure the Urus – certainly a handsome beast – is a step away from the 300+kph, sub-4s 0-100kph times supercars that have adorned bedroom walls for many years. Saying that, it’s not an original concept for Lamborghini either (anyone remember the LM002?). So we started the hunt for some of the more unorthodox Lambos to have graced the city streets. You may already have seen our Benedict Radcliffe post…
Take Jon Olsson’s Gallardo ski transporter, for example, which has become an internet sensation in its own right after completing more than 21,000 kilometres across nine countries with alpine ski racer – and gumball runner – Olsson at the wheel.
Then there’s this amphibious Countach replica from British designer Mike Ryan. Even in its prime, the V12 brute was a bit of a handful on land, let alone on the water. And yet, apparently, the Countach’s sporting aerodynamics made it a sturdy craft, even if it was a nightmare to build.
We’ve got to give the Italian State Polizia credit too for their Gallardo fleet: chases were usually won before they were run. We’ll ignore the fact that one of the aforementioned models ended up wrapped around a Mercedes.
This gold edition Aventador seemed an apt bookend though: beautiful but just a little ridiculous. How like Lamborghini.